15 Fastest-Growing Healthcare Jobs

Healthcare is one of the few industries where the job market is almost sure to keep expanding. An aging population that needs more care, a healthcare workforce that hasn't kept pace with rising demand, and a continued push to make healthcare more accessible are all driving growth.

If you're exploring a career in healthcare, knowing which roles are growing the fastest gives you a real advantage. With so many fields being reshaped by AI, you want to know that the time and money you invest in training will lead to a career with growth potential, not one that is disappearing.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that every occupation on this list will grow by at least 12% in the next decade. That's far above the 3% growth rate expected across all jobs in the U.S.

That kind of momentum translates to more job openings, more career flexibility, and more room for advancement over time.

This guide covers the 15 fastest-growing healthcare jobs in the U.S., including what people in each role do, the job outlook, average salaries, and education requirements.

Fastest-Growing Healthcare Jobs in the US

The roles below are ranked by their projected employment growth from highest to lowest. All salary and employment data come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

1) Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

This category includes three distinct Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) specialties. 

Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia care before, during, and after surgical procedures. 

Nurse-midwives focus on reproductive and maternal health, including prenatal visits, labor support, delivery, and postpartum care. 

Nurse practitioners take on many of the same responsibilities as primary care physicians, including evaluating patients, diagnosing conditions, and prescribing treatments.

Together, these roles represent one of the most dynamic areas of the entire healthcare workforce, combining strong clinical responsibility with high earning potential and significant job security.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 382,700 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $132,050, or $63.48 per hour.
• Education required. APRNs need at least a master's degree in an advanced practice nursing field.

2) Physician Assistants

Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed clinicians who deliver care across a wide range of medical specialties. They conduct patient exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe medications. 

Many PAs specialize in fields like orthopedics, dermatology, or emergency medicine.

The role continues to grow as health systems look for ways to meet patient demand without expanding physician headcount.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 20% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 162,700 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $133,260, or $64.07 per hour.
• Education required. PAs need a master's degree from a PA program.

3) Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

Occupational therapy assistants and aides work alongside occupational therapists to help patients rebuild the practical skills needed for daily life after illness, injury, or disability. Assistants work directly with patients. 

They guide exercises, lead therapeutic activities, and track progress under an occupational therapist's supervision. Aides take on the support side of the practice, managing equipment, preparing treatment spaces, and handling scheduling.

You'll find these professionals in rehab hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, schools, and home health settings.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 18% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 54,400 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $66,050, or $31.76 per hour.
• Education required. OT assistants need an associate's degree; OT aides need a high school diploma or GED.

4) Home Health and Personal Care Aides

Home health and personal care aides provide in-home support for elderly, disabled, or chronically ill people who need assistance managing daily life. 

Home health aides handle light medical tasks such as monitoring vital signs, assisting with prescribed exercises, and reporting changes in condition under the direction of a nurse or therapist. 

Personal care aides focus on non-medical support, like help with bathing, dressing, meals, transportation, and companionship.

This is already one of the largest healthcare occupations in the country, and it continues to grow as more Americans choose to age in place rather than move into assisted living.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 4,347,700 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $34,900.
• Education required. Aides need a high school diploma or GED, plus a state-required number of training hours completed through a program or on the job.

5) Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

Physical therapist assistants and aides support physical therapists in helping patients restore mobility and manage pain after injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions. 

Assistants guide exercises, perform hands-on treatments, and monitor patient responses under the direct supervision of a licensed PT. 

Aides handle the logistical side, such as setting up equipment, cleaning treatment areas, and assisting with patient transport between rooms.

They work in outpatient rehab clinics, hospitals, sports medicine practices, nursing homes, and home health settings.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 16% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 157,100 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $60,050, or $28.87 per hour.
• Education required. PT assistants need an associate's degree from an accredited program; PT aides need a high school diploma or GED and on-the-job training.

6) Psychiatric Technicians and Aides

Psychiatric technicians and aides support patients receiving treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. 

Technicians take on more clinical duties, such as facilitating treatment programs, observing and documenting patient behavior, and assisting with medications under a physician's oversight. 

Aides provide broader support, including supervising patients, helping them with daily routines, and maintaining a safe and structured environment.

These professionals work primarily in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment programs, and substance use treatment centers.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 16% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 182,900 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $42,200, or $20.29 per hour.
• Education required. Technicians need a postsecondary certificate; aides need a high school diploma or GED. Both receive on-the-job training.

7) Speech-Language Pathologists

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess and treat disorders that affect communication and swallowing. Their patients range from young children with language delays to adults recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or neurological diseases. 

SLPs develop individualized treatment plans and work directly with patients to improve speech clarity, language comprehension, voice quality, and safe swallowing function.

They work in schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehab centers, and private practices.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 187,400 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $95,410, or $45.87 per hour.
• Education required. SLPs typically need a master's degree in speech-language pathology.

8) Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

Health information technologists and medical registrars are responsible for organizing, maintaining, and protecting patient health data. 

They work extensively with electronic health record (EHR) systems, assign diagnostic and procedural codes for billing purposes, and ensure that health data is accurate, accessible, and compliant with regulations. 

It's a field where healthcare knowledge meets data management, and remote work is increasingly common.

Most work for hospitals, physician practices, insurance companies, and health data organizations.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 41,900 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $67,310, or $32.36 per hour.
• Education required. Requirements vary; some positions require an associate's degree, others a bachelor's degree.

9) Massage Therapists

Massage therapists work with patients and clients to reduce pain, ease muscle tension, improve circulation, and support overall physical well-being. They use a variety of techniques tailored to each person's needs.

They work in spas, sports medicine clinics, chiropractic offices, and hospitals. Many also run independent practices with their own client base.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 168,000 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $57,950, or $27.86 per hour.
• Education required. Licensing requirements vary by state, but most therapists need to complete a state-approved postsecondary training program.

10) Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people regain functional independence after an illness, injury, or disability affects their ability to carry out everyday tasks. 

They evaluate each patient's physical and cognitive abilities, set functional goals, and design treatment plans that might include therapeutic exercises, adaptive tools, and changes to a patient's home or work environment.

OTs practice in hospitals, outpatient rehab centers, schools, mental health facilities, and home health agencies.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 14% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 160,000 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $98,340, or $47.28 per hour.
• Education required. OTs typically need a master's degree in occupational therapy.

11) Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce pictures of the body's internal organs, tissues, and blood flow that physicians use to diagnose and monitor medical conditions. 

Specializations include abdominal imaging, cardiovascular sonography, and obstetric and gynecological ultrasound. 

The work requires technical precision, anatomical knowledge, and strong attention to detail.

Most sonographers work in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and physicians' offices.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 90,000 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $89,340, or $42.95 per hour.
• Education required. An associate's degree or postsecondary certificate in sonography is typically required.

12) Orthotists and Prosthetists

Orthotists design and fit custom bracing and support devices, such as spinal braces, knee orthotics, and foot inserts, for patients with injuries, neurological conditions, or musculoskeletal disorders. 

Prosthetists design and fit artificial limbs for patients who have had amputations due to injury, disease, or congenital conditions. 

Both roles require a detailed clinical assessment, precise measurements, and hands-on fitting work to ensure each device functions as intended and improves the patient's quality of life.

They typically work in hospitals, dedicated orthotics and prosthetics clinics, and rehab facilities.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 10,100 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $78,310, or $37.65 per hour.
• Education required. Both roles require a master's degree and a supervised clinical residency.

13) Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists specialize in the assessment and treatment of patients with breathing difficulties and lung diseases, like asthma, COPD, pneumonia, sleep apnea, and respiratory failure. 

They run diagnostic tests to measure lung function, administer inhaled medications and oxygen therapy, and manage patients on mechanical ventilators. In critical care settings, respiratory therapists are an essential part of the ICU team.

Most work in hospital settings, particularly in intensive care and emergency departments, as well as in sleep centers and long-term care facilities.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 139,600 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $80,450, or $38.68 per hour.
• Education required. Most positions require an associate's degree in respiratory therapy; some employers prefer a bachelor's degree.

14) Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are cross-trained to handle both clinical and administrative work in healthcare settings. 

On the clinical side, they take and record vital signs, collect specimens, administer injections, and get patients ready for exams and procedures. On the administrative side, they manage patient scheduling, update medical records, and assist with insurance documentation.

Because medical assisting programs are relatively short and accessible, this is one of the most common ways people enter the healthcare field, and job openings are plentiful nationwide.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 811,000 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The average annual salary is $44,108, or $21.21 per hour.
• Education required. A medical assistant certification is the most common path, though some positions accept candidates with a high school diploma or GED and on-the-job training.

15) Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work to protect workers from the physical, chemical, and biological hazards they may encounter on the job. 

Specialists identify and evaluate workplace risks, design safety programs, and ensure organizations comply with OSHA regulations and other safety standards. 

Technicians assist by collecting data, running inspections, and supporting the implementation of safety protocols.

While this role exists in many industries, including manufacturing, construction, and government, healthcare is an increasingly important setting given the range of occupational risks healthcare workers face daily.

• Job outlook. This field is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average.
• Number of jobs in the US. There are currently about 163,700 people employed in this field nationwide.
• Average salary. The median annual salary is $78,900, or $37.93 per hour.
• Education required. Specialists typically need a bachelor's degree; technicians need a high school diploma or GED.

Fastest-Growing Healthcare Jobs Comparison

How to Break Into a Fast-Growing Healthcare Career

Knowing which healthcare jobs are in demand and growing fastest is a good starting point, but it's only the beginning. The next step is figuring out how to actually get into one. Here are some tips for starting your career exploration:

Learn the timeline for training

Home health aides and medical assistants can be ready to work in under a year, while roles like physician assistants and nurse practitioners require a master's degree and several years of clinical experience. 

Think honestly about how much time and money you're prepared to invest before your first day on the job, and let that sort out which roles you seriously explore.

Look for reputable training programs

Once you've identified a role you're interested in, look for healthcare training programs with strong credentials. 

That means programs affiliated with professional organizations, those that prepare students for national certification exams, and those with established employer partnerships. 

For roles such as medical assisting, respiratory therapy, and diagnostic sonography, high-quality programs are widely available, including online options with in-person clinical components.

Understand the licensing and certification requirements in your state

Healthcare is one of the most regulated industries in the US, and requirements vary by state. Some roles, like massage therapy, have licensing requirements that differ significantly from one state to the next. 

Before you enroll in a program, confirm what it qualifies you for in the state where you plan to work.

Get clinical experience as early as possible

Many training programs include a clinical externship or practicum as part of the curriculum. Take it seriously and treat it like a job interview. 

Employers in healthcare consistently prioritize candidates with hands-on experience, and externships are often where job offers originate. 

If your program doesn't include a clinical component, look for volunteer or entry-level support roles to start building that experience on your own.

Think about where the field can take you

Many of the fastest-growing healthcare roles also serve as launchpads for more advanced careers. 

Medical assistants often move into roles like healthcare administration, phlebotomy, or clinical coordination. Home health aides often become LPNs or RNs. Occupational therapy assistants can pursue a master's degree to become full OTs. 

Choosing a role with a clear advancement path means your first job in healthcare can be the first step in a career that lasts decades.