The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of 23% in health care over the next decade, with an estimated 974,000 new jobs created between 2014 and 2024. This growth is partially due to more people with insurance access and the aging of the large baby boomer population.
Best Medical Degrees, an online publication that provides information to prospective students considering a career in medicine, has compiled a list of the 50 top-paying health care careers in the United States. It researched support and ancillary health care careers to identify the best-paying positions, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics and rankings provided by the U.S. News and World Report and Forbes magazine.
The Top 50 Health Care Careers in the U.S.
1. Pharmacists
Pharmacists may find employment in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or drugstores. The median salary is $120,950 annually.
2. Podiatrists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14% 10-year job growth and a median salary of $120,700.
3. Advanced Practice Nurses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates nurses with advanced master’s degrees in nurse anesthesia, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioner positions to grow 31% over the next decade, with an average annual salary of $102,670.
4. Optometrists
The average salary for a licensed, certified optometrist is $101,410, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field can expect a 27% job growth over the next 10 years.
5. Psychologists
Graduates working as human resources managers can earn up to $100,000, while graduates working as counselors in schools, social work, nonprofits, etc., may see salary ranges from $39,000 to $56,000.
6. Nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice
The salary is an average of $96,940 with a 34% job growth projected over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
7. Gerontology Nurses
MSN and nurse practitioners with gerontology specialties enjoyed a median salary of $96,460 in 2012, and the job outlook is growing at a 31% average rate over the next few years.
8. Physician Assistants
Working physician assistants holding a bachelor’s degree may want to obtain a Master of Health Science or Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies to allow for better career flexibility. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates PA salaries to be $95,820 on average.
9. Medical Perfusionists
Medical perfusionists assist surgical teams during cardiac and pulmonary surgeries. According to Forbes magazine, qualified perfusionists can earn $93,500 annually.
10. Health Information Managers
The U.S. News and World Report estimates the median salary range for clinical data analysts from $55,000 to about $95,000 for clinical informatics managers.
11. Health Care Administrators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the median salary to be $92,810, with an expected job-growth increase of 17% over the next decade.
12. Clinical Trial Nurses
The estimated salary for this position is $92,600 annually and has a strong 17% projected job growth from 2014 to 2024.
13. Information Security Analysts
This career requires at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an annual salary of $88,890. The field boasts an 18% 10-year growth expectation.
14. Biomedical Engineers
The salary for biomedical engineers is an estimated $86,950 annually.
15. Biochemists
While the projected job growth over the next 10 years is low at 8%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an average salary of $84,940.
16. Physical Therapists
With an estimated $82,390 annually, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 34% job growth in the profession over the next decade.
17. Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists earn an average of $80,090 annually, and the field has a projected job growth of around 14% over the next 10 years.
18. Medical Scientists
The U.S. News and World Report ranks this profession—earning an average of $79,930—at number 76 in its “Best Jobs” report.
19. Occupational Therapists
This profession has an average salary of $78,810, with a rapid 27% job growth projected over the next decade.
20. Chemists
The average annual salary for a professional with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry is around $74,720 with an average job growth of 3%—somewhat slower than average nationwide.
21. Audiologists
The average salary of audiologists is $73,060, and the profession has a faster-than-average job-growth projection of 29% over the next 10 years.
22. Dental Hygienists
Dental hygienists have an above-average 19% job-growth expectation over the next 10 years and a median salary of $72,520 per year. It is ranked as number two in the U.S. News and World Report’s list of best health care support jobs.
23. Nursing Educators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently estimates a median salary of $72,210 for nursing instructors in colleges and universities and $83,650 for those teaching in general medical centers or surgical hospitals.
24. Speech Language Pathologists
Special language pathologists who have earned a master’s degree have an estimated annual salary of $71,550 and a 21% job-growth outlook for the next 10 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
25. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
This career can expect a 4% job growth over 10 years and an annual salary of an estimated $69,210.
26. Genetic Counselors
With an above-average job-growth potential of 29%, these professionals earn an average of $67,500 annually. The occupation was ranked 21st in the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Jobs” report.
27. Chiropractors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates these professionals may earn $66,720 a year, and the career has a 17% job-growth estimate.
28. Registered Nurses
While the career is moving toward more nurses with a Bachelor of Nursing degree, associate degree nurses are also in demand and can expect an average salary of $66,640, plus an estimated 16% job growth over the next 10 years.
29. Health Care Compliance Officers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of $64,950 for compliance officers, and the career is ranked 94th in the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Jobs” report.
30. Orthotists and Prosthetists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an annual salary of $64,040 and a 23% decadelong job growth.
31. Health Care Web Developers
While it’s not an actual health care career, the role of a health care web developer is growing in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers can earn a median salary of $63,490 annually.
32. Cardiovascular Technicians
Cardiovascular technicians can earn a median salary of $62,540 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this profession has been ranked 13th by the U.S. News and World Report in its review of best health care support careers.
33. Medical Sonographers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics identified a 10-year 24% employment rate for sonographers and a mean salary of $62,540 annually.
34. Human Resource Specialists
Responsible for screening, interviewing, and recommending personnel for employment, these professionals have a median salary of $57,420, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
35. Dietitians and Nutritionists
Requiring a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 16% job growth and a $56,950 annual salary for this profession. Many states require licensure for this career.
36. Respiratory Therapists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites this profession as having a median income of $56,730 and a 12% job-growth outlook over the next 10 years.
37. MRI Technologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates a median salary of $57,370 annually for this position, which has a 9% job-growth prospective over the next 10 years.
38. Public Relations Specialists
As hospitals and health systems grow, public relations specialists are increasingly important in establishing a positive patient and community image. This profession can average an annual salary of $55,680, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
39. Occupational Therapy Assistants
Requiring at least an associate’s degree, these specialized assistants can earn an estimated $52,300 a year, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 40% job-growth rate over the next decade.
40. Computer Support Specialists
As hospitals and health systems increasingly rely on computers for patient record keeping, government reporting, and other details, computer support specialists provide on-site software support for clinicians and employees. Specialists can earn an average of $50,380 a year.
41. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the 10-year job growth in this field at 16% with a median salary of $49,310 per year.
42. Medical Equipment Repairers
Responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment, medical equipment repairers require an associate’s degree in biomedical technology or engineering. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates $45,660 as an annual salary.
43. Clinical Social Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests this career has a 12% job growth over the next 10 years and a median salary of $45,500 per year.
44. Surgical Technologists
The U.S. News and World Report ranks this career 24th in its “Best Jobs” report, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% job-growth expectation and a median salary of $43,450 per year.
45. Licensed Practical Nurses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this nursing field as having a 10-year 16% job-growth rate and a median salary of $42,490 annually.
46. Marriage and Family Therapists
The estimated annual salary for this profession, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $42,250. This career requires a master’s degree and licensure.
47. Physical Therapy Assistants
Estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to earn $41,640 annually, this profession will see a very rapid 40% 10-year job growth.
48. Addiction and Rehabilitation Counselors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an average salary of $39,270 yearly and a 22% job growth between 2014 and 2024.
49. Dental Assistants
Dental assistants can earn an average of $37,390, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the field expects an 18% future job growth.
50. Paramedics
With a rapid projected job growth of 24%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated annual salary for paramedics is $31,700
