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.

Jobs in the medical field can range from part-time to full-time and have varying educational requirements and necessary skills.

Not only is working in healthcare fulfilling, but most healthcare roles 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 2025 and beyond.

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List of Jobs in Healthcare

There are medical field jobs available for everyone from entry-level workers to people with advanced training and degrees. 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, you’ll find something for you on this list of the best jobs in healthcare.

1. Medical Assistant 

A medical assistant is someone who works alongside a physician to provide care to patients. They usually work in a clinic or a doctor's office and do things like measuring vital signs and drawing blood. Medical assistants can also work in specialty clinics like dermatology, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.

• Median salary: $44,200
• Number of jobs in the US: 783,900
• Job outlook: 15% growth from 2023-2033‍
• 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: $43,460
• Number of jobs in US: 487,920
• Job outlook: 7% growth from 2023-2033‍
• Education required: High school diploma or GED and 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: $40,640
• Number of jobs in US: 749,500
• Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033‍
• Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred

4. Patient Care Technician

Patient care technicians is someone with a wide variety of responsibilities. They help with measuring vital signs, assisting patients with activities of daily living, phlebotomy, procedures, and much more.

Patient care technicians usually work in hospitals, but they can also be found in care centers, clinics, surgical centers, and outpatient facilities. Patient care technicians can work in pediatrics, geriatric care, rehabilitation, psychiatry, and many other types of specialties.

• Median salary: $39,430
• Number of jobs in the US: 1,469,400
• Job outlook: 4% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred

5. Dental Assistant

A dental assistant works alongside the dentist while they perform different procedures. Dental assistants will suction away saliva 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: $47,300 
• Number of jobs in US: 375,430
• Job outlook: 8% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: high school diploma or GED and dental assistant certification

6. Medical Receptionist

Medical receptionists can work in almost any kind of healthcare facility. They help schedule patients for appointments, assist care coordination between different specialties, and manage billing, payments, and insurance claims.

Medical receptionists need to have a great understanding of medical ethics, medical terminology, patient privacy laws, and insurance billing and coding.

Medical receptionists are also known as medical office assistants or medical administrative assistants. Many medical receptionists choose to pursue a certification to improve their skills and make them a more desirable job candidate.

• Median salary: $40,640
• Number of jobs in the US: 749,500
• Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma required, certification preferred

7. Medical Office Assistant

Medical office assistant is another name for medical receptionists or medical administrative assistants. They typically work in medical offices and clinics and their responsibilities include scheduling appointments, sending reminders, helping patients with billing and payments, keeping the office clean and organized, ordering supplies, and answering phone calls

• Median salary: $40,640
• Number of jobs in the US: 749,500
• Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma required, certification preferred

8. Surgical Tech

A surgical tech helps the surgeon during surgery 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: $62,830 (see surgical tech salaries by state here)
• Number of jobs in US: 113,890
• Job outlook: 6% growth from 2023-2033‍
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification

9. Certified Nursing Assistant

Nursing assistants usually work in hospitals and long-term care centers helping nurses to care for sick or injured patients. Certified nursing assistants spend a lot of their time helping patients with the activities of daily living. This includes personal hygiene tasks, moving from a bed to a chair, and emptying their bowel and bladder.

• Median salary: $39,530
• Number of jobs in US: 1,388,430
• Job outlook: 4% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
  

10. Phlebotomist

A phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples from a patient and getting them safely sent to a lab. Blood samples can be tested for electrolyte imbalances, blood infections, hormonal problems, and cancers. It is important that phlebotomists know how to use needles safely, including being sterile and disposing of them properly.

• Median salary: $43,660
• Number of jobs in US: 138,880
• Job outlook: 8% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
  

11. 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. Lab techs then need to quickly and accurately identify problems with samples, and must be able to spot subtle changes in samples as they react with the test solutions.

• Median salary: $61,890
• Number of jobs in US: 343,040
• Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor's degree
  

12. 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 electrocardiogram (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 because you'll get hands-on patient experience in high-pressure situations.

• Median salary: $41,340
• Number of jobs in US: 177,980
• Job outlook: 6% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
  

13. 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: $58,410
• Number of jobs in US: 99,530
• Job outlook: 6% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
  

14. Emergency Dispatch

An emergency dispatch worker, also called a public safety telecommunicator, 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: $50,730
• Number of jobs in US: 101,140
• Job outlook: 4% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
  

15. 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: $93,600
• Number of jobs in US: 3,282,010
• Job outlook: 6% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing
  

16. 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 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
  

17. 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: $172,790 
• Number of jobs in US: 113,490
• Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate’s degree
  

18. Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist 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: $94,260
• Number of jobs in US: 219,070
• Job outlook: 9% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Associate’s degree‍
  

19. 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: $125,510
• Number of jobs in US: 80,630
• Job outlook: 19% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree
  

20. 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 responsibilities of keeping the veterinary clinic clean, helping keep everything orderly in the waiting room, handling billing problems, and scheduling appointments.

• Median salary: $45,980
• Number of jobs in US: 131,320
• Job outlook: 19% growth
• Education required: Associate's degree
  

21. Radiography Technician

Radiography technicians perform X-rays on patients to get images of different parts of the body. They might work in an urgent care center where they primarily scan for broken bones, or in a hospital where they will mostly scan for lung problems and to check the 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: $77,660
• Number of jobs in US: 223,460
• Job outlook: 6% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Associate's degree
  

22. 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: $80,450
• Number of jobs in US: 136,420
• Job outlook: 13% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Associate's degree
  

23. Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers can work for professional sports teams, college athletic programs, high schools, or local fitness centers. They are specially trained to empower athletes to reach their peak performance while helping them avoid injury. 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: $60,250
• Number of jobs in US: 28,950
• Job outlook: 13% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

24. 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 the critical duties of keeping their patients safe and making sure the entire operating room staff is performing well. 

• ‍Median salary: $239,200 
• Number of jobs in US: 51,400
• Job outlook: 4% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree
  

25. 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 records to audit for billing, look for errors, and ensure that everything has been charted accurately.

• Median salary: $50,250
• Number of jobs in US: 187,910
• Job outlook: 9% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certificate
  

26. Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help people regain their strength after an injury or a hospital stay. Those who work in hospitals might help people re-learn to walk, while physical therapists in an athletic center can help athletes return to their sport after an injury. Physical therapists also create exercise plans for their patients and help them with strengthening, stretching, and massaging their injured area. 

• Median salary: $101,020 
• Number of jobs in US: 248,630
• Job outlook: 14% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree
  

27. Physical Therapy Assistant

A physical therapist cannot do all of their work alone, so they need physical therapy assistants to help patients around their clinic. Assistants can help patients with exercises, schedule appointments, clean and prepare equipment, and assist with procedures.

• Median salary: $65,510
• Number of jobs in US: 108,010
• Job outlook: 19% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Associate's degree
  

28. 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: $98,340 
• Number of jobs in US: 152,280
• Job outlook: 11% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

29. Speech Therapist

Speech therapists don’t just help people talk. They help patients learn to use the muscles in their mouths. 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 the babies get nutrition and hydration safely.

• Median salary: $95,410 
• Number of jobs in US: 178,790
• Job outlook: 18% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

30. 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 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

31. Family Physician

A family physician usually works in a doctor's 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: $238,380 
• Number of jobs in US: 107,950
• Job outlook: 4% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree, medical school, and training
  

32. Housekeeping

Housekeeping staff are an under-recognized but essential 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: $35,930 
• Number of jobs in US: 2,199,900
• Job outlook: 3% from 2023-2033
• Education required: On-the-job training
  

33. 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: $67,260 
• Number of jobs in US: 61,180
• Job outlook: from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

34. 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: $92,120
• Number of jobs in US: 14,730
• Job outlook: 11% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree, medical school, and training
  

35. 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: $133,260 
• Number of jobs in US: 155,540
• Job outlook: 28% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

36. 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: $129,210 
• Number of jobs in US: 307,390
• Job outlook: 40% from 2023-2033 (fastest growing healthcare job)
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

37. 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 healthy pregnancies, but must refer high-risk pregnancies to an OBGYN-MD.

• Median salary: $128,790 
• Number of jobs in US: 8,280
• Job outlook: 40% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

38. 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 gets too low. 

• Median salary: $339,470
• Number of jobs in US: 41,890
• Job outlook: 8% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree
  

39. 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: $63,000 
• Number of jobs in US: 65,150
• Job outlook: 7% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree
  

40. Public Health Official

Public health officials, also called community health workers, 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: $51,030 
• Number of jobs in US: 63,400
• Job outlook: 13% from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED
  

41. 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: $58,160
• Number of jobs in US: 21,500
• Job outlook: 10% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree
  

42. 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 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
  

43. Dietitian

Dietitians 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: $73,850 
• Number of jobs in US: 76,570
• Job outlook: 7% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree
  

44. 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 work from home performing virtual appointments via video conference or phone calls.

• Median salary: $68,090
• Number of jobs in US: 185,940
• Job outlook: 7% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

45. 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 patients and make sure they can maintain their health over the long term.

• Median salary: $78,240 
• Number of jobs in US: 199,500
• Job outlook: 8% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree
  

46. 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: $206,420
• Number of jobs in US: 211,850
• Job outlook: 2% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

47. 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: $100,590
• Number of jobs in US: 146,600
• Job outlook: 11% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree

48. 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: $105,620
• Number of jobs in US: 229,720
• Job outlook: 8% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree
  

49. Pharmacist

A pharmacist is an expert in all kinds of medicines. Hospital pharmacists must understand different medications than those who work in a clinic. Because there are so many different medications, pharmacists will often specialize in a specific area. 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.

• Median salary: $137,480
• Number of jobs in US: 328,870
• Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree (see pharmacy school requirements and prerequisites here)
  

50. 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, but they cannot interpret results and must send scanned images to a physician for further evaluation.

• Median salary: $89,340
• Number of jobs in US: 86,460 
• Job outlook: 2% from 2023-2033
• Education required: Associate's degree
  

51. Psychologist

A psychologist is someone who studies the human mind. They often study mental health disorders, personality disorders, and cognitive deficits. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication and primarily focus on research.

• Median salary: $94,310 
• Number of jobs in US: 154,860
• Job outlook: 7% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree 
  

52. Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist treats patients with mental health conditions. They can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for all types of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists often work in clinics, behavioral health centers, and hospitals.

• Median salary: $269,120 
• Number of jobs in US: 24,800
• Job outlook: 4% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree, medical school, and training
  

53. 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: $57,950
• Number of jobs in US: 96,040
• Job outlook: 18% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
  

54. 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: $46,560 
• Number of jobs in US: 79,690
• Job outlook: 3% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED required
  

55. 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 sleep problems. Chiropractors often use alternative medicines like acupuncture and massage to treat their patients.

• Median salary: $79,000
• Number of jobs in US: 37,630
• Job outlook: 10% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree
  

56. 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: $134,830 
• Number of jobs in US: 41,890
• Job outlook: 9% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree
  

57. 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: $98,910 
• Number of jobs in US: 3,510
• Job outlook: 16% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree 
  

58. 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 healthcare roles expected to decline in coming years.

• Median salary: $37,550
• Number of jobs in US: 43,070
• Job outlook: 5% decline from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
  

59. 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.

• Median salary: $152,800 
• Number of jobs in US: 9,520
• Job outlook: 1% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Doctorate's degree plus training
  

60. 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 to keep the whole body in alignment and avoid friction that can cause injury.

• Median salary: $78,310 
• Number of jobs in US: 9,930
• Job outlook: 15% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Master’s degree
  

61. OSHA Technician

An OSHA technician surveys workplaces to make sure that they meet safety standards. They look for things like wearing helmets on construction sites and making sure that chemical spill kits are accessible in hospitals. OSHA technicians can also issue citations for hospitals that do not meet safety standards.

• Median salary: $78,900 
• Number of jobs in US: 153,500
• Job outlook: 14% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree
  

62. 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: $60,280 
• Number of jobs in US: 15,060
• Job outlook: 4% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: Bachelor’s degree
  

63. Recreational Therapy Aide

Recreational therapy aides work with residents and patients, helping them participate in activities such as creating music, crafting, art projects, and group games. Aides work with licensed recreational therapists to ensure that all activities are well-structured and appropriate for the patients.

• Median salary: $44,200
• Number of jobs in the US: 783,900
• Job outlook: 15% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED
  

64. Anesthesia Monitoring Technician

Anesthesia monitoring technicians work in acute care areas such as surgical suites, intensive care units, and emergency departments. They often work with anesthesiologists and help secure central access, monitor airways, and measure vital signs.

Anesthesia monitoring technicians are well-trained in maintaining sterile technique and how an operating room functions. They can also draw labs for arterial blood gases, electrolytes, and markers of inflammation.

• Median salary: $62,480
• Number of jobs in the US: 134,000
• Job outlook: 6% growth from 2023-2033
• Education required: High school diploma or GED plus certification
  

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 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 your schooling and training will take many years to complete.

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 appreciate 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.