Healthcare Occupations
OCCUPATION | JOB SUMMARY | ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION | 2020 MEDIAN PAY |
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. | Bachelor’s degree | $49,860 | |
Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat a patient’s hearing, balance, or ear problems. | Doctoral or professional degree | $81,030 | |
Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. | Doctoral or professional degree | $70,720 | |
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances. | Bachelor’s degree | $54,180 | |
Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $41,180 | |
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. | Associate’s degree | $77,090 | |
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. | Doctoral or professional degree | $164,010 | |
Dietitians and nutritionists advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal. | Bachelor’s degree | $63,090 | |
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $36,650 | |
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover. | Bachelor’s degree | $50,280 | |
Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. | Master’s degree | $85,700 | |
Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities. | High school diploma or equivalent | $27,080 | |
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $48,820 | |
Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $43,620 | |
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, offices of physicians, and other healthcare facilities. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $35,850 | |
Medical records and health information specialists organize, manage, and code health information data. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $45,240 | |
Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests. | Associate’s degree | $70,380 |
Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings that physicians and other healthcare workers make and convert them into written reports. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $35,270 | |
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radioactive drugs for imaging or treatment. | Associate’s degree | $79,590 | |
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. | Master’s degree | $117,670 | |
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas. | $30,830 | ||
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on and analyze many types of work environments and work procedures. | $72,530 | ||
Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. | Master’s degree | $86,280 | |
Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. | $60,950 | ||
Opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. | High school diploma or equivalent | $38,530 | |
Optometrists diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. | Doctoral or professional degree | $118,050 | |
Orthotists and prosthetists design and fabricate medical supportive devices and measure and fit patients for them. | Master’s degree | $70,190 | |
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. | Doctoral or professional degree | $128,710 | |
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. | High school diploma or equivalent | $35,100 | |
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. | Postsecondary nondegree award | $36,320 | |
Physical therapist assistants and aides are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses. | $49,970 | ||
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. | Doctoral or professional degree | $91,010 | |
Physician assistants practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. | Master’s degree | $115,390 | |
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance. | Doctoral or professional degree | This wage is equal to or greater than $208,000 per year. | |
Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. | Doctoral or professional degree | $134,300 | |
Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental illness and developmental disabilities. | $33,140 | ||
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments. | Associate’s degree | $86,850 | |
Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. | Associate’s degree | $63,710 | |
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. | Bachelor’s degree | $47,710 | |
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions. | Bachelor’s degree | $75,330 | |
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. | Associate’s degree | $62,810 |
