Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Audiologists work in a specialized healthcare field with a defined professional pathway and measurable opportunities nationwide. The career offers a national median salary of $92,120, supported by national employment of 16,000 and projected employment growth of 9.5%. With about 1,000 annual openings, this field presents ongoing entry points for new professionals as well as room for experienced audiologists to move between roles or locations. The typical education requirement is a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced expertise associated with the role. Success in this career draws on a broad skill set that includes customer service, interpersonal abilities, speaking and listening, problem solving and decision making, and science. Strong critical and analytical thinking, along with competency in computers and information technology, further supports long-term career development. Overall, audiology can appeal to those seeking a doctoral-level healthcare profession that blends technical knowledge with direct interaction and support for individuals.
Audiologists earn a national median annual salary of $92,120, offering solid earning potential for a doctoral-level healthcare profession. Salaries vary across states and metro areas, with several locations standing out for higher median pay. Among states, California shows a median salary of $114,910, Washington $108,580, Massachusetts $104,130, Colorado $102,270, and New York $100,860. At the metro level, some areas report even higher medians: San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA at $133,910, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA at $132,390, and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ at $115,070. Other metros such as Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV also exceed $100,000. These figures indicate that location choices within this profession can have a meaningful impact on earnings, particularly in certain California and Northeast metro areas.
Audiologists have a national employment level of 16,000, with projected employment growth of 9.5%. This projected growth, combined with approximately 1,000 annual openings, suggests a consistent pipeline of opportunities for new entrants and for those seeking to advance or relocate within the field. The presence of a specific growth rate and an identified number of openings gives prospective audiologists a clear sense of the scale and trajectory of the profession. Because the typical entry requirement is a doctoral or professional degree, the occupation is structured around a specialized, credentialed workforce. For individuals willing to complete this level of education, the combination of measurable growth, a defined number of job openings, and national demand can support long-term planning. The growth rate and annual openings together point to an occupation where workforce needs are expected to continue over time rather than being static.
Location plays a notable role in audiology career opportunities, as shown by state and metro opportunity scores, salaries, and employment levels. Among states, California ranks highest by opportunity score (67.38), with a median salary of $114,910 and employment of 1,740. Massachusetts (65.87) and New York (65.78) follow closely, with median salaries of $104,130 and $100,860 and employment of 220 and 690, respectively. Colorado and Washington also appear among the top states, combining six-figure median salaries with mid-range opportunity scores. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $133,910, while New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ is nearly as strong with a 77.27 score and $115,070 median pay. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH round out leading metros, each offering high median salaries and solid opportunity scores for audiologists.
Audiology typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, so entering this field involves a significant educational commitment. This advanced level of training aligns with the profession’s reliance on a broad and sophisticated skill set. Key skills include science, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving and decision making, all of which support evidence-based professional practice. Strong speaking and listening skills, interpersonal abilities, and customer service are also central, reflecting the importance of effective communication and client interaction. Writing and reading skills help with documentation and understanding technical or professional materials, while computers and information technology competencies support modern practice environments. Project management skills and adaptability further enhance a professional’s ability to manage workloads and adjust to changing conditions in work settings. Taken together, the doctoral requirement and these core skills create a profile well-suited to individuals who are comfortable combining advanced academic preparation with people-focused professional work.
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