Audiologists earn a median of $95,780 per year ($46.05/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 11.0% through 2035, with about 600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 29-1181
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Audiologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $95,780a year, or $46.05/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $65KTop 10% $133K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +11.0%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+11%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +11% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 60014,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202514.2K
- Projected 203515.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 14.2K Projected 2035 15.7K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Doctorate95.5%
- Post-doctoral training4.6%
Highest education held by audiologists Segment Value Doctorate 95.5% Post-doctoral training 4.6%
Also advertised as: Audiologist, Audiology Doctor (AUD), Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology Licensed Audiologist (CCC-A Licensed Audiologist), Clinical Audiologist, Dispensing Audiologist, Educational Audiologist.
Pay
How much do Audiologists make?
Every audiologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$95,780
Middle half earn $79,340 to $111,300
- 10th
- $64,610
- 25th
- $79,340
- 75th
- $111,300
- 90th
- $133,120
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $64,610 |
| 25th | $79,340 |
| Median | $95,780 |
| 75th | $111,300 |
| 90th | $133,120 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $95,780
- Median hourly wage
- $46.05/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $97,740
- People employed
- 13,660
Versus all US occupations
At $95,780, Audiologists earn 88% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $44,800 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 7% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $133,120 or more while the bottom 10% earn $64,610, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 69% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Nevada posts the highest raw median ($133,110), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $133,488 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Audiologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Nevada | $133,110 | $133,138 | N/A |
| 2New Jersey | $119,230 | $109,581 | 210 |
| 3North Dakota | $118,750 | $133,488 | 40 |
| 4California | $114,910 | $103,784 | 1,740 |
| 5Alaska | $114,170 | $111,539 | N/A |
| 6Hawaii | $113,850 | $103,546 | 90 |
| 7Connecticut | $113,180 | $109,237 | 70 |
| 8Oregon | $109,560 | $105,997 | 140 |
| 9Washington | $108,580 | $101,464 | 320 |
| 10New Hampshire | $105,590 | $101,368 | 50 |
Job outlook
Is Audiologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +11.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Audiologists | +11% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Audiologists to change 11.0% over 2025–2035, roughly 3.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 600 openings are projected each year, 4.2% of the 14,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Because health problems are prevalent in older age groups, an aging population will continue to increase the demand for most healthcare services. This includes hearing loss and balance disorders, with larger numbers of older adults creating increased demand for audiologists.
The early identification and diagnosis of hearing disorders in infants also may support employment growth. Growing awareness regarding advances in hearing aid technology, such as smaller size and reduced feedback, may make such devices more appealing as a means to treat auditory loss. This may lead to more demand for audiologists.
Getting in
How to become an Audiologist
Audiologists typically need a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) degree to enter the occupation. All states require audiologists to be licensed.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as audiologists.
- Doctoral Degree95.5%
- Post-Doctoral Training4.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 95.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Audiologist do?
Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.
Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat patients who have hearing, balance, or related problems.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities.
- Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
- Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
- Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment.
- Instruct patients, parents, teachers, or employers in communication strategies to maximize effective receptive communication.
- Counsel and instruct patients and their families in techniques to improve hearing and communication related to hearing loss.
- Refer patients to additional medical or educational services, if needed.
- Participate in conferences or training to update or share knowledge of new hearing or balance disorder treatment methods or technologies.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most audiologists work full time. Some work weekends and evenings to meet patients' needs.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where audiologists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Offices of physicians26%
- Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists26%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private16%
- Educational services; state, local, and private10%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Offices of physicians | 26% |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 26% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 16% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 10% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.1
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Monitoring3.8
- Learning Strategies3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Service Orientation3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Coordination3.4
- Time Management3.3
- Persuasion3.1
- Instructing3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.4 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Audiologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Audiologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Investigative5.9
- Social5.9
- Realistic4.0
- Conventional4.0
- Artistic2.2
- Enterprising1.8
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Audiologist
O*NET related occupations
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$265,930median a year
Most earn $69K to $452K
+3.4%Doctorate
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with audiologists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Audiologist$95,780
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Audiologist | $95,780 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Audiologist appears on
Questions
Audiologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Audiologists make?
Audiologists earn a median of $95,780 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 88% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $46.05/hr. The middle half earn between $79,340 and $111,300. The top 10% earn $133,120 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Audiologist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Audiologists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 95.5% hold doctoral degree.
Is Audiologist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 11.0% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Audiologist do?
Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat patients who have hearing, balance, or related problems. A core O*NET task: maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Audiologists the most?
The highest state medians for Audiologists are Nevada ($133,110), New Jersey ($119,230), North Dakota ($118,750) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $133,488.
What personality type suits an Audiologist?
O*NET scores Audiologists highest on the Investigative, Social and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.