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Job outlook for dispensing audiologists in the United States
Dispensing audiologist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected dispensing audiologist job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 1,500 new jobs for dispensing audiologists are projected over the next decade.
Dispensing audiologist salaries have increased 7% for dispensing audiologists in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,689 dispensing audiologists currently employed in the United States.
There are 861 active dispensing audiologist job openings in the US.
The average dispensing audiologist salary is $56,996.
Are dispensing audiologist jobs in demand?
Dispensing audiologist job and salary trends over time
Dispensing audiologist jobs over time
Dispensing audiologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,689 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 6,719 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,865 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,719 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,072 | 0.00% |
Average dispensing audiologist salary over time
Dispensing audiologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,996 | $27.40 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $54,584 | $26.24 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $53,402 | $25.67 | - |
| 2022 | $53,402 | $25.67 | --0.1% |
| 2021 | $53,444 | $25.69 | +1.5% |
Dispensing audiologist jobs by state
Most common states for dispensing audiologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 39,536,653 | 25 | 0% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 13 | 0% |
| 3 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 11 | 0% |
| 4 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 11 | 0% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 8 | 0% |
| 6 | New York | 19,849,399 | 7 | 0% |
| 7 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 6 | 0% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 5 | 0% |
| 9 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 5 | 0% |
| 10 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 5 | 0% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 4 | 0% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 2 | 0% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 2 | 0% |
| 14 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 2 | 0% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1 | 0% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 1 | 0% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 1 | 0% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 0 | 0% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 0 | 0% |
Most common cities for dispensing audiologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 1 | 4% | $66,127 |
Dispensing Audiologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of dispensing audiologist experts
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Utah
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Starkey Hearing Technologies
What general advice would you give to a Dispensing Audiologist?
Sadie Braun: Know your worth and don’t be afraid to bargain for the salary and benefits you feel you are worth. Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists are in high demand and often if you let a future employer know what you need/want you’d be surprised that often they will meet your expectations or at least try to do so.
Bargain a salary AND express interest in loan reimbursement if you have student loans.
Make sure to inquire about/discuss how much your employer will contribute towards professional organizations/memberships and continuing education prior to signing a contract.
What Dispensing Audiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sadie Braun: Knowledge and skills related to Telehealth services.
Marketing/business skills and ability to connect with/volunteer in the local community.
A good understanding of reimbursement/insurance models in Communication Sciences and Disorders
What will help Dispensing Audiologists increase their earning potential?
Sadie Braun: You are not expected to know everything right away, use your resources! Take advantage of your contacts in the field – whether it be former supervisors, or classmates– you are not alone and when you need to run a complicated case by someone, these people can help.
Keep old textbooks and notes from classes – you never know when you might need to refer to something.
Stay connected to the faculty in the Department you earned your AuD or MA SLP.
Susan Naidu Ph.D.
AuD Program Director, Professor (Clinical), Assistant ChairUniversity of Utah
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
What skills stand out on Dispensing Audiologist resumes?
Susan Naidu Ph.D.: For a recent graduate applying for jobs, future employers will look for (1) the number of clinical clock hours earned while in their graduate program and (2) the breadth of the clinical areas those hours were earned. For example, in audiology, being able to show you have 500+ clinical hours of experience in your training program in vestibular assessment is going to be important to show if you are applying for an audiologist position at a hearing and balance center. (3) It is also important to identify the procedures within the skills areas you have experience in; for example, in electrophysiology, having experience conducting ABR's, MLR, ASSR, etc.
What soft skills should all Dispensing Audiologists possess?
Susan Naidu Ph.D.: (1) Understanding the importance of teamwork and being a good team player, which includes mutual respect between you and your co-workers (that includes the staff and aides that work tirelessly at the site) (2) Being able to collaborate and communicate with colleagues within your profession and also outside of your immediate work, such physicians, physical therapists, social workers, etc. (3) Excellent listening skills. Being a mindful listener to your colleagues and to your patients. (4) Flexibility - expect the unexpected and be able to adapt professionally, (5) time management. Our professions have busy clinical schedules with administrative duties as well. Be able to provide excellent patient-centered care while meeting your deadlines. Being organized is also a part of time management. (6) As a team player, be willing to help problem-solve as an issue arises and be part of the solution.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Dispensing Audiologists?
Susan Naidu Ph.D.: (1) the clinical skills for which you will be providing. If you feel less proficient in one area, read up on the area and practice the skill on your own time. Stay up on the latest technology; for example, as an audiologist in an audiology practice, you need to be well-versed in hearing aids and real-ear measures. (2) Computer skills such as proficiency in Word and Excel but also having experience with at least one Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, (3) technical skills and troubleshooting skills on equipment that you may use in your workplace.
What skills will help Dispensing Audiologists earn the most?
Susan Naidu Ph.D.: The job market for SLPs and audiologists is diverse, and so, the salaries vary from state to state and also type of clinical location (i.e., educational setting vs. medical setting). In speaking with potential employers, I sense that they are looking for individuals who they feel will be committed to their workplace and stay awhile. Rapid turnover is hard to overcome in large medical settings and really in all clinical settings. Employers look for the person they feel will be committed and 'step in' when needed, be motivated. In fields such as audiology, there are more highly specialized skills such as intraoperative monitoring and cochlear implant mapping. Having experience and good knowledge in specialized areas will likely be a positive as you negotiate your salary. On the other side, it is also good to be diversified and not specialized in only one area; it depends on the site you are applying to and their needs for a person in your profession (i.e., audiologist).
Matthew Howard
Assistant Professor, Audiology Clinical Education DirectorUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Health Professions - Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Dispensing Audiologists?
Matthew Howard: Jobs will require a full, current and unrestricted state license. Some employers will want additional certification through organizations like ASHA or ABA. Benefits of certification include professional credibility, career advancement, and potential for greater earnings
What soft skills should all Dispensing Audiologists possess?
Matthew Howard: COVID-19 has shown that one of the most important soft skills is adaptability. Audiologists around the country have figured out ways to evaluate and treat their patients during the pandemic such as drop-off/curbside services and telepractice. Also, due to the nature of our profession, communication/interpersonal skills are paramount. Knowledge is often the answer but conveying it appropriately and effectively is the skill.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Dispensing Audiologists?
Matthew Howard: We can look at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates from many different angles. In terms of service delivery many states are updating their language in regards to telepractice. Much of an audiologist’s role involves educating patients which can often be done remotely.
There are also a large number of studies being conducted on the connection between COVID-19 and the auditory and balance systems. If COVID-19 does indeed have an effect on hearing and balance it may increase the variety of patients we see. Audiologists also need to be mindful of the communication difficulties that face masks create and adapt their service model to accommodate.
In terms of job prospects it is no secret that audiologists have had a difficult time during the pandemic. Hannah Plumlee, a Communication Sciences and Disorders undergraduate student, recently conducted a survey of Arkansas audiologists that showed 77.3 percent of the practicing audiologists surveyed believe COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on how their practice operates in the future. Since audiology is often viewed as an elective health service many clinics and practices had a decrease in patient load. However, in speaking with our off-site preceptors appointments are back on the rise. Our program had a 100 percent employment rate for our May 2020 graduates.
Some advice for graduates is to inquire if they will be classified as an essential or non-essential worker by their prospective employer or employee union as it may give insight to job security.
What general advice would you give to a Dispensing Audiologist?
Dr. Sara Burdak: Never stop learning. Graduation is just the first step in your professional career. At Starkey, I've worn many hats, but I've always had a passion for training. I now oversee a global Education and Audiology team and our Government Services division, working with several thousand hearing healthcare professionals, on an annual basis, to provide better hearing to their patients. The hearing industry is always evolving. Just this year, Starkey unveiled the world's first custom rechargeable hearing aid and a new feature called Edge Mode, which allows a hearing aid wearer to adapt to a new listening environment with just a simple tap of the device. As the needs of patients change, the hearing industry will need bright minds who are not afraid to take that next step in the hearing aid revolution.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Dispensing Audiologists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sara Burdak: We see telehealth become a vital part of the hearing healthcare process. COVID-19 drastically increased the need for telehealth services, but I don't foresee telemedicine going away after the pandemic has subsided because of the added convenience and personalization it offers to patients. At Starkey, our Livio hearing aids use artificial intelligence and integrated sensors that complement the growing demand for telehealth services in several ways. Patients can get more care remotely now. They can even have their hearing professional make necessary adjustments to their hearing aids through our Thrive smartphone app. In the next three to five years, I anticipate this technology will become the norm, and in-person visits will be reserved for more severe issues.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Dispensing Audiologists?
Dr. Sara Burdak: COVID-19 has forever changed the hearing industry. I believe it has made many people realize just how severe their hearing loss is, and it has reinforced the fact that hearing loss is a significant global health issue that is often ignored until it is too late. Additionally, with so many people wearing facemasks to protect themselves from the virus, I believe it has helped individuals without a hearing loss better understand the communication challenges faced by people who do suffer from hearing loss.
I also believe it has shown us just how valuable telehealth services are. Telehealth is here to stay. Customers want access to their hearing professionals, no matter where they are, and what they're doing. Telemedicine has wholly transformed the hearing industry, giving patients more control over their care.
Ultimately, if the coronavirus pandemic has taught hearing professionals anything, we must always be forward-thinking, agile, and flexible. That is the only way to adapt quickly and successfully to change. This means graduates must continue to be life-long learners throughout their careers, to ensure sustained success.