Audiologists
SOC code 29-1181 · O*NET-SOC 29-1181.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Audiologists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$95,780
a year
Hourly
$46.05
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$97,740
$46.99 per hour
Middle 50%
$79,340 – $111,300
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$64,610 – $133,120
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
13,660
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $64,610
- $31.06/hr
- 25th percentile
- $79,340
- $38.14/hr
- Median percentile
- $95,780
- $46.05/hr
- 75th percentile
- $111,300
- $53.51/hr
- 90th percentile
- $133,120
- $64.00/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
15,800
jobs in 2024
17,300
projected for 2034
About 1,500 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Monitor patients' progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status.
- 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.
How to become an audiologist
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 95% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree95%
- Post-Doctoral Training5%
Common questions
How much does an audiologist earn?
The national median is $95,780 a year. The full range runs from $64,610 at the 10th percentile to $133,120 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an audiologist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is audiologist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Learning4.0/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
- Therapy and Counseling4.6/5
- Psychology4.3/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.3/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Sales and Marketing4.1/5
- Computers and Electronics4.1/5
- Biology4.0/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Service Orientation.