50 Top-Paying Careers in Health Care
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50 Top-Paying Careers in Health Care

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If you’re looking for a career in an industry that’s likely to grow over the next decade, consider a job in health care. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that of the thirty fastest growing occupations, health care dominates the list with 20 different jobs. 

BLS also projects job growth of 19 percent over the next decade. This will result in an additional 2.3 million jobs in the sector. Two reasons driving the growth:

  • More people have insurance access through the Affordable Care Act
  • Baby boomers are aging into Medicare.

Related: Top 5 Industries for Job Hunters in 2016

And the good news is not all of the careers require years and years of medical school. Requirements range from being licensed to receiving a graduate degree, though additional accreditation typically leads to better-paying and more advanced jobs.

Below are the 50 top-paying careers in health care (low to high), along with the minimum education requirements for each position and their median salaries. The list, from the online publication Best Medical Degrees, is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Forbes and U.S. News and World Report. Salaries for the jobs that made the list ranged between $31,700 and $120,950.

Related: 10 Best Cities for Job Seekers

50. Paramedics
Requirements: EMT and Advanced EMT levels of instruction, as well as courses in advanced medical skills
Median Salary: $31,700

49. Dental Assistants
Requirements: Depending on the state, either no formal education or an accredited Associate's degree
Median Salary: $37,390

48. Addiction and Rehabilitation Counselors
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Median Salary: $39,270

47. Physical Therapy Assistants
Requirements: Associate's degree and state license
Median Salary: $41,640

46. Marriage and Family Therapists
Requirements: Master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling (MFT) and license
Median Salary: $42,250

45. Licensed Practical Nurses
Requirements: Associate's degree and state license
Median Salary: $42,490

44. Surgical Technologists
Requirements: Associate's degree or certification
Median Salary: $43,450

43. Clinical Social Workers
Requirements: Master’s degree and two years of experience in a supervised clinical setting
Median Salary: $45,500

42. Medical Equipment Repairer
Requirements: Associate's degree in biomedical technology or engineering
Median Salary: $45,660

41. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology. Some employers require certification.
Median Salary: $49,310

40. Computer Support Specialists
Requirements: Associate's degree
Median Salary: $50,380

39. Occupational Therapy Assistants
Requirements: Associate's degree
Median Salary: $52,300

38. MRI Technologists
Requirements: Either an Associate’s degree or trained as a radiological technician
Median Salary: $57,370

37. Public Relations Specialist
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Median Salary: $55,680

36. Respiratory Therapists
Requirements: Associate’s degree and usually licensing
Median Salary: $56,730

35. Dietitians and Nutritionists
Requirements: Licensure
Median Salary: $56,950

34. Human Resource Specialist
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and sometimes certification
Median Salary: $57,420

33. Medical Sonographers
Requirements: Associate's or Bachelor's degree and must be licensed and certified
Median Salary: $62,540

32. Cardiovascular Technicians
Requirements: Associate's degree, and sometimes certification by Cardiovascular Credentialing International
Median Salary: $62,540

31. Health Care Web Developer
Requirements: Associate's degree
Median Salary: $63,490

30. Orthotists and Prosthetists
Requirements: Master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics
Median Salary: $64,040

29. Health Care Compliance Officers
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, but sometimes a Master's degree in nursing or a medical degree is necessary
Median Salary: $64,950

28. Registered Nurses
Requirements: Either a Bachelor of Nursing Degree or an Associate's Degree in nursing
Median Salary: $66,640

27. Chiropractors
Requirements: A minimum of three years undergraduate study, a four-year program in Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a state license
Median Salary: $66,720

26. Genetic Counselors
Requirements: Master’s degree and usually licensing
Median Salary: $67,500

25. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Median Salary: $69,210

24. Speech Language Pathologists
Requirements: Master’s degree
Median Salary: $71,550

23. Dental Hygienists
Requirements: Licensing and certification
Median Salary: $72,250

22. Audiologists
Requirements: A doctoral degree in audiology (Au.D.) is required to become licensed
Median Salary: $73,060

21. Chemists
Requirements: Bachelor of Science in chemistry
Median Salary: $74,720

20. Nursing Educators
Requirements: Master's or Doctoral degree
Median Salary: $72,210 for nursing instructors in colleges and universities and $83,650 for those teaching in general medical centers or surgical hospitals

19. Occupational Therapists
Requirements: Master's degree
Median Salary: $78,810

18. Medical Scientists
Requirements: Ph.D. degree
Median Salary: $79,930

17. Information Security Analysts
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in information technology
Median Salary: $88.890

16. Radiation Therapists
Requirements: Associate's degree in nuclear medicine technology
Median Salary: $80,090

15. Physical Therapists
Requirements: Graduate degree and state licensing
Median Salary: $82,390

14. Biochemists
Requirements: Typically a doctoral degree, but jobs are open for those with a bachelor's or master's degree
Median Salary: $84,940

13. Biomedical Engineers
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Median Salary: $86,950

12. Clinical Trial Nurses
Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Median Salary: $92,600

11. Health Care Administrators
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Median Salary: $92,810

10. Health Information Managers
Requirements: Master's degree
Median Salary: $95,000

9. Medical Perfusionists
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and certification and licensure
Median Salary: $93,500

8. Physician Assistants
Requirements: Bachelor's or master's degree
Median Salary: $95,820

7. Gerentology Nurses
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Median Salary: $96,460

6. Doctor of Nursing Practice
Requirements: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Median Salary: $96,940

5. Psychologists
Requirements: Doctoral degree
Median Salary: $39,000 - $100,000

4. Optometrists
Requirements: A four-year Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree
Median Salary: $101,410

3. Advanced Practice Nurses (APRN)
Requirements: Master’s degree
Median Salary: $102,670

2. Podiatrists
Requirements: A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree
Median Salary: $120,700

1. Pharmacists
Requirements: A Doctor of Pharmacy degree
Median Salary: $120,950

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