How to Become a Audiologist — Salary, Training & Licensing
You give people back the sound of their grandchild's laugh, their favorite song, the voice of someone they love. Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders — combining clinical science with deeply personal patient care. It's a doctoral-level healthcare career with growing demand, excellent pay, and the kind of patient moments that make you love going to work.
90% High Demand
$78K–$120K+
Salary Range
Very High
Demand
+12%
Job Growth
℞ Prescribed by data · BLS · WEF · McKinsey
Audiologist Apprenticeship & Training in Oregon
Licensing & Requirements
Au.D. required. Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology issues licenses. Praxis exam required. Dispensing license included.
Training Programs
Pacific University (Forest Grove — Au.D. program). Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has audiology clinical opportunities and research. Some students attend University of Washington's highly ranked program.
OHSU (Portland — major medical center with audiology department), Providence Health, Portland VA Medical Center, Legacy Health, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, private audiology practices in Portland and Salem.
Career Overview
Is this career right for you?
✓You're drawn to healthcare but want a career focused on improving quality of life, not emergencies
✓You're empathetic, patient, and genuinely enjoy connecting with people of all ages
✓You're interested in science, acoustics, and how the brain processes sound
✓You want a career with predictable hours (most audiologists work regular business hours)
✓You enjoy using technology — hearing aids and cochlear implants are increasingly sophisticated
✓You want a career with a growing patient population (aging baby boomers) and strong demand
Your Roadmap
1
Get Your FoundationAges 16-18
Take biology, physics, psychology, and anatomy courses in high school
Shadow an audiologist at a clinic, hospital, or hearing aid practice
Volunteer with hearing-impaired populations or at senior living communities
Research undergraduate programs with strong pre-audiology tracks (communication sciences & disorders)
Learn about the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) pathway — this is a 4-year doctoral program after undergrad
[Interactive: Find Au.D. programs near you]
2
Complete Your Undergraduate DegreeAges 18-22
Earn a bachelor's degree in communication sciences & disorders, biology, or related field
Mentor audiology students completing their clinical rotations
6
Long-Term CareerAges 32+
Private practice owner with multiple audiologists and locations
Clinical director at a hospital or university audiology program
Research audiologist at a hearing aid manufacturer (Phonak, Oticon, Starkey)
University professor training the next generation of audiologists
Consultant for hearing conservation programs in industry, military, or entertainment
Audiology Employers & Career Pathways
VA Medical Centers
The Department of Veterans Affairs is the single largest employer of audiologists in the US. Excellent salary, federal benefits, pension, and loan repayment programs for Au.D. graduates.
HearUSA / Demant
National hearing care network with 250+ clinics. Offers structured career paths from clinical audiologist to regional manager, plus continuing education support.
Phonak / Sonova Group
One of the world's largest hearing aid manufacturers. Hires audiologists for clinical support, training, research, and product development roles.
Children's Hospitals
Pediatric audiology is a growing specialty. Major children's hospitals hire audiologists for newborn hearing screening, cochlear implant programs, and developmental care.
Starkey Hearing Technologies
US-based hearing aid manufacturer known for innovation. Hires audiologists for clinical education, product development, and their charitable hearing missions worldwide.
The aging baby boomer population is driving massive demand for audiologists. Over-the-counter hearing aids are expanding the market, not shrinking it — patients still need professional fitting, programming, and ongoing care. Audiologists who embrace technology and patient-centered care will thrive.
Audiology requires a doctoral degree (Au.D.), which is a significant investment — 8 years of education total. However, starting salaries of $75K+ are strong, loan repayment programs (especially VA and public service) can eliminate debt, and the career satisfaction is exceptional. Private practice ownership can push earnings well above $130K with the freedom of being your own boss.
The Real Talk
The Good
Deeply meaningful work — helping people hear is profoundly life-changing
Excellent work-life balance — most audiologists work regular business hours with no on-call
90% AI-era demand score — AI diagnostics are expanding healthcare access, and PAs deliver the hands-on care
Growing demand from aging population — job market is strong and getting stronger
Multiple career paths: clinical, private practice, research, manufacturing, education
Doctoral-level respect and compensation without the demands of medical residency
The Hard Parts
Requires 8 years of education (4 undergrad + 4 Au.D.) — significant time and financial commitment
Student loan debt can be substantial ($100K-200K for Au.D. programs)
Some patients are frustrated, in denial about hearing loss, or resistant to treatment
Insurance reimbursement for audiology services can be complex and sometimes low
Corporate hearing aid retail chains have squeezed some private practice margins
Is It Worth It?
Audiology is one of healthcare's hidden gems. You get the doctoral-level expertise and respect, meaningful patient relationships, excellent work-life balance, and a growing patient population. Yes, the education is long, but the reward is a career where you routinely witness patients hearing sounds they've missed for years — a spouse's voice, birdsong, their grandchild's first words. The demand is booming, the technology is fascinating, and the entrepreneurial potential through private practice is excellent. If you're passionate about helping people and drawn to the science of sound, audiology is a remarkable career.
A Career Is Just One Part of Your Story
The best careers don't just pay well — they give you freedom, purpose, and time for the people and things you love. Choose a path that makes your whole life better, not just your resume.
Get your free Audiologist Starter Guide
We'll send you a detailed guide with training programs, costs, and next steps to start your audiologist career.