Career comparison
Audiologist vs. Occupational Therapist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Occupational therapists earn more at the median ($100,330 vs. $95,780), while occupational therapists usually get to work faster (6–7 years of training). Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing loss and balance problems. Occupational therapists help people do everyday activities after injury, illness or disability.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Audiologist | Occupational Therapist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $95,780 ($46.05/hr) | $100,330 ($48.24/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $64,610 – $133,120 | $71,690 – $131,950 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +11.0% (much faster than average) | +14.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 600 | 10,000 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 8 years after high school | 6–7 years |
| Key credential | State audiology license | NBCOT certification (OTR) |
| Work setting | Audiologists work in clinics, hospitals, ENT practices, schools and hearing aid practices.. | OTs work in hospitals, rehab centers, schools, nursing facilities, clinics and patients’ homes.. |
What each job does
Audiologist
- Test hearing and balance
- Diagnose hearing loss
- Fit and program hearing aids
- Manage cochlear implants
- Treat tinnitus
Occupational Therapist
- Evaluate patients’ abilities and needs
- Set therapy goals
- Teach daily living skills
- Recommend adaptive equipment
- Suggest home and workplace changes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, indoor work, and in-demand. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose audiologist if…
- I want to help people hear
- I like technology
- I’m patient with older adults and kids
Choose occupational therapist if…
- I want to help people live independently
- I’m creative with solutions
- I’m patient
Still torn? Take the Audiologist fit quiz and the Occupational Therapist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, audiologist or occupational therapist?
Occupational Therapists earn more at the median: $100,330 versus $95,780 for audiologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Occupational Therapists typically train faster (6–7 years) than audiologists (8 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects occupational therapists to grow +14.8% from 2025–35, compared with +11.0% for audiologists.