Communication Disorders
Health Professions · federal classification: Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,526 | $54,126 to $62,720 | 213 | 98% |
| Master's Degree | $65,739 | $60,679 to $72,213 | 250 | 100% |
| Doctoral Degree | $84,637 | $78,520 to $90,939 | 31 | 100% |
| First Professional Degree | $90,497 | $82,976 to $98,740 | 7 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +17% (2025 to 2035), about 38,000 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $107,310 | +17.9% | 24,900 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $97,870 | +16.6% | 12,500 |
| Audiologists | $95,780 | +11% | 600 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Where this is studied
The 8 colleges where the most students complete a communication disorders program, of 362 that report one. Ordered by number of completions only: this is where people study it, not a judgement about where to.
- Baylor University
- Utah State University
- Emerson College
- University of Central Florida
- New York University
- California State University-Northridge
- San Diego State University
- University of South Florida
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.