Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
Work directly under Speech-Language Pathologists - a faster, highly rewarding route to speech therapy.
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) Salary in Canada
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)s in Canada earn about $45,000 at entry level and around $70,000 in senior roles.
- Entry level: $45,000
- Senior level: $70,000
Great entry point for those wanting to work in speech therapy without a Master's degree.
About the Career
School boards and private speech clinics heavily rely on CDAs to handle caseload volume.
Job Outlook
Stable demand. School boards and private speech clinics heavily rely on CDAs to handle caseload volume.
How to Get There
- 3-yr BA (Linguistics/Psychology) + 1-yr College Post-Grad Cert
- Time to career: 4-5 years post-Grade 12
Degrees That Lead Here
- Linguistics – mid to high 80s
- Psychology – mid to high 80s
Key Skills
- Speech Therapy Activities
- Client Documentation
- Communication Support
- Therapy Program Delivery
- Collaboration with SLPs
Typical Employers
- School boards
- Private speech clinics
- Community health centres
- Long-term care facilities
- Rehab centres
High School Roadmap
- Focus on English and communication skills.
- Volunteer reading to younger children or seniors.
- Research CDA college programs (Georgian, St. Lawrence, Durham).
- Apply to either a college CDA program (some admit direct from high school) or a BA in Linguistics.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- Brock University – St. Catharines, ON
Insider Tips
- This is an excellent 'backup' or alternative path if the highly competitive Master's in Speech-Language Pathology is out of reach.
- CDAs do the exact same hands-on therapy with clients, just under the supervision of an SLP.
- The CDA credential is growing in recognition - school boards now hire them directly in many regions.