Why and How Should Audiologists Consider Growing as Professionals?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, audiologists have a projected job growth rate of 11% between 2022 – 2032, which is significantly higher than the national average. The average growth rate for jobs within the estimated period is roughly 3%, which means audiology is expected to grow at almost four times the national average. It should be noted that the projections from the BLS indicate employment rate.

Just to put that into better perspective, let’s compare the expected job growth rate for physicians and surgeons within the same projected period. Despite being among the highest paid professionals in the US, positions for new surgeons and physicians are expected to grow at a rate of just 3% within the same 10-year period. Therefore, it’s not a secret that audiologists are among some of the most in-demand professionals in the entire healthcare industry as a whole.

Why Should Audiologists Focus on Additional Growth?

Despite the better employment rate and the excellent future outlook, there is certainly room for growth in the average pay of an audiologist. For example, dentists and audiologists generally need to study for almost a decade or more to properly qualify as certified professionals in their respective fields of healthcare. However, the average pay of an audiologist is close to about $83,000 per year, while dentists earn close to $160,000 per year.

The difference is too high to be easily ignored. There are plenty of other examples to consider as well. Take, for example, the average salary of a nurse practitioner is roughly $126,000, which is once again, significantly higher than that of an audiologist. Neither dentists nor nurse practitioners have it easy and they are each essential professionals in their respective fields. Then again, so are audiologists, and there are ways in which they can improve their income considerably.

Can Audiologists Improve their Income with a Higher Degree?

We looked at the average earnings of an audiologist to make the previous assessments, which is fair from a general perspective. However, if we look a little closer it becomes obvious that the more qualified audiologists earn significantly more than what the average pay suggests.

According to the data provided by the BLS, practicing audiologists with a Doctorate degree earn well over $110,000 per year on average, with the more experienced and reputed audiologists easily crossing the $125,000 per year mark. As suggested by the BLS data observed, if you wish to improve your earnings as an audiologist, consider:

• Completing your education with a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) certification from an accredited institution.
• Getting board certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Board of Audiology.

The added board certifications will not just improve your credibility, but they will also open doors to bigger, more respected healthcare organizations where boar certification is considered a requirement. Completing board certifications from both boards of audiology may not be a requirement, but it will boost your reputation and potential income.

Partner Up with an International Brand

Partnering up with a major brand is a step that any audiologist can take at any point in their respective careers. The best part is that it will always boost your income, provided that you are careful enough to avoid any disreputable or no name brands. Seek opportunities to partner with an international brand of hearing care product manufacturers and designers. Ensure that they have a reputable market presence.

Not only will it broaden your horizons as a professional, but these professional hubs are also ideal places to find new professional connections, find better employment opportunities, and become a part of the constantly evolving hearing care solution industry itself. To better understand how a brand partnership can help audiologists grow professionally, visit phonak.com/en-us/professionals/become-a-partner.

Start Your Own Practice

The average income of a practicing audiologist with his/her own practice is higher than the profession’s overall average income. While there are jobs in the top 10% – 20% that surpass the average earnings of an independent audiologist, they are not easy to land. They also do not give audiologists the same degree of professional freedom that is exclusive to self-employment.

On average, an independent, treating practitioner of audiology earns $95,000 per year, but the more experienced and reputed ones can earn more than $110,000+ per year. The general advice, as suggested by some of the most successful audiologists in the US healthcare right now is that you should get your degrees and board certifications while working in a hospital or a clinic first. Once you have gathered enough experience, all the connections, and the important qualifications, look for opportunities to get started on your own. If you can also partner up with a big brand in the process, their vast resources should help in making the transition even easier.