General
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Communication Disorders Sciences And Services.
Entry Level Salary
$38,000
Median Salary
$73,158
Unemployment Rate
2.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
13.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,926,320
Entry (Early)
$38,000
Median (Prime)
$73,158
High (Prime)
$78,094
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-113k
+188k
+228k
$25k / yr
-203k
+98k
+138k
$50k / yr
-293k
+8k
+48k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
27
$25k / yr
Never
38
35
$50k / yr
Never
60
48
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-187%
90%
127%
$50k / yr
-135%
4%
22%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate72.9%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Speech-language pathologists
40.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,228
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,000|$95,410
openings
13,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15%
Audiologists
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,000|$92,120
openings
700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.5%
Elementary and middle school teachers
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Physicians
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$12,495
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,000|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Registered nurses
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,000|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Special education teachers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,354|$64,270
openings
37,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.4%
Medical and health services managers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,942
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,542|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%
Pharmacists
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$111,425
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$120,000|$137,480
openings
14,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
Postsecondary teachers
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$7,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Management occupations
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$84,413|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| communication disorders sciences and services. | Undergrad Certificate | 1 | $51,562 - $51,562 |
| communication disorders sciences and services. | Associate's Degree | 3 | $45,689 - $45,689 |
| communication disorders sciences and services. | Bachelor's Degree | 206 | $11,185 - $81,021 |
| communication disorders sciences and services. | Master's Degree | 223 | $36,075 - $99,007 |
| communication disorders sciences and services. | Doctoral Degree | 38 | $73,966 - $103,550 |
| communication disorders sciences and services. | First Professional Degree | 9 | $58,181 - $81,952 |
| communication disorders sciences and services. | Graduate Certificate | 2 | $70,135 - $70,135 |