Audiologists play a vital role in healthcare, diagnosing, managing, and treating hearing, balance, and ear-related issues. This profession necessitates a doctoral degree and licensure in every state. If you’re considering this career path, a key question is: How Much Do Audiologists Make?
Despite the rigorous educational requirements, the demand for audiologists is on the rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 16% growth in employment for audiologists between 2018 and 2028, significantly outpacing the average for all occupations. Let’s dive into the average audiologist salary across the U.S. to see where they earn the most and the least.
Top 10 States with the Highest Audiologist Salaries
According to the BLS, the national average annual wage for audiologists is $83,900, considerably higher than the average wage for all occupations, which stands at $51,960. While many audiologists are employed in physicians’ offices (3,740 out of 13,590 nationally), their average salary in this setting is lower at $78,270. Interestingly, outpatient care centers offer a higher average annual wage of $92,260 for audiologists. This trend of outpatient care centers compensating more than hospitals or physician offices is observed across various healthcare professions.
Here are the top 10 states where audiologists earn the most:
- North Dakota: $119,780
- California: $101,540
- Oklahoma: $94,900
- Delaware: $94,290
- Maryland: $92,940
- New Jersey: $92,800
- Washington: $92,660
- Massachusetts: $91,450
- South Carolina: $90,730
- Arizona: $88,250
Map showing the distribution of stroke death rates across the United States.
This list represents a diverse geographical mix, including states with high living costs like California and more affordable options such as Oklahoma and South Carolina. The presence of West Coast, Southwest, Southern, and Northeastern states demonstrates that high audiologist salaries aren’t confined to a specific region.
10 States with the Lowest Audiologist Salaries
In contrast to the top-paying states, the bottom 10 states for audiologist salaries exhibit a more concentrated pattern. A significant number are located in the U.S. South, with a smaller representation from the Midwest and just one from the Northeast. Let’s examine the average audiologist salaries in these states:
- Mississippi: $60,250
- Kentucky: $67,410
- Kansas: $67,680
- Florida: $69,670
- Louisiana: $70,260
- Ohio: $70,570
- New Hampshire: $71,350
- North Carolina: $71,670
- Missouri: $72,470
- Alabama: $72,760
Line graph depicting the fluctuations in audiologist salaries over time.
Several of these states have experienced a decline in average audiologist salaries over the past five years. For example, Kansas, the third-lowest-paying state, saw an 18.9% decrease in average annual wages from $83,480 in 2014 to $67,680 in 2019. Kentucky also witnessed a substantial decrease of 11.2%, from $75,880 to $67,410 during the same period.
Audiologist Salaries Across All States
To provide a comprehensive overview, here’s a look at the average annual wage for audiologists in all states with available data from 2014 to 2019. When analyzing states by five-year wage growth, North Dakota emerges as the leader, boasting a remarkable 62.8% increase from 2014 to 2019. South Dakota follows in second place, with a 32% growth in average audiologist salaries over the same period.
Ultimately, the answer to “how much do audiologists make” depends heavily on location, experience, and the type of facility they work in. This guide provides a valuable starting point for anyone considering a career in audiology.
