Do you want to enjoy a high salary and strong job demand? Working in healthcare could be a great choice for you. It is expected in the coming years that healthcare jobs will increase by almost 20%, with more than two million new jobs created. The median salary for all healthcare workers in 2017 was $64,700, much higher than the median salary for all US occupations at $37,600.
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To earn the highest salary in your healthcare career, consider the following jobs:
#1 Pharmacist
Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing prescription drugs to patients and provide advice to them about how to use prescription drugs. They also often provide advice to patients about how to live a healthier lifestyle, do health and wellness screenings, give immunizations and generally oversee drugs that are prescribed to patients.
The median salary for pharmacists is $117,000, with a 14% rise in demand anticipated by 2020.
#2 Nurse Anesthetist
A nurse anesthetist is a highly specialized nurse who specializes in administering anesthesia during medical procedures or surgeries. A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice registered nurse with at least a master’s degree in nursing, and may have a doctoral degree in some cases.
The median salary for CRNAs is $129,000 per year, with 30% rise in demand expected through 2020.
#3 Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a type of advanced practice nurse who can perform many of the same job duties as a doctor. An NP is a primary and specialty care provider that provides advanced nursing services to patients and families. They assess patients, determine best ways to manage or improve health and talk to patients about how to integrate health promotion techniques into the lives of patients.
The median salary for nurse practitioners is $103,800 per year, and job growth is expected to be 31% through 2026, much faster than average.
#4 Physician Assistant
A physician assistant practices primary and secondary care medicine with doctors, surgeons and related healthcare workers. They are primarily charged with examining, diagnosing and treating patients. PAs work in all areas of healthcare, especially primary care and family medicine, surgery, psychiatry and emergency medicine. A PA may be the primary care provider in areas where doctors are not available on a regular basis.
The median salary for PAs is $104,800, and jobs are expected to increase by 37% through 2026, which is much faster than average.
#5 Medical and Health Services Manager
A medical and health services manager may be referred to in some quarters as a healthcare executive or healthcare administrator. They are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating medical and health services. They may be responsible for managing the entire healthcare facility or specialize in one area or department. Some medical and health services managers could manage a medical practice for a group of doctors.
The median salary in this field is $98,400, and job demand is expected to rise by 20% in the next six years.
#6 Biomedical Engineer
A biomedical engineer combines the principles of engineering with the biological and medical sciences to create devices, equipment, computer systems and software that is used in healthcare. They also may design electrical circuits, software to run advanced medical equipment, or computer simulations to test new types of drug therapies. These engineers also often build artificial body parts, including hip and knee joints.
The median salary for biomedical engineers is $88,000, and the top 10% earn more than $140,000 per year. Job demand will rise by 7% through 2026.
#7 Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist is charged with cleaning the teeth of patients, examining them for any signs of oral diseases or decay, including gingivitis, and also doing other preventative care dental care. Dental hygienists are also in charge of providing education to patients on how to improve and maintain good oral health.
The median salary for this field is $74,000 per year, and job demand is expected to increase by 20% through 2024, which is much faster than average.
#8 Radiation Therapist
A radiation therapist provides treatment for cancer and other serious diseases by administering radiation treatments. They usually operate machines, including linear accelerators, to provide intense and concentrated radiation therapy to the tumor of a patient. Radiation treatment can be effective to shrink or remove cancers and tumors. Radiation therapists typically work with other healthcare professionals to treatment cancer in patients, including radiation oncologists, oncology nurses and medical physicists.
The median salary for radiation therapists was $80,500 in May 2017, and job demand is expected to rise by 13% through 2026, which is faster than average.
#9 Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist treats ill, injured or disabled patients through the use of everyday activities. They assist patients to develop, recover, improve and maintain skills that are needed for daily working and living. Patients who have permanent disabilities including cerebral palsy, may need help regularly to handle their daily tasks of living.
These therapists show their patients how to use adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs, eating aids and leg braces. These helpful devices are important so patients can live a normal life. Many occupational therapists work with children in school so that the children can participate normally in educational activities.
The median salary for occupational therapists is $84,000 per year, and job demand is expected to rise by a healthy 24% through 2026.
#10 Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists make radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for various medical purposes. They offer technical support to doctors and other medical personnel in the care, diagnosis and treatment of patients, and for investigation and research into how radioactive drugs are used. They also can work as emergency responders during a nuclear disaster.
The median salary for nuclear medicine technologists was $76,000 in 2017, and job demand is expected to rise by 10%, which is faster than average.
#11 Speech Pathologist
A speech language pathologist is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, treating and helping to prevent swallowing and communication disorders in all ages of patients. Disorders involving speech, language and swallowing can occur due to a variety of reasons, including brain injury, stroke, hearing loss, cleft palate, emotional problems or cerebral palsy.
The median salary for speech pathologists is $76,600, and job demand is expected to rise by 18% through 2026, much faster than average.
#12 Registered Nurse
An RN provides and coordinates patient care, gives education to patients and their families about various medical problems and also gives advice and emotional support to families and patients. Most RNs work with doctors and other medical professionals, and some supervise licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants and home health aides.
Some nurses are general care RNs that care for all patients in a hospital, but others may care for certain types of patients. Some of the most common types of RNs are:
- Addiction nurse
- Cardiovascular nurse
- Critical care nurse
- Genetics nurse
- Neonatology nurse
- Nephrology nurse
- Public health nurse
- Rehabilitation nurse
BLS reports the median salary for RNs is $70,000 as of May 2017, and job demand is expected to grow by 15% through 2026, much faster than average.
References
- Radiation Therapists. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiation-therapists.htm
- Healthcare Occupations. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm
- Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-2
- Top 10 Healthcare Jobs. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/top-10-health-care-jobs-salary
