{"id":107812,"date":"2022-04-25T00:04:21","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T07:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=107812"},"modified":"2022-04-25T00:04:23","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T07:04:23","slug":"best-paying-jobs-in-healthcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/best-paying-jobs-in-healthcare\/","title":{"rendered":"Highest-Paying Healthcare Careers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is a wide range of healthcare jobs available in the United States, and this is a career field that offers many growth opportunities. Many medical careers<\/a> require an advanced degree, but some of the best paying jobs in healthcare only require an associate degree. Healthcare careers are an excellent choice if you like to take care of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthcare professionals are in demand due to an aging population<\/a> that requires more care. In this article, we explore some of the best paying jobs in healthcare, share what these occupations are all about, and give you information about job growth and healthcare salaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do Healthcare Jobs Pay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the median annual wage for healthcare professionals<\/a> was $69,870 in 2020. This annual wage amount is higher than the average for all occupations in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthcare Job Outlook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Healthcare occupations are expected to grow faster than the national average at a pace of 16 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to BLS. This means that some 2.6 million new jobs will be added in the coming decade. This positive healthcare career outlook is due to the high demand for healthcare services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthcare Job Satisfaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Healthcare careers are some of the most satisfying careers<\/a> to work in. Job satisfaction comes from a combination of meaningful work, fair annual wages, and job growth opportunities. Working in healthcare gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in a patient\u2019s life through administering medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthcare Salaries: Lucrative Healthcare Careers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Healthcare Careers<\/th>\n Healthcare Salaries<\/th>\n Job Outlook<\/th>\n Minimum Education <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses<\/td>\n $117,670<\/a><\/td>\n 45%<\/a><\/td>\n Master\u2019s Degree in Nursing<\/a><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Physician Assistant<\/td>\n $115,390<\/a><\/td>\n 31%<\/a><\/td>\n Master\u2019s Degree in Nursing<\/a><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Physical Therapist<\/td>\n $91,010<\/a><\/td>\n 21%<\/a><\/td>\n Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Radiation Therapist<\/td>\n $86,850<\/a><\/td>\n 9%<\/a><\/td>\n Associate Degree in Radiation Therapy<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Occupational Therapist<\/td>\n $86,280<\/a><\/td>\n 17%<\/a><\/td>\n Master\u2019s Degree in Occupational Therapy<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Speech-language Pathologist<\/td>\n $80,480<\/a><\/td>\n 29%<\/a><\/td>\n Master\u2019s degree<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Nuclear Medicine Technologist<\/td>\n $79,590<\/a><\/td>\n 8%<\/a><\/td>\n Associate Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Dental Hygienist<\/td>\n $77,090<\/a><\/td>\n 11%<\/a><\/td>\n Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Radiologic Technologist<\/td>\n $63,710<\/a><\/td>\n 9%<\/a><\/td>\n Associate degree<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Respiratory Therapist<\/td>\n $62,810<\/a><\/td>\n 23%<\/a><\/td>\n Associate degree<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best-Paying Jobs in Healthcare: In Detail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$117,670<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) include nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. They provide primary and specialty healthcare to patients, such as taking medical histories, performing examinations, administering medications, and creating treatment plans. APRNs need a master’s degree<\/a> in one of the APRN specialties and to pass a state and national certification exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physician Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$115,390<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physician assistants help surgeons and physicians. They are trained to care for patients, take medical histories, interpret diagnostic tests, take blood for tests, and diagnose and treat patients. Physician assistants are highly educated healthcare providers who may work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, and other medical facilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$91,010<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical therapists help patients with pain due to illness or injuries and improve their ability to move. They treat back and neck injuries, arthritis, sprains, and strains, and they help amputees learn to use new artificial limbs. Physical therapists often work in rehabilitation centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radiation Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$86,850<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radiation therapists<\/a> apply radiation treatments to cancer patients. They follow treatment plans prescribed by oncologists and dosimetrists. Radiation therapists need an associate degree<\/a> and certification to practice. They often work in hospitals or outpatient care centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occupational Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$86,280<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An occupational therapist<\/a> treats injured, disabled, or ill patients. They use everyday activities to help patients develop and improve skills in daily life. These professionals have extensive job training and can work in hospitals, clinics, health centers, and nursing homes. Occupational therapists need a master’s degree or doctoral degree<\/a> to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speech-Language Pathologist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$80,480<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, treat patients with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They treat patients of all ages, from infants to adults, with communication problems due to strokes, autism, language delays, and stuttering. Speech-language pathologists need a master\u2019s degree and additional certifications, depending on the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear Medicine Technologist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$79,590<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs for patients to obtain images and provide treatments for certain diseases. Radioactive drugs help create more contrast in images to better show abnormal areas and diagnose medical conditions like cancer or heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental Hygienist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$77,090<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental hygienists<\/a> work with dentists and dental assistants to provide dental care to patients. Dental hygienists clean teeth and check for cavities and oral diseases, such as gingivitis. They can provide fluoride treatments and take x-rays. Dental hygienists also educate patients on better oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radiologic Technologist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$63,710<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radiologic and MRI technologists perform x-rays, MRIs, and other imaging technologies. They are responsible for using and maintaining imaging machines and taking images of patients according to a doctor\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respiratory Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Average Salary: <\/strong>$62,810<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respiratory therapists help patients with respiratory diseases and breathing disorders, such as asthma or emphysema. They treat patients of all ages, from newborn infants to elderly adults. The minimum requirements to practice as a respiratory therapist are an associate degree and completing a state licensing exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources to Find the Best-Paying Jobs in Healthcare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n