Can someone become a concert pianist (or concert-level pianist) who can't play the piano by ear?

You'll be fine as long as you can read music. That's how you learn it anyways. It's helpful to have an ear and you can work to develop that too but practice a lot (which is required anyways) and you'll be fine.

I am assuming that when you say "play by ear" you mean someone who can hear a piece of music, sit down at the piano, and play it right away. This is an extremely rare talent, and not one that has much bearing on being a concert pianist; when you're playing classical piano, you're not playing something impromptu, you're playing something written. Playing by ear can actually lead to bad habits, since you want to play things how you percieve them, and not focus on what the composer's intentions were. Piano instructors would rather have you focus on technique and theory. That's what you want to do, if you have a goal of being a concert pianist: get a good musical education. Ear training is going to be part of any education in music. You will learn how to hear music and translate that into a written score. To have the skill from birth is an amazing gift, but it can be learned, too. That's the main thing: lots of practice, study of musical theory, and dedication are required, even for the extremely talented. If you play and love the piano, chances are you have a talent for it too; it's just not manifested in the same way as some. But if you're willing to put in the hard work and dedication, you can become a concert pianist; that's more important than being able to play by ear. Good luck!

For classical, yes. Being unable to play by ear has nothing about musical sensitiveness and technical skill cap. For Jazz music or accompanying choirs, singers etc. it is impossible.

I'm about your 8th responder. And unless I'm missing something, so far, I don't think I can agree in essence with any of them. To me it seems you're asking if you can become a concert pianist, without memorizing any piece to be performed in public. Maybe I'm wrong; you should clarify this in "Edit" your question: "Add Details". If what you mean is, can you perform in public as a concert pianist with the sheet music sitting in front of you on the piano's music stand, the answer is a definite NO. If my assumption is wrong, then I apologize, and have wasted your time and mine. Please clarify, Wotan

Playing by ear has nothing to do with being a concert pianist. They have exceptional sight-reading ability.This is more important for classical music. Most have been learning the piano since they were 5 years old.

yes someone can become a piano player even if they can not play by ears.

Yes, of course. I play by ear but that is fine to become a concert pianist as well. Yes, people who play by ear miss out on some stuff, but i think since you read music it is entirely possible. I can read music, but not exceptionally. I prefer to listen and play.

you can try,but you can just be possibly at concert level but no concert pianist its hard because you don't have the ability to transport enough emotions that are needed,good luck