What Jobs Am I Qualified For With A Healthcare Degree?
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Updated September 29, 2022 · 2 Min Read
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Highest Paying Healthcare Careers
Healthcare is a huge field, and you could earn a high salary in a variety of different careers. To learn more, head over to the College Choice Healthcare homepage. Let’s take a look at a few of the job titles with the highest earning potential:Orthopedic Surgeon
It probably comes as no surprise that surgeons are among the highest-paid Healthcare professionals. For example, in 2017 an orthopedic surgeon could earn $489,000. The trade-off? The education and training required are not for the faint of heart. Here’s how it breaks down:- Bachelor’s degree: 4 years
- Medical school: 4 years
- Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination
- Orthopedic surgery residence program: 5 years
- Practice in the field: 2 years
- Pass the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery Certification exams
Physician Assistant
Looking for another great option in Healthcare – one that won’t take 15 years? Physician assistants work closely with doctors and patients in all areas of medicine, and they earn a median salary of $101,480. To become a physician assistant, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree in a science-related degree, and then complete a master’s degree program in the field. Previous patient-care experience is sometimes a prerequisite – volunteer work could fill the requirement if you don’t already have Healthcare experience.Radiation Therapist
If you are detail-oriented and comfortable with technology, you might have a bright future as a radiation therapist. The median salary for this career is $80,160 a year, and you can get started in just a few years with an associate or bachelor’s degree. Radiation therapists work closely with doctors and nurses to treat patients with cancer, so this is a career that will allow you to really make a difference while making a great salary.Fastest Growing Jobs
From 2016 to 2026, virtually every type of job in Healthcare will grow at a faster rate than other fields. If you want to be confident that your degree will be in high demand, check out the Healthcare roles that are expected to experience the most growth:Genetic Counselors
New advances in genomics and medical technology will lead to lots of new Healthcare opportunities. For genetic counselors, employment is projected to grow 28 percent by 2026. According to the BLS, this is much faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations. Genetic counselors help patients who are concerned about genetic disorders and other inheritable conditions. If this sounds like the career for you, you’ll need a master’s degree in genetics or genetic counseling, and you’ll probably need to become certified in your state. The median salary for genetic counselors is $74,120 per year, and the highest paid report earning more than $100,000.Home Health Aides
One of the fastest growing jobs in Healthcare is also one of the lowest paying. The projected growth in employment for home health aides is 40% by 2026. While they will be in high demand, thanks to the aging baby boomer generation, the median salary for home health aides is $22,170 per year, and tops out around $30,000 for the highest paid workers. This is partly because most states require very little training for home health aides – in some places, on-the-job training is all that’s required. On the other hand, some states require formal training from vocational schools or community colleges.Online College Resources
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