Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire an Audiologist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring audiologists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $95,780), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify State audiology license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for audiologists
There are about 14,200 audiologists employed in the U.S., with roughly 600 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +11.0% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $64,610–$79,340 | $31.06–$38.14 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $111,300 | $53.51 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $133,120 | $64.00 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Audiometric testing
- Patience
Nice-to-haves
- State audiology license
- CCC-A (ASHA)
- American Board of Audiology certification
- Experience with audiometers
Where to find audiologists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: AuD, Hearing Doctor, Clinical Audiologist, Pediatric Audiologist
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why audiology?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you counsel new hearing aid users?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “Describe pediatric experience.”
What a strong answer includes: Be specific.
4. “How do you verify fittings?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain real-ear.
5. “What settings interest you?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Perform a Pure-Tone Hearing Test (see the steps)
- Fit a Hearing Aid (see the steps)
- Counsel a Patient on Tinnitus (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as AuD, Audiogram, Decibel
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Audiologist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Audiologist training. Show them the path forward: Clinical Fellow → Audiologist → Specialist or Lead Audiologist → Practice Owner or Director.
Hiring audiologists: FAQ
How much should I pay an audiologist?
The U.S. median wage for audiologists is $95,780 per year ($46.05/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($79,340), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($111,300). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an audiologist have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for State audiology license and CCC-A (ASHA) where relevant, plus skills such as audiometric testing, hearing aid fitting, and cochlear implant programming.
How long does it take to train a new audiologist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 8 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”