Working in healthcare offers great job security, a decent salary, and an opportunity to make a difference every day. However, some people choose to avoid working in healthcare because it can be seen as a stressful career.
If you’ve 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 on people’s lives and enjoy great job security without sacrificing your sanity. People who work in these roles 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, median salary, and more to help you find the occupation where you’ll be 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. These are often some of the happiest jobs in the medical field.
Some of the following are entry-level healthcare jobs while 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 emergency situations.
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, check out our 4-Month Online Medical Assistant Program which includes support for finding an in-person externship and coaching when looking for a full-time job.
- Median salary: $41,600
- Number of jobs in the US: 783,900
- Job outlook: 15% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: High school diploma or GED required, 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 support for finding an in-person externship and coaching as you look for a full-time job.
- Median salary: $41,600
- Number of jobs in US: 487,920
- Job outlook: 7% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: High school diploma or GED, and most states require pharmacy technician 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 work in hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and long-term care facilities. They work with a variety of patients and handle everything from assisting with procedures to answering phone calls.
People who love being a patient care technician often state that they enjoy taking care of their patients, working with physicians, handling administrative tasks, and getting the opportunity to learn new things every day.
Many patient care technicians are happy to stay in their careers for their entire lives, while others go on to become nurses, physician assistants, and medical doctors.
- 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
Dental assistants are often confused with dental hygienists. While hygienists have to complete several years of schooling, dental assistants can get a job and start working after just a few months of training. Dental assistants have many responsibilities while working in a dentist’s office, like taking X-rays, scheduling patients, and assisting the dentist with advanced procedures such as extractions and fillings.
- Median salary: $47,300
- Number of jobs in the US: 376,500
- Job outlook: 8% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
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 or GED required, certification preferred
7) Medical Office Assistant
Medical office assistants are also known as medical receptionists or medical administrative assistants. They work in medical offices helping patients schedule appointments, pay their bills on time, and feel comfortable in the waiting room.
Medical office assistants learn a lot about different patient conditions, understand medical terminology, and must have great customer service skills. Some medical office assistants are able to find work-from-home jobs.
- Median salary: $40,640
- Number of jobs in the US: 749,500
- Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: High school diploma or GED required, certification preferred
8) Medical Records Technician
A medical records technician makes sure that patients’ healthcare documents are updated, accurate, and 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.
- 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 required, certification preferred
9) 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.
- Median salary: $73,850
- Number of jobs in US: 76,570
- Job outlook: 7% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Bachelor’s degree plus license
10) 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.
- 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
11) Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist is someone who helps people 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.
- Median salary: $98,340
- Number of jobs in US: 152,280
- Job outlook: 11% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Master's degree plus license
12) Speech-Language Pathologist
A speech-language pathologist, also called a speech therapist, works with both children and adults who need to improve their speaking and eating skills. Speech therapists 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.
- Median salary: $95,410
- Number of jobs in US: 178,790
- Job outlook: 18% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Master’s degree
13) 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.
- Median salary: $137,480
- Number of jobs in US: 328,870
- Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Doctorate's degree
>> Learn about the requirements to get into pharmacy school
14) Physical Therapy Assistant
A physical therapy assistant helps patients reach their maximum ability to function by helping them perform exercises and stretches. 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.
- Median salary: $65,510
- Number of jobs in US: 108,010
- Job outlook: 19% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Associate's degree plus certification
15) 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.
- Median salary: $94,260
- Number of jobs in US: 219,070
- Job outlook: 9% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Associate's degree
>> Read More: Dental Hygienist vs. Dental Assistant
16) 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 the government. 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.
- 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 license
17) Health Educator
Health educators help patients learn about 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. Being a health educator is one of the most rewarding healthcare jobs.
- Median salary: $63,000
- Number of jobs in US: 65,150
- Job outlook: 7% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Bachelor's degree
18) 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.
- Median salary: $61,890
- Number of jobs in US: 343,040
- Job outlook: 5% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Bachelor’s degree
>> Read More: Medical Lab Technician vs. Medical Assistant
19) Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians spend their days helping to take care of sick or injured animals. Like medical assistants, 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.
- Median salary: $45,980
- Number of jobs in US: 131,320
- Job outlook: 19% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Associate's degree (some veterinarians require certification)
20) 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.
- Median salary: $89,340
- Number of jobs in US: 86,460
- Job outlook: 2% growth from 2023-2033
- Education required: Associate's degree or post-secondary certificate
21) Recreational Therapy Aide
Recreation therapy is an incredibly rewarding job and is a great experience for anyone wanting to start a career in healthcare. Recreational therapists help their patients using music therapy, games, play therapy, and more. Recreational therapy aides assist in that work by helping residents and patients 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
22) Anesthesia Monitoring Technician
Anesthesia monitoring technicians work in acute care areas such as intensive care units, emergency departments, and operating rooms. They work closely with anesthesiologists and help monitor airways, secure arterial lines, and measure vital signs.
Anesthesia monitoring technicians have to have an excellent understanding of sterile technique and how an operating room functions. While they do work in critical care areas, their responsibilities and duties are relatively routine and low stress.
- 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
Highest-Paying Low-Stress Healthcare Jobs
Here are the median salaries of the low-stress medical jobs highlighted above from high to low:
- Pharmacist: $137,480
- Occupational Therapist: $98,340
- Speech-Language Pathologist: $95,410
- Dental Hygienist: $94,260
- Audiologist: $92,120
- Ultrasound Technician: $89,340
- Dietitian: $73,850
- Physical Therapy Assistant: $65,510
- Health Educator: $63,000
- Anesthesia Monitoring Technician: $62,480
- Medical Laboratory Technician: $61,890
- Medical Records Technician: $50,250
- Dental Assistant: $47,300
- Veterinary Technician: $45,980
- Recreational Therapy Aide: $44,200
- Pharmacy Technician: $41,600
- Medical Assistant: $41,600
- Medical Administrative Assistant, also called Medical Office Assistant or Medical Receptionist: $40,640
- Patient Care Technician: $39,430
- Medical Transcriptionist: $37,550
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. For example, 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.
Ready to pursue a healthcare career? Check out our online training programs here at Stepful that can be completed in just a few months and are much more affordable than in-person alternatives.
