Career comparison
Audiologist vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Registered nurses earn more at the median ($97,550 vs. $95,780), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing loss and balance problems. Registered nurses assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Audiologist | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $95,780 ($46.05/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $64,610 – $133,120 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +11.0% (much faster than average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 600 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 8 years after high school | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | State audiology license | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | Audiologists work in clinics, hospitals, ENT practices, schools and hearing aid practices.. | About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. |
What each job does
Audiologist
- Test hearing and balance
- Diagnose hearing loss
- Fit and program hearing aids
- Manage cochlear implants
- Treat tinnitus
Registered Nurse
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
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 registered nurse if…
- I want a career where I make a real difference in people’s health
- I can stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I’m willing to complete two to four years of rigorous study
Still torn? Take the Audiologist fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, audiologist or registered nurse?
Registered Nurses earn more at the median: $97,550 versus $95,780 for audiologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Registered Nurses typically train faster (2–4 years) than audiologists (8 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects audiologists to grow +11.0% from 2025–35, compared with +5.6% for registered nurses.