Hearing Aid Specialist
Test hearing and fit hearing aids so people can hear better.
- $65,160
- 6–12 months
Healthcare career
Audiologist
Also called: AuD · Hearing Doctor · Clinical Audiologist · Pediatric Audiologist
What audiologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an audiologist do?
Audiologists diagnose, manage and treat hearing, balance and ear problems, fitting hearing aids, programming cochlear implants and testing newborns. The median pay is $95,780 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 8 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +11.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$95,780$46.05/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+11.0%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train8 years after high schoolTypical program length
- U.S. jobs14,200Employment, 2025
What audiologists do
Audiologists help people hear and balance better. They test hearing, diagnose types of hearing loss, fit and program hearing aids, manage cochlear implants, treat tinnitus, test balance problems, screen newborns and help protect workers’ hearing. They work in clinics, hospitals, schools and private practices.
Audiologists need a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree, about four years after college, and a state license. BLS projects faster-than-average growth as the population ages.
Typical duties
- Test hearing and balance
- Diagnose hearing loss
- Fit and program hearing aids
- Manage cochlear implants
- Treat tinnitus
- Screen newborns and children
- Counsel patients on hearing protection
Work environment and schedule
Audiologists work in clinics, hospitals, ENT practices, schools and hearing aid practices.
Schedule: Most work full-time during regular hours.
A day in the life
- Perform a full hearing test.
- Fit new hearing aids.
- Program a cochlear implant.
- Test a child’s hearing with play audiometry.
See a full day in the life of an audiologist →
Audiologist salary
Half of audiologists earned more than $95,780 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $64,610 for the lowest 10% to $133,120 for the top 10%.
Full audiologist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an audiologist
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Complete an AuD program
- Complete clinical externship
- Pass the Praxis exam
- Specialize
A Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree from an accredited program is required, plus a state license.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an audiologist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Audiometric testing
- Hearing aid fitting
- Cochlear implant programming
- Vestibular testing
- Pediatric audiology
People skills
- Patience
- Communication
- Empathy
- Attention to detail
All audiologist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Faster-than-average growth
- Meaningful improvements in quality of life
- Regular hours
- Technology-focused care
Cons
- Doctoral degree required
- Sales pressure in some settings
- Insurance coverage limits
- Repetitive testing
Certifications and licenses
- State audiology license: Required.
- CCC-A (ASHA): Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology.
- American Board of Audiology certification: Board certification.
- Hearing aid dispensing license: Required in some states.
Career path
- Clinical Fellow: Supervised practice.
- Audiologist: Practice.
- Specialist or Lead Audiologist: Specialize.
- Practice Owner or Director: Lead programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Audiologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a pure-tone hearing test and fit a hearing aid, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Audiologist vs. Hearing Aid Specialist · Audiologist vs. Speech Therapist · Audiologist vs. RN · Audiologist vs. OT
Audiologist FAQ
Do audiologists need a doctorate?
Yes, the AuD is the entry degree.
What’s the difference between an audiologist and a hearing aid specialist?
Audiologists diagnose and treat a wide range of hearing and balance problems; hearing aid specialists fit and sell hearing aids.
Is the field growing?
Yes, BLS projects faster-than-average growth.
How much does an audiologist make?
The median annual wage for audiologists was $95,780 ($46.05 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $64,610 and the highest 10% earned more than $133,120.
How long does it take to become an audiologist?
Most people need about 8 years after high school of training. A Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree from an accredited program is required, plus a state license.
Do you need a degree to be an audiologist?
Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1181 (Audiologists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Audiologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.