Travel SLP Jobs Michigan 2026
Speech-Language Pathologist — Michigan Medicine, Henry Ford, Helen DeVos, School Districts
Michigan is one of the Midwest's top travel SLP markets in 2026. Michigan Medicine is a national referral center for complex dysphagia (MBSS/FEES) and voice pathology. Henry Ford Health runs a major HNC (head and neck cancer) SLP rehabilitation program in Detroit. Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids anchors the state's pediatric AAC and neonatal feeding SLP programs. School districts in Detroit, Flint, and the Upper Peninsula face acute SLP shortages — offering $2,600–$3,200/week on academic-year schedules.
No SLP Compact — Michigan Requires a Separate State License
There is no ASLP-IC compact as of 2026. Michigan has not joined the interstate compact for speech-language pathology. Every travel SLP working in Michigan must obtain a Michigan state license through the Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) — regardless of what other state licenses you hold. Processing time is 6–10 weeks with a fee of $150–$300. The CCC-SLP (ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence) is required by virtually all hospital and school contracts in Michigan and supports your endorsement application, but does not replace the state license. Plan your licensure timeline well before your contract start date.
Michigan SLP Income Tax vs. Neighboring States
Michigan's 4.25% flat income tax is predictable — no bracket surprises. Compare take-home pay across Midwest SLP markets before choosing your assignment.
| State | Income Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MichiganYou're here | 4.25% flat | Moderate; predictable |
| Indiana | 3.05% flat | Lower Midwest alternative |
| Tennessee | 0% | No income tax — highest take-home |
| Wisconsin | 3.54–7.65% | Graduated; similar market |
| Minnesota | 5.35–9.85% | Highest Midwest tax |
| Ohio | 2.765–3.99% | Lower than MI; major SLP market |
* Tax rates are for W-2 equivalent income. Travel SLP tax-free stipends for housing and meals reduce effective tax burden. Consult a travel healthcare tax professional.
Why Travel SLPs Choose Michigan
From Level I trauma centers to isolated Upper Peninsula communities, Michigan offers clinical breadth that few states can match for SLP professionals.
Michigan Medicine — MBSS/FEES & Voice Clinic
University of Michigan Health is a regional referral center for swallowing disorders and voice pathology. Travel SLPs perform MBSS (modified barium swallow studies) and FEES for complex dysphagia cases post-stroke, TBI, and HNC. The U-M Voice Clinic treats professional voice disorders, vocal fold paralysis, and post-laryngectomy rehabilitation.
Neonatal & Pediatric Feeding SLP
C.S. Mott Children's (Michigan Medicine) and Helen DeVos Children's Hospital are Level IV NICUs with active neonatal SLP programs. Travel SLPs support NICU oral feeding progression, NAS infant swallowing, and tube-to-oral feeding transitions. Helen DeVos in Grand Rapids also runs one of Michigan's largest pediatric AAC programs for autism and cerebral palsy.
School SLP Shortage — Detroit, Flint, UP Districts
Michigan school districts face a significant SLP shortage. Detroit Public Schools Community District has ongoing SLP vacancies. Flint Community Schools have elevated demand from lead exposure cognitive-communication sequelae. Upper Peninsula school districts are federal HPSA areas. School SLP travel contracts: $2,600–$3,200/week, academic-year schedule, Monday–Friday.
Multilingual SLP Premium in Metro Detroit
Dearborn, MI has the largest Arab-American population in the US — Henry Ford Dearborn and DMC serve significant Arabic-speaking patient populations. Arabic-speaking SLPs command a $100–$200/week premium. Spanish-speaking and multilingual SLPs are also in demand across metro Detroit community health centers and school districts.
Key Michigan SLP Facilities & Demand Drivers
Michigan's travel SLP market is anchored by major academic health systems, children's hospitals, and persistent school-district vacancies.
Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan Health) — Ann Arbor
A national referral center for complex dysphagia — MBSS (modified barium swallow study) and FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) for post-stroke, TBI, and HNC patients. The U-M Voice Clinic manages vocal fold paralysis, MTD (muscle tension dysphonia), and professional voice disorders. C.S. Mott Children's Hospital (Level IV NICU) has active neonatal SLP for oral feeding progression and NAS infants. FEES-certified travel SLPs are prioritized.
Children's Hospital of Michigan (DMC) / Helen DeVos Children's (Corewell) — Detroit & Grand Rapids
Pediatric SLP specialists for complex feeding therapy (tube-dependent children, NICU oral feeding progression), high-tech and low-tech AAC for autism, cerebral palsy, and ALS, and articulation and language disorders. Helen DeVos Children's Hospital is a Level IV NICU in Grand Rapids — neonatal SLP positions support NAS infants and NICU oral feeding. One of Michigan's largest pediatric AAC consultation programs.
Henry Ford Health — Detroit & Dearborn
Major HNC (head and neck cancer) SLP rehabilitation program: laryngectomy rehabilitation, esophageal speech, TEP (tracheoesophageal puncture) voice prosthesis, and post-radiation dysphagia. The Dearborn campus serves the largest Arab-American population in the US — Arabic-speaking SLPs command $100–$200/week premium. Spanish-speaking multilingual SLPs in demand for community health outreach. Active voice clinic and aphasia services for Detroit's urban population.
Corewell Health (Beaumont / Spectrum) — Multiple Sites
Adult acute SLP across southeast Michigan (Beaumont) and west Michigan (Spectrum Health / Grand Rapids campus): stroke aphasia, dysphagia, TBI cognitive- communication. Corewell also operates SNF-affiliated SLP programs statewide. The growing Grand Rapids Spectrum Health campus is expanding SLP services with consistent travel SLP demand.
Sparrow / McLaren / Ascension — Lansing & Flint
Adult acute SLP and SNF coverage across mid-Michigan. Flint is notable for elevated pediatric SLP demand driven by lead exposure cognitive-communication and language sequelae in children — McLaren Flint and Flint Community Schools both experience above-average SLP vacancy rates as a direct result of the Flint water crisis. McLaren, Sparrow, and Ascension recruit travel SLPs year-round.
Upper Peninsula Sole-Community Hospitals & Schools — Marquette, Escanaba, Iron Mountain
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a federal HPSA shortage area for SLP. Many UP hospitals and school districts operate with a single SLP or no permanent SLP at all. Travel SLPs in Marquette, Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie, and Iron Mountain earn $2,800–$3,200/week — among the highest rates in the Midwest — and often secure long-term contracts of 26+ weeks due to chronic vacancies. Housing stipends are generous given remote locations.
Michigan Travel SLP Pay by Setting (2026)
Weekly gross packages include tax-free housing and M&IE stipends where applicable. Rates vary by facility, contract length, and specialty certifications (FEES, AAC).
| Setting | Weekly Pay | Demand | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| School-Based SLP (shortage districts) | $2,600–$3,200/wk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | DPSCD, Flint, UP school districts |
| Upper Peninsula / Sole-Community | $2,800–$3,200/wk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Remote; Marquette, Escanaba, Iron Mtn |
| Acute Care Hospital SLP | $2,400–$2,900/wk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Dysphagia, aphasia, TBI, HNC |
| NICU / Neonatal Feeding SLP | $2,400–$2,900/wk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mott Children's, Helen DeVos Level IV |
| Pediatric Outpatient / AAC | $2,200–$2,700/wk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Autism, feeding, AAC devices |
| Voice / HNC Specialty | $2,400–$2,900/wk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Henry Ford, Michigan Medicine voice |
| SNF / Long-Term Care | $2,000–$2,500/wk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High SNF volume statewide |
Open Travel SLP Jobs in Michigan
Live positions updated every 4 hours from our active contract inventory.
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Michigan SLP positions fill quickly — especially school districts and Upper Peninsula sole-community facilities. Submit your profile and a CatSol recruiter will match you to open Michigan contracts within one business day.
MBSS & FEES SLP at Michigan Medicine — Complex Dysphagia & Voice
Why Michigan Medicine is a premier destination for instrumental dysphagia-trained SLPs.
Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)
The MBSS — also called videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) — is a real-time radiographic examination of the swallowing mechanism. At Michigan Medicine, travel SLPs perform MBSS in collaboration with radiology for patients with complex dysphagia following stroke, traumatic brain injury, HNC (head and neck cancer) surgery or radiation, neurological conditions (ALS, Parkinson's, MS), and post-intubation pharyngeal weakness.
Michigan Medicine's swallowing lab is a regional referral center — patients travel from across Michigan and neighboring states for MBSS evaluation. MBSS-trained travel SLPs can expect full caseloads and earn a $100–$200/week specialty premium over general acute SLP positions.
FEES — Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing
FEES is a flexible nasolaryngoscopy-based bedside swallowing evaluation that does not require radiology. SLPs trained in FEES can assess pharyngeal and laryngeal function at the bedside — critical for ICU, oncology, and neurology patients who cannot be transported to fluoroscopy. Henry Ford Health and Michigan Medicine both operate active FEES programs.
FEES-certified travel SLPs in Michigan are in high demand. Certification through ASHA or facility-specific credentialing is required. Henry Ford's HNC program specifically recruits FEES-trained SLPs for post-laryngectomy and post-radiation dysphagia management.
Voice Clinic & HNC SLP at Michigan Medicine & Henry Ford
Post-Laryngectomy Rehab
Total and partial laryngectomy patients require SLP for esophageal speech training, TEP voice prosthesis fitting and troubleshooting, and electrolarynx instruction. Henry Ford is one of Michigan's highest-volume laryngectomy centers.
Vocal Fold Paralysis & MTD
Michigan Medicine's Voice Clinic manages unilateral and bilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP), muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), and professional voice disorders. SLP provides resonant voice therapy, vocal hygiene counseling, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
Post-Radiation Dysphagia
Head and neck cancer survivors treated with chemoradiation develop late-effects dysphagia — fibrosis, stricture, aspiration. Both Michigan Medicine and Henry Ford run HNC survivorship SLP programs requiring skilled travel SLP coverage.
Michigan School SLP Shortage — Detroit, Flint & Upper Peninsula
Michigan's school SLP shortage is among the most acute in the Midwest, concentrated in three distinct areas — each with unique causes and contract structures.
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD)
DPSCD serves approximately 49,000 students and has maintained ongoing school SLP vacancies for multiple consecutive school years. Travel SLPs fill caseloads across elementary, middle, and high school buildings — providing IEP-based language therapy, articulation treatment, AAC services, and autism supports. Academic-year contracts run September–June (10 months), Monday–Friday.
Flint Community Schools — Lead Exposure Sequelae
The Flint water crisis (2014–2019) exposed thousands of children to lead, which causes lasting cognitive-communication and language disorders. Flint Community Schools have above-average SLP caseloads as a direct result — students present with language processing deficits, working memory difficulties, and attention-related communication challenges that require IEP-based SLP intervention. Demand remains elevated through 2026 and beyond.
Upper Peninsula — Federal HPSA Shortage Area
Michigan's Upper Peninsula school districts are federal HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area) designations for SLP. Many districts — Marquette Area, Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie, Iron Mountain — have never had a permanent school SLP. Travel SLPs in UP districts earn $2,800–$3,200/week and often receive extended contracts of 26–52 weeks. Housing stipends are above the Michigan average due to remote location.
School SLP Contract Structure in Michigan
Schedule
Monday–Friday, school hours (7:30 AM–3:30 PM typical)
Contract Length
10-month academic year (Aug/Sep–Jun) or semester
Caseload
IEP-based; 40–60 students typical; autism/AAC heavy in Detroit
Requirements
Michigan SLP license + CCC-SLP + school SLP certificate or equivalent experience
Michigan Travel SLP — Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel SLPs make in Michigan?
$2,000–$3,200/week depending on setting. School-based SLP in shortage districts (DPSCD, Flint, Upper Peninsula): $2,600–$3,200/week. Upper Peninsula sole-community SLP: $2,800–$3,200/week. Acute care hospital (MBSS/FEES, aphasia): $2,400–$2,900/week. NICU neonatal feeding: $2,400–$2,900/week. SNF: $2,000–$2,500/week. Michigan's 4.25% flat tax is predictable and moderate for the Midwest.
Is there an SLP compact for Michigan?
No. There is no ASLP-IC compact as of 2026. Michigan SLPs must obtain a separate Michigan state license through the Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL). The CCC-SLP (ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence) is required by virtually all hospital and school contracts and supports endorsement applications, but does not replace the state license. Processing time is 6–10 weeks with a $150–$300 fee.
What does MBSS/FEES SLP mean in Michigan?
MBSS (Modified Barium Swallow Study) and FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) are instrumental dysphagia evaluation techniques. Michigan Medicine (U-M) and Henry Ford are regional referral centers for complex swallowing disorders — post-stroke, TBI, HNC (head and neck cancer), and neurological conditions. FEES-certified SLPs earn $100–$200/week more than non-instrumental SLPs at hospital positions.
What is the school SLP shortage in Michigan?
Michigan has a significant school SLP vacancy rate concentrated in Detroit, Flint, and the Upper Peninsula. Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) — 49,000 students — has ongoing SLP vacancies. Flint Community Schools have elevated SLP demand from the legacy of lead exposure cognitive-communication impacts on students. Upper Peninsula school districts are federal HPSA areas for SLP. School contracts: $2,600–$3,200/week, 10-month academic year, Monday–Friday.
What Michigan cities hire the most travel SLPs?
Ann Arbor (Michigan Medicine — MBSS/FEES, voice, HNC, NICU neonatal feeding); Detroit/Dearborn (Henry Ford, DMC Children's, multilingual SLP premium); Grand Rapids (Helen DeVos, Corewell/Spectrum, Flint corridor); Lansing/East Lansing (Sparrow, McLaren, MSU area); Flint (McLaren Flint, school SLP shortage); Marquette/Escanaba (Upper Peninsula sole-community — highest pay $2,800–$3,200/week).
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Ready for Your Michigan SLP Travel Contract?
Michigan Medicine MBSS/FEES, Henry Ford HNC voice clinic, Helen DeVos NICU, Detroit and Flint school districts, Upper Peninsula sole-community SLP — CatSol matches speech-language pathologists to Michigan contracts that fit your specialty, schedule, and pay goals. Start your Michigan license application now (6–10 weeks) and we'll have your contract ready when your license clears.
No SLP compact in Michigan — our recruiters guide you through BPL licensure. CCC-SLP required. Average Michigan license processing: 6–10 weeks.