Healthcare careers are great for people who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Everyone from brain surgeons to housekeeping staff can have a positive impact on the patients they see every day.
Medical field jobs can range from part-time to full-time and have a wide range of different educational requirements and necessary skills.
Not only is working in healthcare fulfilling, but most healthcare jobs also offer great job security and decent salaries. Healthcare careers offer plenty of room for advancement and learning and are easily transferable from location to location.
This guide goes over the top healthcare jobs for 2024 and beyond.
List of Jobs in Healthcare
There are medical field jobs available for everyone from entry-level workers to people with advanced training and degrees. There are hundreds of different healthcare jobs available in a variety of different settings. Jobs in hospitals, home health, therapy offices, care centers, and surgical centers are in high demand.
Whether you are looking for some extra work on the weekends or choosing to start a lifelong career, here is a list of some of the best jobs in healthcare.
1. Medical Assistant
A medical assistant is someone who works alongside a physician to give care to patients. They usually work in a clinic or a doctors office and do things like measuring vital signs and scheduling appointments. Medical assistants can also work in specialty clinics like dermatology, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.
Median salary: $42,000
Number of jobs in US: 764,400
Job outlook: 14% increase from 2022-2032
Education required: High School Diploma or GED required, medical assistant certification preferred
2. Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician helps to refill prescriptions at a pharmacy, counting pills and ensuring that everything stays organized. In a hospital, they make sure the medication cabinets are well-stocked and that emergency medications are always available.
Median salary: $40,300
Number of jobs in US: 459,600
Job outlook: 6% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED + certification
3. Medical Administrative Assistant
A medical administrative assistant performs front-office duties and helps manage the daily workflow in a healthcare facility. Their job description usually includes scheduling appointments, keeping patient records up to date, answering phones, working with billing and insurance, and keeping the office organized.
Median salary: $43,380
Number of jobs in US: 749,500
Job outlook: 16% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
4. Surgical Tech
A surgical tech helps the surgeon during surgery, assisting them by handing them tools, retracting skin for a better view, and suctioning blood out of the way. Surgical technicians are also responsible for making sure that the environment around the surgery stays completely sterile. They have to know the correct tools for each surgery and how to position the patient so the surgeon can do their job well.
Median salary: $60,370 (see surgical tech salaries by state here)
Number of jobs in US: 128,900
Job outlook: 5% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
5. Certified Nursing Assistant
Nursing assistants usually work in hospitals and long-term care centers. They help nurses to care for sick or injured patients. Certified nursing assistants spend a lot of their time helping patients with their activities of daily living. This includes personal hygiene tasks, moving from a bed to a chair, and emptying their bowel and bladder.
Median salary: $38,130
Number of jobs in US: 1,406,800
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
6. Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples from a patient and getting them safely sent to a lab. The blood samples they take can test for electrolyte imbalances, blood infections, hormonal problems, and cancers. It is important that they know how to use needles safely, including being sterile and disposing of them properly.
Median salary: $41,810
Number of jobs in US: 139,400
Job outlook: 8% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
7. Laboratory Technician
A laboratory technician works in a lab, often in a hospital or other healthcare facility. They receive samples of blood, urine, stool, and sputum for analysis. They have to quickly and accurately identify problems with samples in case they need to be drawn again, and need to be able to spot subtle changes in samples as they react with the test solutions.
Median salary: $60,780
Number of jobs in US: 342,900
Job outlook: 5% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor's Degree
8. Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are usually found working in an ambulance or public event. They provide basic first aid to people in need and help to care for patients with everything from sprained ankles to cardiac arrest. They may also be responsible for taking ECG recordings and driving an ambulance to and from the hospital.
An EMT is a great job for pre-med students or those taking a med school gap year as you'll get hands-on patient experience in high-pressure situations.
Median salary: $44,780
Number of jobs in US: 269,000
Job outlook: 5% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
9. Paramedic
Paramedics are often part of a firefighting or police unit. They are more advanced than EMTs and are responsible for giving medications and performing basic assessments in an emergency. Many paramedics are also trained to perform advanced procedures like putting in breathing tubes while out on emergency calls. Some paramedics become flight paramedics and fly in medical planes or helicopters.
Median salary: $44,780
Number of jobs in US: 269,000
Job outlook: 5% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
10. Emergency Dispatch
An emergency dispatch worker is a person who answers the phone when you call 911. They must be able to stay calm in an emergency and know what types of questions to ask the caller. They are often responsible for walking people through performing CPR or delivering a baby safely. Emergency dispatch workers are quick thinkers and make sure the right people are notified of scary situations.
Median salary: $48,890
Number of jobs in US: 99,500
Job outlook: 3% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
11. Registered Nurse
There are more registered nurses in the United States than almost any other healthcare profession. Nurses work in care centers, hospitals, clinics, and operating rooms. Some nurses work for corporations like law firms and insurance companies to look over charting and create health plans. Nurses are responsible for monitoring patients, giving medications, and informing the doctor of any changes or problems they see with their patients.
Median salary: $86,070
Number of jobs in US: 3,172,500
Job outlook: 6% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Associate Degree
12. Dialysis Technician
When people are in severe kidney failure, they sometimes need dialysis. A dialysis machine cleans the blood and returns it to the patient, removing toxins and electrolytes that the kidneys would normally take care of. A dialysis technician is responsible for monitoring this machine as well as the patient receiving dialysis.
Median salary: $40,851
Number of jobs in US: 9,510
Job outlook: 11% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High School Diploma or GED and certification
13. Dentist
Dentists work in dental offices and spend their days assessing teeth and correcting tooth problems. Primarily, they place fillings and crowns, perform root canal procedures, and extract bad teeth. Dentists can also prescribe medications like sedatives and antibiotics to keep their patients safe and comfortable during their procedures.
Median salary: $170,910
Number of jobs in US: 155,000
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
14. Dental Assistant
A dental assistant works alongside the dentist while they perform different procedures. Dental assistants will hold suction to help the dentist see, and hand the dentist their tools as they ask for them. They also have administrative duties like scheduling appointments and answering phone calls in the office.
Median salary: $46,540
Number of jobs in US: 371,000
Job outlook: 7% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High School Diploma or GED and certification
15. Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist is the person who performs deep cleanings on your teeth. They use special tools to clean plaque that a normal person cannot get to, and can apply fluoride to strengthen your teeth. They also take x-rays to help the dentist identify cavities and can give lidocaine injections to keep you comfortable during your dental cleaning or procedure. Dental hygienists often have much lower stress levels compared to other healthcare professions.
Median salary: $87,530
Number of jobs in US: 219,400
Job outlook: 7% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Associate Degree
>> Read More: Dental Hygienist vs. Dental Assistant
16. Veterinarian
A veterinarian is a physician for animals. They have to have a broad understanding of all different types of household pets. Although they primarily see cats and dogs, even different breeds of the same animal can have very different anatomy and different health problems. Some veterinarians specialize in a certain type of animal like horses or reptiles. Others specialize in specific problems like optometry for animals.
Median salary: $119,100
Number of jobs in US: 89,500
Job outlook: 20% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
17. Veterinary Technician
A veterinary technician helps the veterinarian take care of pets and animals. They are typically the person who will weigh your animal, give them medications, and cut their nails. Veterinary technicians also have the big jobs of keeping the veterinary clinic clean, helping keep everything orderly in the waiting room, handling billing problems, and scheduling appointments.
Median salary: $43,740
Number of jobs in US: 122,900
Job outlook: 21% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Associate Degree
18. Radiography Technician
Radiography technicians perform x-rays on patients to get images of different parts of the body. They might work in an instacare where they primarily scan for broken bones, or in a hospital where they will mostly scan for lung problems and to check placement of invasive lines. A radiography technician is not allowed to interpret the results of an X-ray, they must send the images to a medical doctor.
Median salary: $76,020
Number of jobs in US: 264,100
Job outlook: 6% from 2022-2032
Education required: Associate Degree
19. Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists mostly work in hospitals alongside nurses. They administer breathing treatments, help with breathing exercises, and collect sputum samples from patients. Respiratory therapists are also the experts on ventilators in the intensive care unit. They have to have a good understanding of lung physiology in order to care for these critically ill patients.
Median salary: $77,960
Number of jobs in US: 133,100
Job outlook: 13% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Associate Degree
20. Athletic Trainer
Athletic trainers can work for professional sports teams, college athletic programs, high schools, or local fitness centers. Athletic trainers are specially trained to help athletes reach their peak performance while helping them avoid injury or overuse. Athletic trainers must also be proficient in administering first aid, and know what to do in case an athlete gets injured during play.
Median salary: $57,930
Number of jobs in US: 23,800
Job outlook: 14% from 2022-2032
Education required: Master’s Degree
21. Surgeon
There are many different types of surgeons, and they all go through extensive training before they are allowed to practice independently. Surgeons might specialize in orthopedics, neurology, cardiothoracic, or abdominal surgeries. While surgeons are highly paid, they have a big responsibility to keep their patients safe, and make sure the entire operating room staff is performing well.
Median salary: $239,200
Number of jobs in US: 816,900
Job outlook: 3% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
22. Medical Records Specialists
People who love to work with data, are good with computers, and are detail oriented make great medical records specialists. Medical records specialists go through patient medical records to audit for billing, look for errors, and ensure that everything has been charted accurately.
Median salary: $48,780
Number of jobs in US: 194,300
Job outlook: 8% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High School Diploma or GED plus certificate
23. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists help people regain their strength after an injury or a hospital stay. Physical therapists in the hospital might help people re-learn to walk, and physical therapists in an athletic center can help athletes return to their sport after an injury. Physical therapists create exercise plans for their patients, as well as helping them with strengthening, stretching, and massaging their injured area.
Median salary: $99,710
Number of jobs in US: 246,800
Job outlook: 15% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
24. Physical Therapy Assistant
A physical therapist cannot do all of their work alone. They need a physical therapy assistant to help patients around their clinic. Assistants can help patients with exercises, schedule appointments, clean and prepare equipment, and assist with procedures.
Median salary: $58,740
Number of jobs in US: 145,100
Job outlook: 19% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Associates Degree
25. Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist works with patients to get them to their highest level of functioning. They often work in hospitals or outpatient centers helping people who have been severely ill. They help people re-learn basic tasks like brushing their teeth or getting out of bed safely. Occupational therapists often work closely with physical therapists to help patients regain their strength.
Median salary: $96,370
Number of jobs in US: 139,600
Job outlook: 12% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Master's Degree
26. Speech Therapist
Speech therapists don’t just help people talk. They help patients learn to use the muscles in their mouth. One of the most important things a speech therapist does is help people learn to chew food and swallow safely. Some speech therapists work primarily with newborn babies who struggle eating. They determine how to help them get nutrition and hydration safely.
Median salary: $89,290
Number of jobs in US: 171,400
Job outlook: 19% from 2022-2032
Education required: Master’s Degree
27. Child Life Therapist
Staying in the hospital can be traumatizing for a child, especially if they have a long or scary hospital stay. Child life therapists help these young patients deal with being sick or hospitalized, and bring some normalcy into their lives. Child life therapists might play games, read to, or do arts and crafts with the children they care for.
Median salary: $60,380
Number of jobs in US: 53,500
Job outlook: 7% from 2022-2032
Education required: Master’s Degree
28. Family Physician
A family physician usually works in a doctors office and helps patients with routine checkups and mild illnesses. Family physicians can care for anyone from infancy through old age, and have to know about a wide range of health problems. Family physicians can make diagnoses, write prescriptions, and perform basic procedures like stitches.
Median salary: $239,200
Number of jobs in US: 816,900
Job outlook: 3% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
29. Housekeeping
Housekeeping staff are an under-recognized part of the healthcare team. They work in all kinds of healthcare facilities, keeping everything from hospital rooms to surgical suites clean and organized.
Median salary: $35,020
Number of jobs in US: 2,382,900
Job outlook: 1% from 2022-2032
Education required: On-the-job training
30. Perfusionist
Even in healthcare, not many people know what a perfusionist does. A perfusionist works in a hospital with surgeons performing cardiothoracic surgeries. When a patient has heart surgery, they are placed on a bypass machine that pumps blood and gives it oxygen while the heart stands still. A perfusionist is the person responsible for managing the heart and lung bypass machine. They almost always work in the operating room, but sometimes work in intensive care units as well.
Median salary: $100,000
Number of jobs in US: 13,000
Job outlook: from 2022-2032
Education required: Master's Degree
31. Audiologist
An audiologist is a doctor who specializes in problems with ears and hearing. They work with patients from infancy through adulthood, performing hearing tests, prescribing hearing aids, and helping people manage their hearing problems.
Median salary: $87,740
Number of jobs in US: 14,400
Job outlook: 11% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
32. Physician Assistant
Physician assistants work in clinics, doctors offices, instacares, operating rooms, and hospitals. They can make diagnoses, perform basic procedures, and write prescriptions. Physician assistants must work under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Median salary: $130,020
Number of jobs in US: 148,000
Job outlook: 27% from 2022-2032
Education required: Master's Degree
33. Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a nurse with an advanced degree who can write prescriptions, make diagnoses, and perform procedures. They are similar to physician assistants in their scope of practice and in that they must always work under the supervision of a doctor.
Median salary: $129,480
Number of jobs in US: 323,900
Job outlook: 38% from 2022-2032 (fastest growing healthcare job)
Education required: Master’s Degree
34. Nurse Midwife
A nurse midwife is an advanced practice nurse who specializes in the care of pregnant and laboring women. Many women see a nurse midwife throughout their entire pregnancy and delivery. Nurse midwives can care for all normal, healthy pregnancies, but must refer high-risk pregnancies to an OBGYN-MD.
Median salary: $129,480
Number of jobs in US: 323,900
Job outlook: 38% from 2022-2032 (fastest growing healthcare job)
Education required: Master’s Degree
35. Anesthesiologist
During surgery, you hope to stay asleep and unaware of what is happening. An anesthesiologist is the person who helps keep you unconscious but still safe during your surgery. They will closely monitor your vital signs during surgery and can administer medications if your heart rate or blood pressure get too low.
Median salary: $339,470
Number of jobs in US: 33,470
Job outlook: 8% from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
36. Health Education Specialist
When someone goes home with a complex diagnosis or new medication regime, they might feel overwhelmed and confused. A health education specialist helps people understand their medications and care plan. They might specialize in problems like diabetes, kidney failure, or heart failure.
Median salary: $62,860
Number of jobs in US: 60,400
Job outlook: 7% from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor’s Degree
37. Public Health Official
Public health officials analyze data from the community and create plans to solve problems when needed. They often start health initiatives to help people lose weight, quit smoking, or get their scheduled vaccinations. They work closely with local leaders to help improve the health of the community.
Median salary: $62,860
Number of jobs in US: 60,400
Job outlook: 7% from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor’s Degree
38. Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
The heart is one of the most important muscles of the body. If you have a heart attack, heart surgery, or suffer from heart failure, a cardiac rehabilitation specialist can be like a personal trainer for your heart. They will usually hook people up to heart monitors and coach their clients on different exercises to strengthen their heart muscles without stressing it too much.
Median salary: $41,208
Number of jobs in US: 21,400
Job outlook: 11% from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor’s Degree
39. EKG Technician
EKG technicians work in hospitals, cardiac offices, and instacares. Their job is to attach special monitoring to patients and take a reading of the electrical activity of the heart. They must know how to correctly place all 12 monitoring cords on the patient in order to get an accurate picture of the heart. EKGs can diagnose heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, and some heart failure.
Median salary: $66,170
Number of jobs in US: 55,660
Job outlook: 2% from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
40. Dietician
Dieticians help their patients use food to improve their health. They can create plans for people who want to lose weight, gain weight, lower their cholesterol, manage diabetes, or improve their overall health. Dietitians can work with anyone from patients in the hospital to elite athletes.
Median salary: $69,680
Number of jobs in US: 78,600
Job outlook: 7% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor’s Degree
41. Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed clinical social workers help people manage psychological, medical, emotional, social, and familial challenges. They generally work in clinics and hospitals, but many have started working from home and doing virtual appointments via video conference or phone calls.
Median salary: $58,380
Number of jobs in US: 728,600
Job outlook: 7% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Master’s Degree
42. Case Manager
When someone gets sick, they can be overwhelmed by plans for the future, dealing with paperwork, and managing home care services. A case manager helps patients navigate through insurance, home health, therapies, and other complicated issues. They act as an advocate for the patient and make sure they can maintain their health over the long term.
Median salary: $77,030
Number of jobs in US: 178,400
Job outlook: 9% from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor’s Degree
43. Hospital CEO
A hospital CEO is ultimately responsible for the financial success or failure of a hospital. They handle problems related to supply issues, staffing problems, and legal difficulties. While they usually have a large number of people to delegate to, they have a lot on their plate.
Median salary: $258,900
Number of jobs in US: 211,230
Job outlook: 2% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Master's Degree
44. Healthcare Research
Healthcare researchers study all kinds of healthcare problems and solutions. People in this medical job may research what makes a specific population healthier than another, or why one medication works better than another one. They have to complete many ethics courses to make sure that they act responsibly and safely in all of their research projects.
Median salary: $100,890
Number of jobs in US: 119,000
Job outlook: 10% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
45. College Professor
Healthcare college professors are in high demand, and make a big impact on the future of healthcare. Professors can teach everyone from future medical assistants to medical doctors. They usually work in colleges or universities, although some are able to teach remotely most or all of the time.
Median salary: $84,380
Number of jobs in US: 1,333,900
Job outlook: 8% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor’s Degree or one degree higher than what you would like to teach.
46. Pharmacist
A pharmacist is an expert in all kinds of medicines. Because there are so many different medications, pharmacists will often specialize in a specific area. Hospital pharmacists must understand different medications than pharmacists that work in a clinic. A pharmacist can answer medication questions from both patients and doctors, and they have to keep a close eye out for any medication mixtures that can be dangerous or deadly.
Median salary: $136,030
Number of jobs in US: 334,200
Job outlook: 3% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree (see pharmacy school requirements and prerequisites here)
47. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
A diagnostic medical sonographer is also known as an ultrasound technician. They can take ultrasound images of many body parts but are mostly known for performing ultrasounds on pregnant mothers. Medical sonographers can also ultrasound the kidneys, the heart, the liver, the stomach, and almost anything else with fluid inside of it. They cannot interpret results and must send scanned images to a physician for further evaluation.
Median salary: $70,720
Number of jobs in US: 55,660
Job outlook: 2% from 2022-2032
Education required: Associate Degree
48. Psychologist
A psychologist is someone who studies the human mind. They often study mental health disorders, personality disorders, and cognitive deficits. They cannot prescribe medication and primarily focus on research.
Median salary: $92,740
Number of jobs in US: 196,000
Job outlook: 6% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
49. Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist treats patients with mental health conditions. They can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for all types of mental health disorders. They often work in clinics, behavioral health centers, and hospitals.
Median salary: $256,930
Number of jobs in US: 24,830
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
50. Massage Therapist
Massage therapists work in spas and wellness centers. They help people feel better by massaging their sore or tight muscles. Massage therapists spend most of the day on their feet and rely heavily on tips from their customers. They can help people with everything from relaxing spa days to alleviating pain from injuries.
Median salary: $55,310
Number of jobs in US: 134,300
Job outlook: 18% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
51. Dispensing Optician
Dispensing opticians work in optometry offices and help people get fitted for new glasses. They use measurements taken by the doctor to help make sure that lenses and frames are the correct size and prescription.
Median salary: $44,170
Number of jobs in US: 73,300
Job outlook: 3% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED required
52. Chiropractor
Chiropractors perform adjustments on people that can help with everything from soreness to acid reflux. There are even pediatric chiropractors who work on babies with colic and sleep problems. Chiropractors often use alternative medicines like acupuncture and massage to tret their patients.
Median salary: $76,530
Number of jobs in US: 55,000
Job outlook: 9% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
53. Optometrist
An optometrist is a doctor who specializes in vision and eye disorders. They help people with glasses and contacts, treat glaucoma, and look for eye abnormalities. Optometrists can perform basic procedures but they do not do laser vision correction or other eye surgeries.
Median salary: $131,860
Number of jobs in US: 43,400
Job outlook: 9% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
54. Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselors help families plan for their futures by assessing and managing genetic risk. A genetic counselor can look at family histories to help people determine if their children might be born with genetic abnormalities. They do a lot of research and help families make difficult decisions.
Median salary: $95,770
Number of jobs in US: 3,500
Job outlook: 16% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Degree
55. Medical Transcriptionist
A medical transcriptionist listens to physician dictations and transcribes them to an electronic health record. Medical transcriptionists must be great with computers and have a good knowledge of medical terminology. Medical transcription is one of the only jobs with an expected decline in outlook.
Median salary: $37,060
Number of jobs in US: 49,000
Job outlook: -4% decline from 2022-2032
Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
56. Podiatrist
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the care of feet. They can perform some bedside procedures like the removal of plantar warts and giving steroid injections. They treat conditions like bunions, ingrown toenails, broken toes, and wounds and ulcers.
Median salary: $141,650
Number of jobs in US: 10,600
Job outlook: 1% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Doctorate Degree
57. Prosthetist
When someone needs a prosthetic limb, a prosthetist is the person who helps them find what they need. Prosthetic limbs need to fit perfectly to each person and limb to keep the whole body in alignment and avoid friction that can cause injury.
Median salary: $78,100
Number of jobs in US: 9,500
Job outlook: 15% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Master's Degree
58. OSHA Technician
An OSHA employee surveys workplaces to make sure that they meet standards for safety. They look for things like wearing helmets on construction sites and making sure that chemical spill kits are accessible in hospitals. They can issue citations for hospitals that do not meet safety standards.
Median salary: $77,580
Number of jobs in US: 138,400
Job outlook: 13% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor's Degree
59. Recreational Therapist
Recreational therapists often work in long-term care centers to plan and facilitate fun activities for the residents. They plan things like music therapy days, outings, and game nights. They get to be creative and bring joy to people who are chronically sick or might get lonely in a care center. Recreational therapists work closely with occupational therapists to plan appropriate activities for the people in their care.
Median salary: $57,120
Number of jobs in US: 16,800
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2022-2032
Education required: Bachelor's Degree
Deciding Which Healthcare Career is Best for You
When you are trying to choose which healthcare job is best for you, consider your lifestyle and long-term goals. For example, surgeons make the most money, but spend long hours at the hospital and spend years in school. Phlebotomists make less money, but training is quick and the work is not too stressful.
There are many healthcare jobs that don't require a college degree. Starting in one of these like medical assisting or certified nursing assisting gives you great work experience while earning some money, and are good starting points for more advanced healthcare careers. You can see other entry-level healthcare jobs here.
If you are certain about your desire to become an advanced provider like a family practice doctor or anesthesiologist, you may want to enroll in school before getting an entry-level job, since school will take so long.
You should also consider what type of workplace environment you enjoy, as they can vary quite a bit for medical jobs. A paramedic works in a fast-paced environment with high-stakes situations all throughout their shift, while a child-life specialist spends their day soothing children and playing games. Nurses and respiratory therapists are frequently dealing with different body fluids, and medical transcriptionists spend most of their time at a computer.
Whatever career you choose, try to find something that you enjoy. The amount of money you make or the prestige that a high-power career might give you won’t mean much if you do not love your career. If you work full-time, you will spend nearly half of your waking hours at your job, so make sure you choose something that will bring you joy.
If you're interested in starting a career in healthcare, check us out here at Stepful. We offer affordable, online healthcare certification programs that prepare you for certification exams and help you find a job.
