Why Are CFs Making Almost as Much as CCC-SLPs?
- Brainz Magazine
- 47 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Nye Homegrown Learning LLC is dedicated to revolutionizing speech and language resources and evaluations with the motto 'Not Your Expected' at its core. Brooke Nye M.S.Ed., CCC-SLP empowers parents and provides guidance to help them discover invaluable strategies, gain confidence, and step into their role as their child's in-home speech therapist!
Are we unintentionally diminishing the value of seasoned expertise in the school-based SLP field? As new graduates enter the profession with growing confidence, strong negotiation skills, and higher salary expectations, many experienced CCC-SLPs are left wondering where that leaves those of us who’ve spent years building clinical insight, refining our craft, and advocating for our students within the complex world of school-based work.
In this article, I share a personal reflection, what I believed I deserved as a CF versus what I understand now as a seasoned CCC-SLP. I explore the broader implications this shift has on our profession, compensation trends, and the long-term sustainability of our work in schools.
If you are a fellow CCC-SLP asking, “How did we get here, and what can we do about it?” or a CF seeking to better understand the profession you are stepping into, I invite you to read on with openness and curiosity. Let us talk honestly, respectfully, and with the future of our field in mind!
The pay gap reversal
There is an interesting shift happening in school-based speech-language pathology: Clinical Fellows (CFs), fresh out of graduate school, are negotiating salaries which rival or even exceed those of seasoned CCC-SLPs.
While it is encouraging to see our field gaining financial value, there is a growing tension beneath the surface. Many experienced SLPs are watching CFs come in with higher hourly rates than they themselves are earning, despite years of service, advanced skill sets, and proven outcomes.
Then vs. Now: My CF story
I remember being a CF in 2021 and feeling thrilled to accept a position which paid $37 per hour. I felt empowered, valued, and genuinely excited to start my career. I did not question whether the rate was fair or whether I could ask for more. I was just grateful to get my foot in the door and begin the kind of learning which only happens in real-world practice.
Fast forward to today, I am a CCC-SLP with years of hands-on experience. I know how to approach complex cases, collaborate with teachers who may not fully understand our role, and advocate effectively for our field. When I see CFs negotiating rates of $43 to $50 per hour, I have mixed feelings. I admire their confidence, and I am glad they feel empowered, but I cannot help but notice a hard truth: some of us with extensive experience, even earning $60 to $70 per hour, are being matched or surpassed by those just beginning their careers.
Experience should matter
When I was a CF, I truly did not know what I did not know, and I say that with full empathy. If the CF version of me could see who I have become today, she would be in awe. She could not have known the depth of insight, the clinical intuition, the collaboration strategies, the resilience, and the leadership skills I would develop over time.
Experience should matter. Not to diminish the growth or potential of newer professionals, but to honor the value of time-tested expertise. When the pay scale begins to flatten, or worse, reverse, it risks sending the message that what we gain through years of real-world service is not worth compensating.
What does this mean for the field
This conversation isn’t just about money, it’s about retention, mentorship, and sustainability. When seasoned SLPs feel undervalued, they may leave. And when they do, who is left to mentor CFs? Who will advocate in tough meetings, support teams, and lead within the school system?
If we lose our veteran SLPs, we lose the backbone of school-based speech-language pathology.
A call for balance
So, where do we go from here? Let’s open this conversation within our schools, networks, and professional spaces. CFs absolutely deserve fair pay. But CCC-SLPs deserve compensation, which reflects the depth of their experience and the value they bring.
To showcase that depth and add another layer to what I offer, I’ve started creating resources for school-based SLPs on Teachers Pay Teachers. In my store, N̲ot Y̲our E̲xpected Speech & Language Resources, you will find resources and tools which are grounded in real-world insight, from caseload management to working with challenging group settings, and they reflect the expertise which only comes with time in the field! I encourage you to check out my resources, share your thoughts, and keep this conversation going!
This isn’t about CF vs. CCC. It’s about respect, recognition, and rising together, for the future of our field.
Read more from Brooke Nye, M.S.Ed., CCC-SLP
Brooke Nye, M.S.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist and Entrepreneur
Brooke's expertise transforms learning experiences for children and adolescents in regard to speech, language, and literacy skills. She understands the challenges parents face in nurturing their children's speech and language development while juggling busy lives. Her journey from teaching to entrepreneurship was fueled by a desire to inspire and educate other parents like herself. Discover more insightful articles by Brooke and explore her transformative resources on her website today which not only enhance children's communication skills, but also empowers parents to unlock their potential and embark on their entrepreneurial dreams!
