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Healthcare professionals that diagnose and treat people with speech and language difficulties include speech-language pathologists, also referred to as speech therapists. Speech therapists are essential in Mississippi for assisting people who are having trouble swallowing and communicating. The state’s need for speech-language pathologists is growing, which is driving up compensation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Mississippi’s average yearly pay for speech-language pathologists is $76,680 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023). However, wages might differ based on a number of variables, including years of experience, level of education, and the clinic’s or hospital’s location. In Mississippi, speech therapists in the top 10% make about $107,660 a year, while those in the bottom 10% make less than $48,270.
SLPs can find employment in a variety of places in Mississippi, including private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and schools. Outpatient care facilities and general medical and surgical hospitals in the state offer the greatest wages for speech therapists, with average salaries 10% and 5% greater respectively. Speech therapists in elementary and secondary schools typically earn slightly less.
In order to practice as a speech-language pathologist in Mississippi, one needs to be licensed by the state board and possess a Master’s degree in the field. They must also successfully finish a clinical fellowship and the Praxis test.
In conclusion, speech-language pathologists in Mississippi are extremely important in treating people who have trouble speaking or swallowing. Salary increases are being driven by the state’s growing need for speech therapists. In Mississippi, speech-language pathologists make an average of $76,680 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) a year, but salaries might vary based on a number of factors. The state’s outpatient care facilities and general medical and surgical hospitals offer the best salaries for speech therapists, who can work in a variety of settings.
Mississippi Speech-Language Pathologist Salaries – Visualized
Speech-Language Pathologist Salary by Industry in Mississippi
Speech-Language Pathologists Salaries in urban areas of Mississippi
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 240 | $79,720 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 90 | $69,500 |
| Jackson, MS | 330 | $83,770 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Speech-Language Pathologists Salaries in rural areas of Mississippi
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 370 | $75,630 |
| Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 160 | $70,870 |
| Southeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 160 | $69,570 |
| Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 90 | $75,750 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
What is it like to work as an SLP in Mississippi?
Depending on the area, a speech-language pathologist’s job can vary substantially in Mississippi. Here is a look at three cities in the state and what distinctions speech therapists could experience in their daily lives.
Jackson: With a population of over 170,000, Jackson serves as Mississippi’s capital. Jackson is the state’s largest city, therefore speech-language pathologists working there may have access to a greater variety of employment options in places including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and private clinics. Additionally, they might have more patients available to them, which might increase demand for their services.
Gulfport: With a population of over 70,000, Gulfport is a coastal city on the Gulf of Mexico. The working environment for speech-language pathologists in Gulfport could be different from that in other cities. For instance, they can come across individuals who have trouble communicating because of hearing loss brought on by continual exposure to loud noises at work or during leisure time on the shore.
Tupelo: With a population of over 38,000, Tupelo is a city in the northeastern region of Mississippi. There can be a different patient population for speech-language pathologists in Tupelo compared to other cities in the state. For instance, they might come across more patients who struggle with speech and language due to neurological diseases like stroke or traumatic brain injury.
In conclusion, the location can have a significant impact on a speech-language pathologist’s quality of life in Mississippi. Jackson may provide speech therapists a wider variety of employment options and a larger patient base. They might run into patients in Gulfport who have trouble communicating because of hearing loss. They might come across more people in Tupelo who have neurological diseases that are causing speech and language problems.