Permanent vs Travel School SLP Jobs

By Jamie Herold

November 17, 2025 • 10 min

School SLP coaching a student in articulation using a mirror during speech therapy.

Highlights

How travel and permanent school SLP careers differ in career growth, pay and lifestyle.
Why some SLPs choose travel assignments to explore options before settling into a permanent role.
What types of benefits and support you can expect for each employment type.
How Aya Education helps you find the right job for your personal and professional goals.

Career growth as a school SLP
Travel and permanent SLP compensation
School SLP lifestyle
Today’s a great day to get started
Travel vs Permanent School SLP Jobs FAQs

Today, there are more ways than ever to grow your school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) career and make a meaningful impact on students. Beyond traditional school SLP permanent positions, travel SLP jobs let you work in different schools, districts and states, gain experience, earn competitive pay and explore new communities — all while helping students thrive. Your dedicated Aya recruiter will help you find the best path for your unique goals.

If you’re wondering whether a travel SLP or permanent SLP career path is right for you, here’s some information about career growth, compensation and lifestyle.

Career growth as a school SLP

Travel roles accelerate learning. You gain a variety of experience by working with varied student populations and school systems, building strong skills and a standout résumé.

Permanent roles allow you to make a deep community impact and grow professionally within a district. You may even step into leadership positions, guiding both students and colleagues.

The great thing is, you don’t have to choose just one! Test the waters with a few travel assignments to discover what aspects of a job matter most to you — then feel confident in making your choice for a permanent role that meets those needs.

Find Your School SLP Path — Travel or Permanent

Discover high-paying travel assignments and rewarding permanent SLP roles tailored to your goals with Aya Education. Click “Get Matched” to share your preferences and receive personalized opportunities.

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Travel and permanent SLP compensation

Travel SLPs typically earn higher pay, with added benefits like housing stipends (when eligible) and the potential for certain additional reimbursements. Aya Education helps you understand all aspects of your compensation so you can focus on supporting students.

Permanent SLPs enjoy reliable salaries, comprehensive benefits and opportunities for advancement over time.

School SLP lifestyle

Speech-language pathologist travel jobs are perfect for those who thrive on change, adventure and meeting new teams. Each assignment brings fresh settings and the chance to serve diverse students, expanding your perspective as you help communities across the country. If you connect with a particular school during an assignment, some districts may offer a permanent position — and Aya Education can help ensure a smooth transition.

Permanent SLP roles offer stability, the opportunity to build lasting relationships and a predictable schedule. You can have a profound impact on students and the school community over time. We can connect you with schools where travel assignments may lead to long-term opportunities. Plus, you’ll have ongoing support from a team dedicated to ensuring you have an incredible experience.

Featured school jobs

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Today’s a great day to get started

The Aya Education team works directly with leading school districts nationwide so we can offer you incredible school-based SLP opportunities. If you’re ready to venture out and try a travel assignment, register now and we’ll find you a job that meets your personal and professional goals.

For details on next steps and what to expect during your first assignment, check out this guide for starting a travel career.

Travel vs Permanent School SLP Jobs FAQs

Is it better to start as a travel SLP or permanent SLP?

The choice is yours! If you want to explore new places, work with diverse student populations and gain experience quickly, a travel SLP assignment is a great way to start your school-based speech-language pathologist career. If you’d rather settle into one school district right away, a permanent SLP position might be your best fit.

Do travel school SLP jobs include housing benefits?

Yes. Most travel speech-language pathologist jobs include housing benefits — either as a stipend to find your own place or accommodations arranged by our team. Your recruiter can share all the details for the particular job you’re interested in.

Can I switch from a travel school-based SLP assignment to a permanent role?

Absolutely. Many SLPs use travel assignments to learn more about a school district before committing to a full-time role. You can take on as many travel SLP contracts as you’d like before deciding to transition into a permanent speech-language pathologist role in the district that feels like home.