Employment Options for School-Based SLPs
Whether you are just starting your career as a school-based SLP or making a change, there are many work options to consider. These questions and answers will help you determine what's right for you.
Should I work as an employee of a school district?
School districts employees typically receive:
- Annual salary with year-to-year step increases.
- Salary supplements, if available, based on your credentials (ASHA's CCC), serving as a CF mentor, or for multilingual service delivery.
- State and/or local teacher retirement or pension plans (403B public school, 401k private, for profit schools).
- Work hours based on school schedule.
- Support for continuing education.
- Support for ASHA dues and state licensure.
- Health insurance that may include dental and vision coverage.
- State and/or local retirement plans.
- Paid holidays and leave time.
- 9–12 month work schedule.
- Opportunity to work during the summer school to provide extended school year (ESY) services.
- Access to join the teachers union and receive advocacy support.
Should I work for a contract company?
Contract companies typically offer:
- Annual salaries or hourly rates.
- Support for continuing education.
- Support for ASHA dues and state licensure may be available.
- Health insurance that may include dental and vision coverage.
- Retirement plan options such as 401(k).
- Paid holidays and leave time.
- Relocation assistance.
- Flexible hours and paid documentation time.
- Flexibility to shift contract assignments between schools, districts, or states should you relocate or if your current placement is not a good fit.
Should I work as an independent contractor with a school district?
SLPs may contract directly with school districts to provide services. In these cases, it’s important to have a written contract in place to include hours, hourly rate, pay schedule, caseload, and any additional duties or expectations. In these arrangements:
- Schedules are flexible and based on your availability.
- You may be paid for time spent in meetings and completing documentation.
- Pay is based upon hours worked.
- Additional duties may not be assigned, such as bus duty, hall duty, etc.
- You may not be covered by or eligible to join the teacher's union.
- Benefits including health insurance, or retirement plans are not included.
- Hourly pay rates may be higher than if you were an employee of the school district.
- Taxes and Social Security may not be withheld from your pay.
