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Audiologist

Audiologists work with people to prevent, assess, and diagnose hearing and balance issues. They also provide treatment, guidance, counselling, and aural habilitation or rehabilitation.

Also Known As

Hearing Professional

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 3141.1: Audiologists

2006 NOC-S

  • D041: Audiologists and SpeechLanguage Pathologists

2011 NOC

  • 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2016 NOC

  • 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2021 NOC

  • 31112: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2023 OaSIS

  • 31112.01: Audiologists
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Audiologists may work with a specific age group, such as infants, preschoolers, or seniors, or with people of all ages. In general, they:

  • Test, measure, and treat hearing and balance issues using specialized tools and technologies
  • Assess the degree, type, and cause of hearing or balance problems
  • Help clients manage cerumen (earwax)
  • Recommend, select, and fit listening devices such as hearing aids, auditory training systems, cochlear implants, and BAHA devices
  • Recommend and select assistive listening devices such as telephone adaptors, visual alerting systems, and alarms
  • Teach clients how to use these devices
  • Plan and provide custom rehabilitation programs such as auditory training, speech reading, and communication strategies
  • Train clients to manage tinnitus (perceived sound with no external source) and hyperacusis (reduced tolerance to sound)
  • Help parents, educators, and others learn to communicate better with those experiencing hearing challenges
  • Document, store, and manage client records
  • Assess and manage central auditory processing disorders
  • Consult with other audiologists, health-care providers, and educators

Audiologists sometimes work in teams with other professionals. These might include speech-language pathologists, hearing aid practitioners, otolaryngologists (ear-nose-throat doctors) and other physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, educators, occupational therapists, or physical therapists. These teams may focus on evaluating the outcomes of interventions such as amplification (such as with hearing aids) or communication and speech reading strategies. They may research ways to prevent hearing loss in work, school, and leisure settings.

Some audiologists:

  • Develop and supervise hearing screening programs
  • Develop, implement, and supervise aural rehabilitation programs
  • Plan and provide noise management programs to protect and conserve hearing
  • Train and supervise students, professionals, and therapy assistants
  • Conduct research in hearing and balance
  • Work for companies that manufacture hearing aids
  • Teach in universities and colleges
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Most audiologists work regular weekday office hours. They may work with individuals or teams in private clinics, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, or schools.

Audiologists must practice biosafety measures, such as safe specimen handling and proper waste disposal. Some audiologists may provide services using virtual (online) options for providing comprehensive audiological care.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
I
Investigative
This occupation
You
S
Social
R
Realistic
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Audiologists
2023 OaSIS: 31112.01

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Audiologists need:

  • Speaking and listening skills
  • People skills, including empathy and sensitivity
  • Problem-solving skills
  • The ability to focus and pay attention to details
  • The ability to work on teams

They should enjoy:

  • Working with people
  • Solving problems
  • Operating equipment

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2016 NOC: 3141

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 51 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 10, 2022 and Sep 24, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Effective interpersonal skills
Team player
Excellent oral communication
Excellent written communication
Values and ethics
Dependability
Flexibility
Organized
Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Licensure by provincial or territorial authorities
Reliability
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 6 years post-secondary

An audiologist needs at least a master’s degree. Universities and colleges in Alberta offer 4-year bachelor’s degree programs. These programs prepare students for a masters’ degree in audiology. Several universities in Canada offer related master’s degree programs, but there are none in Alberta.

Some audiologists get a doctorate in audiology from a school in the United States.

Audiologists must complete a clinical internship before graduation.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Provincially regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Audiologist

Audiologists work with people to prevent, assess, and diagnose hearing and balance issues. They provide treatment, guidance, counselling, and aural rehabilitation. They also teach, manage, and conduct research in the science and practice of audiology.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) is mandatory. Only registered members may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:

  • Meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public
  • Teach the practice of the profession to others
  • Supervise registered members
  • Use the titles and designations: audiologist, AuD, and R.Aud

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Audiologist.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Most audiologists work at:

  • Private clinics
  • Rehabilitation centres
  • Hospitals
  • Community health centres
  • School boards

Some work as:

  • Researchers at hospitals, universities, or government agencies
  • Speech and hearing program administrators
  • Sales reps for hearing aid companies (to learn more, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile)

Most research positions require a doctorate. Some audiologists operate their own private clinics.

There is potential for specialization within the field of audiology, such as pediatric audiology.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
2016 NOC: 3141

96.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
2021 NOC: 31112
Hot
Job Market
2,100
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
2016 NOC: 3141
2.2%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
36
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2021 NOC: 31112
Average Wage
$53.92
Per Hour
Average Salary
$91,890.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.1
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 31112 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $42.00 $48.00 $43.24 $42.53
Overall $42.77 $59.88 $53.92 $54.14
Top $55.25 $68.69 $58.22 $56.50

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
67%
67%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
86%
86%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
31%
31%
Vacancy Rate
9%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
  • Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) website: www.acslpa.ab.ca

Canadian Academy of Audiology website: canadianaudiology.ca

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada website: www.sac-oac.ca

Western National Centre for Audiology website: www.uwo.ca/nca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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