Audiologists
Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.
Also called: Audiologist, Audiology Doctor (AUD), Audiology Extern, Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology Licensed Audiologist (CCC-A Licensed Audiologist), Clinical Audiologist, Dispensing Audiologist
Median pay
$95,780
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$64,610 – $133,120
People employed
13,660
Holland code
ISR
Investigative · Social · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 5.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 7.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Tight deadlines are common
Audiologists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What audiologists do
- 01Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities.
- 02Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
- 03Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
- 04Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment.
- 05Monitor patients' progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status.
- 06Instruct patients, parents, teachers, or employers in communication strategies to maximize effective receptive communication.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from audiologists
- Genetic Counselors75% · +4%
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary74% · +12%
- Orthotists and Prosthetists71% · −15%
- Hearing Aid Specialists69% · −32%
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary69% · −16%
Change into audiologists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Orthotists and Prosthetists84% · $81,110
- Neuropsychologists81% · $110,840
- Clinical Neuropsychologists75% · $110,840
- Genetic Counselors75% · $100,040
- Midwives75% · $65,790
Majors that lead here
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
- Audiology/Audiologist
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.