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Audiologist Assistant: Career Outlook for Audiologist Assistants

Published Sep 05, 2009

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Audiologist assistants work side-by-side with audiologists to test and treat individuals suffering from hearing and balance disorders. In addition to handling clerical duties and other routine office tasks, audiologist assistants perform screenings and prepare patients for testing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov, predicts a promising future for audiologist assistants. The field was expected to grow by 25% in the decade ending in 2016.

Audiologist Assistant Career Summary

Audiologist assistants play support roles in the practices of audiologists, who treat individuals suffering from hearing, balance and other ear-related disorders. The exact responsibilities of audiologist assistants depend on the needs of the practices where they work and their levels of training and qualifications.

In general, audiologist assistants perform standard tasks like repairing hearing aids and maintaining office equipment. They also might handle billing, record-keeping and other basic clerical duties. Audiologist assistants often perform routine screenings for neonatal patients and help prepare other patients for various types of testing.

The minimum education for an audiologist assistant is a high school diploma, though certificate and degree programs in audiology assisting are available at some community and technical colleges. Many states license audiologist assistants; interested individuals should check with their state's board to verify certification requirements.

Audiologist Assistant Salary and Career Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual salary of an audiologist assistant was around $45,000 in 2006. The highest-paid ten percent in the field earned in excess of $58,000 a year, and the lowest-paid ten percent made close to $26,000 a year. Audiologist assistants working in private practice settings earned more than those employed by hospitals or nursing care facilities.

According to the BLS, the career outlook for audiologist assistants (and other occupational therapy assistants) is particularly bright. Approximately 6,400 jobs were expected to be created between 2006 and 2016. This expansion was partially attributed to an increased need for qualified assistants as the population ages.

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