Working in healthcare offers great job security, a decent salary, and an opportunity to perform meaningful work each day. However, some people choose to avoid working in healthcare because it can be seen as a stressful career.
If you have ever considered working in healthcare, but don't want a stressful job, there are many low-stress medical jobs you can consider.
These jobs will allow you to make a positive impact in people’s lives and enjoy great job security without sacrificing your sanity. People who work in these jobs can be some of the happiest employees in the workforce.
This guide goes over many low-stress healthcare jobs you can consider, including education requirements, average salary, and more to help you find the occupation where you’ll be the happiest.
Low-Stress Healthcare Jobs
Low-stress healthcare jobs are jobs where you will not be asked to make life-or-death decisions, deal with emergencies, or have to work at a fast pace all day long.
Some of the following are entry-level healthcare jobs whereas others require advanced schooling. Because of this, salaries vary greatly.
1) Medical Assistant
Medical assistants typically work in doctors' offices or clinics and are responsible for things like scheduling patient appointments, measuring vital signs, and cleaning rooms in between patients.
While medical assistants can have busy shifts, they have a narrow scope of practice, meaning that the skills they perform are relatively simple and low-risk. Medical assistants do not often deal with emergent situations or have to handle unexpected problems.
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, check out our 4-Month Online Medical Assistant Program which includes an in-person externship and job placement support.
- Average salary: $38,270 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 764,400
- Job outlook: 14% growth
- Education required: High school diploma required, medical assistant certification preferred
2) Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians usually work in retail pharmacies or hospitals and are responsible for organizing medications, helping patients fill their prescriptions, or sometimes mixing medications.
Most pharmacy technicians work during regular business hours and there is always a pharmacist nearby to offer guidance and assistance as needed.
If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, check out our 4-Month Online Pharmacy Technician Program which includes an in-person externship and job placement support.
- Average salary: $37,790 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 459,600
- Job outlook: 6% growth
- Education required: Most states require pharmacy technician certification
3) Medical Records Technician
A medical records technician makes sure that patient healthcare documents are updated, accurate, and kept confidential.
Medical records technicians handle sensitive information but have a very low-stress job. They typically spend their days working on the computer and do not have to deal with very many customer complaints or emergencies.
- Average salary: $47,180 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 194,300
- Job outlook: 8% growth
- Education required: High school diploma required, certification preferred
4) Dietitian
A dietitian is responsible for creating nutrition plans for patients in hospitals, care centers, rehabilitation centers, or anyone else trying to improve their health.
Dietitians have a big impact on the health of their patients, but their job is not particularly stressful. Many dietitians have a lot of scheduling flexibility and may even be able to work from home.
- Average salary: $66,450 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 78,600
- Job outlook: 7% growth
- Education required: Bachelor’s Degree or higher and pass a licensing examination
5) Medical Transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists listen to physicians' or other healthcare providers’ recordings and write down what was said. They may also interpret medical abbreviations, clarify terminology, and edit medical documents.
Medical transcriptionists do not have to make stressful decisions and can go back to make corrections to their work as needed.
- Average salary: $34,730 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 49,000
- Job outlook: 4% decline
- Education required: High school diploma and certification required
6) Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist is someone who helps someone regain function after a severe illness or injury. They have an extremely rewarding job where they help people relearn how to do things like dress themselves or walk up the stairs without assistance.
Many occupational therapists use games and other fun activities to interact with their patients and help them make improvements.
- Average salary: $93,180 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 139,600
- Job outlook: 12% growth
- Education required: Masters degree in Occupational Therapy and licensed with the state
7) Speech-Language Pathologist
A speech-language pathologist works with both children and adults who need to improve their speaking and eating skills. Speech-language pathologists may spend their days helping people overcome challenges like stuttering or weak swallowing.
They might work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or even in home health and typically don’t have much day-to-day stress.
- Average salary: $84,140 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 171,400
- Job outlook: 19% growth
- Education required: Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology
8) Pharmacist
Pharmacists can work in retail pharmacies, private pharmacies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and more. They are doctorate-trained healthcare providers with extensive knowledge about medications and their side effects. Pharmacists often double-check physician orders to ensure that they are ordering safe doses and that patient medications will not interact with each other.
Pharmacists typically have a lot of resources available to help them get their jobs done and make the right decisions.
- Average salary: $132,750 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 334,200
- Job outlook: 3% growth
- Education required: Doctorate degree in Pharmacy (Learn about the requirements to get into pharmacy school here)
9) Physical Therapy Assistant
A physical therapy assistant will help patients reach their maximum ability to function by helping them perform exercises and stretches that are assigned to them by the physical therapist.
Physical therapy assistants get to help patients with their exercises but do not have to make any decisions or design a rehabilitation program. They perform only the most basic physical therapy tasks.
- Average salary: $57,240 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 145,100
- Job outlook: 19% growth
- Education required: Associate degree and certification
10) Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist performs routine cleanings of patient teeth, takes X-ray images, and educates patients on the best ways to care for their oral health.
Dental hygienists typically work during normal business hours and see 6 to 10 patients each day. Dental hygienists have predictable work routines and don’t deal with many emergencies or surprise situations.
- Average salary: $81,400 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 219,400
- Job outlook: 7% growth
- Education required: Associate degree or higher in dental hygiene
>> Read More: Dental Hygienist vs. Dental Assistant
11) Audiologist
An audiologist is a physician who helps diagnose, treat, and manage conditions that affect both balance and hearing. They can work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and government jobs.
Audiologists are generally able to take their time with each patient, helping them find the right hearing aid or other adaptive tool to improve their level of functioning.
- Average salary: $82,680 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 14,400
- Job outlook: 11%
- Education required: Doctorate degree in Audiology and licensure with the state
12) Health Educator
Health educators may help patients learn about and understand how to manage chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammatory problems, and more.
Most health educators specialize in a specific type of disease or problem and get to spend one-on-one time with their patients, sharing their knowledge. Becoming a health educator is one of the most rewarding healthcare jobs.
- Average salary: $59,990 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 60,400
- Job outlook: 7% growth
- Education required: Bachelor's degree or higher in their chosen specialty
13) Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals or diagnostic laboratories. They run tests on samples of blood, urine, and other body fluids to give physicians the information they need to make a diagnosis.
While they have to be precise in their testing, being a medical laboratory technician is a perfect job for someone who is introverted. They have predictable jobs and do not have to interact very often with customers or patients.
- Average salary: $57,380 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 342,900
- Job outlook: 5% growth
- Education required: Bachelor’s degree or higher
>> Read More: Medical Lab Technician vs. Medical Assistant
14) Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians spend their days helping to take care of sick or injured animals. Similarly to a medical assistant, veterinary technicians perform basic tasks like measuring vital signs, scheduling appointments, and giving oral medications.
Veterinary technicians work under the close supervision of a veterinarian, meaning they get to care for the animals with guidance every step of the way.
- Average salary: $38,240 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 122,900
- Job outlook: 20% growth
- Education required: Associate's degree or higher. Some veterinarians require certification for their technicians.
15) Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound technicians, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, work in hospitals and clinics to get detailed images that can help a physician diagnose and treat a patient. Ultrasound technicians may get images of a fetus inside a uterus, heart conditions, and much more.
While an ultrasound can provide detailed information, it is a non-invasive procedure with very little risk.
- Average salary: $78,210 per year
- Number of jobs in US: 142,800
- Job outlook: 10% growth
- Education required: Associate degree or post-secondary certificate
Highest-Paying Low-Stress Healthcare Jobs
Here are the average salaries of the low-stress medical jobs highlighted above from high to low:
- Pharmacist: $132,750 per year
- Occupational Therapist: $93,180 per year
- Speech-Language Pathologist: $84,140 per year
- Audiologist: $82,680 per year
- Dental Hygienist: $81,400 per year
- Ultrasound Technician: $78,210 per year
- Physical Therapy Assistant: $57,240 per year
- Health Educator: $59,990 per year
- Medical Laboratory Technician: $57,380 per year
- Medical Records Technician: $47,180 per year
- Dietitian: $66,450 per year
- Pharmacy Technician: $37,790 per year
- Medical Assistant: $38,270 per year
- Veterinary Technician: $38,240 per year
- Medical Transcriptionist: $34,730 per year
Deciding Which Low-Stress Medical Job is Best for You
While deciding which low-stress medical job is best for you, there are a few things you should consider.
First, you should think about what type of work you are interested in. If you love animals, becoming a veterinary technician might be the best choice, while if you are introverted, you might want to become a medical laboratory technician. Make sure you choose a career that you will be happy in.
Next, consider how much education is required and whether or not you are willing to commit the time and resources to complete your training. The educational requirements for an audiologist are very different from the educational requirements of a medical transcriptionist.
Salary is another important consideration when choosing a healthcare career. If you have to support a family or live somewhere with a high cost of living, you may have to sacrifice some convenience or choose a career with a higher salary.
