Audiologists
Machines can already do 26% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 47%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Audiologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 26% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 47% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 13,660 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $95,780 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 93% for contact with people.
- Also called: Audiologist, Audiology Doctor (AUD), Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology Licensed Audiologist (CCC-A Licensed Audiologist), Clinical Audiologist.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids | 17% | 3% to 25% | |
| Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities | 14% | 63% to 81% | |
| Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment | 14% | 3% to 25% | |
| Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment | 10% | 54% to 76% | |
| Counsel and instruct patients and their families in techniques to improve hearing and communication related to hearing loss | 8% | 22% to 42% | |
| Perform administrative tasks, such as managing office functions and finances | 5% | 9% to 23% | |
| Monitor patients' progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status | 4% | 36% to 68% | |
| Recommend assistive devices according to patients' needs or nature of impairments | 4% | 32% to 50% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills audiologists use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much audiologists rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver8/10
- Trust and reliability9/10
- Know-how about the organisation9/10
- Network and relationships8/10
- Mentoring and developing others7/10
- Culture and morale7/10
- Initiative beyond the role5/10
- Calm in a crisis7/10
- Bridge between teams8/10
- Reputation and influence8/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Hearing Aid Specialists33% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,160
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons31% of tasks by 2035 · US median $352,220
- Podiatrists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $160,300
- Respiratory Therapists38% of tasks by 2035 · US median $82,280
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Audiologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of audiologists?
Machines can do 26% of the tasks of audiologists today and 47% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1181.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Audiologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/audiologists/