Career guide
How to become an audiologist
Education, licensing, training, and outlook from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 projections), with BLS May 2025 pay.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Audiologists, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page
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Quick facts
- 2025 Median Pay
- $95,780 per year $46.05 per hour
- Typical Entry-Level Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation
- None
- On-the-job Training
- None
- Number of Jobs, 2025
- 14,200
- Job Outlook, 2025 to 2035
- 11% (Much faster than average)
- Employment Change, 2025 to 2035
- 1,600
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page
Steps to become an audiologist (BLS)
Audiologists typically need a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) degree to enter the occupation. All states require audiologists to be licensed.
Education
Audiologists need a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) degree, which typically takes 4 years to complete. To enter an Au.D. program, students need a bachelor’s degree.
Au.D. coursework includes anatomy and physiology, diagnosis and treatment, and statistics. Students also complete supervised clinical practice.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Audiologists must be licensed in all states. Requirements vary by state but typically include having earned an Au.D. from an accredited program. For specific requirements, contact your state’s licensing board for audiologists.
Audiologists may earn other credentials, such as certificates or certifications. These credentials usually require completion of an accredited doctor of audiology program and passing an exam. Some employers may require or prefer that candidates have certification or a certificate, and in some states having the credential can help to meet licensure requirements. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035
Employment of audiologists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 600 openings for audiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
| Occupation | SOC | Employment | Projected | Change % | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audiologists | 29-1181 | 14,200 | 15,700 | 11% | 1,600 |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Job Outlook, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page
Pay
| Role | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audiologist | $95,780 | $46.05 |
Highest-paying states: Nevada ($133,110), New Jersey ($119,230), North Dakota ($118,750), California ($114,910), Alaska ($114,170).
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page
Related pages
Questions
What degree do you need to be an Audiologist?
BLS lists "Doctoral or professional degree" as the typical entry-level education.
Do audiologists need a license?
Audiologists must be licensed in all states. Requirements vary by state but typically include having earned an Au.D. from an accredited program. For specific requirements, contact your state’s licensing board for audiologists.
What is the job outlook for audiologists?
Employment of audiologists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
How much does an Audiologist make?
The BLS median for audiologists was $95,780 a year ($46.05 an hour) in May 2025.