How much does a speech therapist earn?
Speech therapists (Logopäden) diagnose and treat speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders in children and adults – in practices, hospitals, rehab and facilities. Training is usually a three-year school-based programme with practical placements; bachelor programmes are also increasingly available. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements (e.g. TVöD), employer and specialisation. As a guide, qualified speech therapists in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,100–€3,700 gross per month; in training around €900–€1,200 is typical where a training allowance is paid.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. Actual pay depends on employer, region, collective agreement, experience, specialisation and working-time model and is not a guarantee. The training column refers to school-based training phases with pay or typical training/internship allowances – a training allowance is not paid everywhere.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
Speech therapists work in practices, hospitals, rehab facilities, nurseries, schools and social services. Everyday work combines diagnostics, individual therapy, work with relatives and close coordination with the multiprofessional team – with a focus on communication, voice and swallowing.
- Systematically assess speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders: agree history, findings and therapy goals with patients and relatives.
- Plan and deliver individual therapy – from paediatric language to stuttering and voice through to aphasia and dysphagia.
- Teach exercises, materials and home programmes; document progress and adjust treatment plans.
- Collaborate multiprofessionally with doctors, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing and schools.
- Advise parents, relatives and teachers and support prevention and early detection.
- Keep documentation and billing careful in practices, hospitals, rehab, nurseries, schools or facilities.
