Speech Therapy Assistant

Support speech and language therapists running sessions with children and adults.

This UK speech therapy assistant career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.

Quick facts

Starting salary
£22,000 - £26,000
Mid-career salary
£26,000 - £30,000
Senior salary
£30,000 - £36,000
Work environment
Hospital, clinic or community setting
Time to entry
0 - 12 months
Degree required
Not required
Category
Healthcare and Care

What a Speech Therapy Assistant does

Support speech and language therapists running sessions with children and adults.

  • Paediatric SLT Support - Support SLTs working with children in clinics and schools.
  • Adult SLT Support - Support adults after stroke or with degenerative conditions.
  • Specialist School Support - Embedded support in special schools.
  • Bilingual SLT Assistant - Support SLT services in additional languages.

How to become a Speech Therapy Assistant

  1. Look up Speech Therapy Assistant roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
  2. Talk to someone already working as a Speech Therapy Assistant - even a 15-minute call helps
  3. Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
  4. Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
  5. Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month

Key skills

  • Communication
  • Patience
  • Working with children
  • Recording
  • Teamwork