The Highest-Paying Jobs for Pre-Med Students

Pre-med students can earn income and gain hands-on experience in healthcare jobs that will strengthen their medical school applications and make them better medical professionals. The healthcare field continues to expand faster than almost any other sector, with about 1.9 million new jobs that are expected over the next decade.¹ That means that there are more opportunities than ever to earn income, strengthen your med-school application, and gain practical experience before graduation.

In this guide, you’ll discover the highest-paying jobs for pre-med students, from clinical roles like EMT and phlebotomist to remote options in telehealth and research. Whether you’re looking to build your resume, sharpen your patient-care skills, or simply keep tuition bills at bay, these roles can help you move one step closer to your white coat.

Key Takeaways

• Pre-med students can earn an income and get great medical experience through entry-level jobs like a medical assistant, EMT, and phlebotomist.
• Jobs that involve direct patient interaction stand out on medical school applications due to their relevancy with medical school.
• Flexible opportunities like virtual telehealth support or remote transcription roles allow students to keep working and gain experience around their demanding study schedules.
• Paid and volunteer positions both help students to build clinical hours and demonstrate service orientation, which are both key traits medical schools look for.
• Many of these roles require short certification programs, making them accessible while still in college.
• The growing demand for healthcare workers ensures strong job prospects for pre-med students entering the field.

What Is a Pre-Med Student?

A pre-med student is on a specialized educational track that is designed to prepare these students for eventual admission to medical school. This means that they are taking classes that prepare them for the MCAT, with subjects like the hard sciences (biology, chemistry, anatomy), math classes like statistics, and other social sciences like psychology. This academic foundation ensures that they have the foundational science knowledge and lab experience that is needed for medical school admission.

It’s important to note that often “pre-med” isn’t a degree itself, but rather it’s an academic pathway that typically includes classes like biology, chemistry, physics, and social sciences. Additionally, most U.S. medical schools now prefer or require applicants to document that they have experience shadowing medical professionals or patient-care experience themself. 

As a pre-med student, landing one of these roles can help you gain the skills for a career in medicine or future endeavors in healthcare. Applying for pre-med jobs or volunteer positions related to the medical field will show employers and admissions officers that you are serious about becoming a doctor.

What Jobs Are Available to Pre-Med Students?

Pre-med students can explore a range of healthcare support jobs that build essential clinical skills and patient-care experience. There are plenty of jobs available in inpatient care, blood banks, pharmacies, physician offices, and assisted living facilities. Students can work as technicians, medical assistants, nurses, paramedics, or administrative assistants in healthcare.

Beyond hospitals and clinics, pre-med students can now find flexible positions in telemedicine support, research coordination, and healthcare data operations. Many hospitals now offer paid externships for undergraduates through university-affiliated programs. Even non-clinical roles such as patient scheduling or electronic health record management count toward healthcare experience if they involve meaningful contact with patients or medical systems.

Companies That Hire Pre-Med Students

Top healthcare and research employers offer part-time and entry-level opportunities for pre-med students seeking professional experience.

• Columbia University – There are research assistant and medical assistant positions in the Columbia Health department and medical center that are available to pre-med students.
• CoverMyMeds – This healthcare and technology company offers medical-related roles with competitive benefits and flexible schedules.
• Labcorp – As of 2025, Labcorp continues to hire students for patient service technician and research associate positions.
• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital – A leading medical institution that offers paid internships and healthcare-support roles with benefits and tuition assistance.
• Quest Diagnostics – Continues to recruit phlebotomists, medical technologists, and related positions nationwide.
• CVS Health MinuteClinic – Provides pharmacy and clinical-support opportunities accessible to students across the U.S.
• UnitedHealth Group/Optum – Offers remote medical scribing and telehealth-support roles ideal for students.
• NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) – Provides federal research experience for undergraduates pursuing biomedical studies.

These examples are for informational purposes only and not endorsements. Always make sure that you verify each organization’s eligibility criteria and hiring policies before applying.

10 Highest-Paying Jobs for Pre-Med Students

Pre-med students can find rewarding jobs in the medical industry. They get the opportunity to enhance their skill set and gain field experience for clinical employment. Below we have listed jobs that will lead you to make a successful medical career.

Clinical Research Assistant

Medical research assistants help scientists conduct studies that advance healthcare knowledge and improve patient outcomes. They work under principal researchers to support data gathering and processing, requiring computer and analytical skills.

Undergraduate medical research roles, such as clinical research coordinators, are increasingly in demand. These positions allow students to contribute to published studies and gain experience with Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes.

Research assistants earn an average of $47,241 annually, with growth driven by demand in biomedical and public health projects.² This role offers exposure to top medical researchers and an early look into the investigative side of medicine.

Medical Administrative Assistants

Medical administrative assistants manage the daily operations of healthcare offices and support physicians with patient coordination. Their tasks include scheduling, compiling reports, and maintaining accurate patient records.

Working in administration helps pre-med students develop organization, empathy, and professional communication skills valued by medical schools. It also builds familiarity with healthcare billing and compliance systems.

According to national salary data, medical secretaries and administrative assistants earn a median annual salary of $50,000³ as of 2025.³ This role provides a gateway to leadership and advanced administrative positions within healthcare.

Emergency Medical Technicians

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) respond to urgent medical situations and provide life-saving prehospital care. They stabilize patients and transport them to medical facilities, often working alongside police and firefighters.

EMTs must complete accredited training and pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam to practice in the U.S. Pre-med students often choose this path because it provides hands-on clinical experience and demonstrates the ability to perform under pressure.

The median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics was $35,200 as of 2025.⁴ This experience also gives students strong teamwork and communication skills that align with medical-school competencies.

Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists collect and prepare blood samples for testing, transfusions, or donations in clinical settings. Accuracy and patient comfort are essential in this role.

Phlebotomy experience provides early exposure to infection control, patient interaction, and lab standards. Most phlebotomists complete an accredited phlebotomy training course and state certification.^

According to BLS, the median annual wage for phlebotomists was $41,810 as of May, 2025.⁵ This role is an excellent starting point for pre-med students seeking direct patient-care experience and a deeper understanding of laboratory work.

Medical Assistants

Medical assistants support physicians by performing both administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare offices. They prepare patients for exams, update medical records, and assist during minor procedures.

Because medical assistants work closely with both patients and doctors, this job builds valuable clinical experience and understanding of medical ethics. It’s one of the most common pre-med employment routes.

The median annual wage for medical assistants was $44,200 as of May 2025.⁶ Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow 12 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations.⁶

Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with dispensing medications and managing prescriptions in hospitals and retail pharmacies. They coordinate with healthcare providers, verify insurance claims, and operate automated dispensing systems.

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The role gives pre-med students a practical foundation in pharmacology and patient safety, which are topics directly relevant to medical education.

The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians is $40,300, and most states require certification.⁷ With the rise of e-prescribing, digitally skilled technicians are increasingly valuable in modern pharmacy operations.

Medical Transcriptionists

Medical transcriptionists convert physicians’ audio recordings into written medical reports for patient records. Many of these positions now operate remotely, providing flexibility for students balancing coursework.

This role introduces pre-med students to medical documentation and terminology, as well as evolving AI transcription tools used across healthcare systems.

The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists is currently $37,550.⁸ Students with strong attention to detail and medical vocabulary will find this role helpful preparation for understanding clinical records.

Psychiatric Aides

Psychiatric aides support patients with mental health conditions and assist healthcare staff in treatment and daily activities. They may help patients in rehabilitation, support addiction recovery programs, or monitor behavior in clinical settings.

Working as a psychiatric aide exposes students to behavioral health care—ideal for those interested in psychiatry or neurology. It fosters empathy, communication, and observation skills that medical schools value.

The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $39,160 as of 2025.⁹ Entry requirements are minimal, making this a great opportunity for undergraduates to gain early patient experience.

Nursing Assistants

Nursing assistants help patients with essential daily activities and basic healthcare support in hospitals or long-term care facilities. They are the primary caregivers in many residential centers, often working directly with the elderly.

Pre-med students who work as CNAs gain firsthand experience with patient care and develop the compassion and stamina required for medical careers. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or advancement programs for CNA roles.

The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $39,430 in 2025.¹⁰ This makes CNA roles an accessible and stable option for pre-med students.

Personal Care Aides

Personal care aides assist clients with daily living tasks and provide essential nonmedical support in homes or community settings.

This role helps students cultivate patience, empathy, and interpersonal skills while supporting individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.

The median annual wage for personal care aides was $33,530 as of 2025.¹¹ The field’s rapid expansion ensures steady employment opportunities for pre-med students seeking flexible work experience.

Pre-Med Job Experience and Medical School Admissions

Experience gained from pre-med jobs is often evaluated using the AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students. Admissions committees value:

• Direct patient interaction and clinical exposure (e.g., EMT, CNA, phlebotomist)
• Research experience and data analysis skills (e.g., medical research assistant)
• Leadership and reliability through consistent employment
• Communication, service orientation, and cultural competence

Students who reflect on these experiences in personal statements or interviews demonstrate maturity and purpose. Even short-term roles can have significant impact when students show growth, empathy, and professionalism.

Tips for Finding Success as a Pre-Med Student

Pre-med students pursuing jobs can gain critical skills and opportunities for career growth through the jobs listed above. They can better assist doctors and make their way to becoming successful healthcare professionals.

• Find medical-related work. A medical-related job will look good on your resume and make you a stronger candidate for future employers.
• Focus on MCAT preparation. Some jobs help you prepare for the MCAT exam by enhancing skills learned in coursework.
• Don’t shy away from practical experience. Look for jobs that give you hands-on exposure and clinical skills to succeed in medical school.
• Get relevant training. Some pre-med jobs require certification or specific training—invest time in qualifications that will stay relevant.
• Reflect on your motivations. When academics or work get challenging, remember why you chose medicine to maintain focus.
• Build networks through hospital volunteer programs or student medical associations; mentors can offer guidance and references.
• Use organizational tools like Notion, Anki, or scheduling apps to balance classes and shifts efficiently.
• Apply to research internships such as the NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) or Amgen Scholars for funded summer lab experience.

Balancing Work and Academics as a Pre-Med Student

Working while studying pre-med requires careful balance. Experts recommend limiting work to fewer than 20 hours per week to maintain academic performance. Students should structure schedules, prioritize rest, and communicate with supervisors around exam periods. Developing these time-management skills now builds habits that will benefit them throughout medical school and residency.

Emerging 2025 Healthcare Roles for Pre-Meds

As healthcare evolves, new entry-level roles are emerging that fit pre-med students’ skill sets. Examples include:

• Telehealth Scribes – Remote documentation specialists assisting physicians during virtual appointments.
• Digital Health Coordinators – Support patient data from wearable devices and online portals.
• AI Clinical Data Annotators – Label medical data for research and model training in healthcare AI systems.

These roles combine technical and clinical experience, appealing to students interested in both medicine and digital health.

Jobs for Pre-Med Students Outlook

The job outlook for pre-med students remains strong, driven by national healthcare workforce growth and rising demand for clinical support roles. Healthcare occupations are projected to grow much faster than average, adding millions of jobs nationwide.¹

Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow 12 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than the national average.⁶ This trend reflects broader healthcare labor shortages and expanding opportunities for pre-med students to gain clinical hours and professional experience before applying to medical school.

Volunteer vs. Paid Experience: What Matters More?

While paid positions offer financial stability, medical school admissions committees focus more on meaningful engagement and reflection than pay level. Volunteering in clinics, shelters, or hospitals demonstrates empathy and service orientation. Combining both paid and volunteering in clinics showcases initiative and a balanced understanding of patient care.

Best Jobs for Pre-Med Students FAQ

Can you make a lot as a pre-med student?
Yes. Many pre-med jobs, such as medical research assistant or EMT, offer competitive pay and valuable experience.

What should I do in a pre-med gap year?
Use gap years to recover from coursework, earn income, and build credentials through internships or certifications.

What kind of jobs look good for med school?
Experience as a medical assistant, emergency department worker, or research assistant demonstrates readiness for medical training.

Do med schools care if you take a gap year?
Yes, but they view this as a positive attribute to your candidacy. They look for students who use the time to grow professionally or academically.

Can I work remotely as a pre-med student?
Yes. Many students now work as telehealth scribes or transcription editors, gaining flexibility while building healthcare exposure.

Do I need a license or certification for entry-level healthcare jobs?
Requirements vary by state. Roles like EMT, phlebotomist, and CNA require certification, while others such as research assistant may not.

Sources

1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/
2. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Clinical-Research-Assistant-Salary#Yearly
3. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/medical-administrative-assistant-salary-SRCH_KO0,32.htm
4. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes292040.htm
5. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes319097.htm
6. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
7. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes292052.htm
8. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-transcriptionists.htm
9. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes311133.htm
10. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm
11. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes311120.htm