According to Business Insider, audiology was rated among the top careers in 2017 that provide good pay and also offer a good work-life balance. The top 16 careers in this year’s list were chosen from among 478 occupations in the US, using the Minnesota Population Center’s 2015 American Community Survey Integrated Public Use Microdata Series.
According to the survey data, the average American worker puts in nearly 40 hours a week and has a total income of approximately $52,293.
Careers in Audiology, Other Health Professions, Dominate Rankings
Among the top 16 careers, many are found to be healthcare professions. Professionals from among the list below, report on average, report earning at least $60,000 a year, and working less than 40 hours a week on average.
1) Dentist
- Hours worked in average week: 38.7
- Average income: $188,151
2) Optometrist
- Hours worked in average week: 39.3
- Average income: $120,958
3) Pharmacist
- Hours worked in average week: 37.7
- Average income: $103,711
4) Chiropractor
- Hours worked in average week: 39.7
- Average income: $92,088
5) Psychologist
- Hours worked in average week: 37.4
- Average income: $81,837
6) Audiologist
- Hours worked in average week: 38.0
- Average income: $77,925
7) Radiation Therapist
- Hours worked in average week: 37.9
- Average income: $72,077
8) Technical Writer
- Hours worked in average week: 39.4
- Average income: $70,890
9) Physical Therapist (PT)
- Hours worked in average week: 38.1
- Average income: $70,487
10) Post-Secondary Teachers
- Hours worked in average week: 37.5
- Average income: $65,946
11) Writers and Authors
- Hours worked in average week: 35.7
- Average income: $65,298
12) Registered Nurse (RN)
- Hours worked in average week: 37.8
- Average income: $63,295
13) Fundraiser
- Hours worked in average week: 38.9
- Average income: $62,543
14) Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Hours worked in average week: 36.4
- Average income: $61,411
15) Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
- Hours worked in average week: 36.6
- Average income: $60,326
16) Judicial Law Clerks
- Hours worked in average week: 39.8
- Average income: $60,230
Not First Time Audiology Listed as Top Career Choice
Audiology has been picked as a top career choice in various publications over the years. In 2015, for example, Audiology was named the “Best Job in America” by Time magazine. Since then, the profession has also been listed among the “least stressful” professions in both 2016 and 2017.
Of course, the annual lists are not without their detractors, with many disagreeing with the ranking methods and conclusions of the various lists. However, supporters have said that regardless of the accuracy of the lists, the rankings help raise the profile of audiology in the public consciousness.
Becoming an Audiologist
Thinking of becoming an audiologist? Becoming an audiologist does require several years of advanced study, typically 3-4 years beyond a Bachelor’s degree. Since 2007, the Doctor of Audiology degree (AuD) has become the entry level requirement to practice audiology in the US.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession of audiology is expected to grow at a rate of 29% through the year 2024.
Alright now hang on… how on earth is the average salary of a writer so high? What exactly makes a person a writer or not a writer? I think there are plenty of writers who don’t have a single published book and therefore technically make $0 a year from writing.