While doctors and nurses are, without a doubt, among the most popular and revered healthcare positions, a series of other allied health professionals also play critical roles in lives across the nation. Moreover, according to the Bureau of labor statistics, these allied health positions offer highly appealing salaries and incredible potential for job growth.
Allied health workers such as physical therapists, sonographers, radiation therapists, occupational therapists, and many more make up about 60% of the healthcare workforce, so there is no shortage of options. However, identifying the best among them - regarding growth potential and salary range - can be challenging.
This is why we have outlined 12 of the highest-paying allied health jobs and everything you need to know to start a successful career in them.
Medical and Health Services Manager
Job Description
It is the job of a medical and health services manager to oversee the business aspect of healthcare provision. By coordinating and efficiently managing cash flow and other finance-related endeavors, they play a crucial role in ensuring that medical providers are profitable and have an avenue to grow, opening the doors for more employment opportunities.
Salary Range
The bottom ten percent of medical and health service managers earn about $60,780. Those who fall in the median range earn about $101,340, while the top 10% in the profession earn as high as $205,620.
Required Degrees
Usually, only a bachelor’s degree is enough to become a medical and health services manager. However, having experience in business management and finance in the healthcare industry comes in handy. Additionally, many professionals in the field obtain master’s degrees thanks to the consolidation and advancement opportunities it provides. Several medical or health service management programs offering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available online.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 429,800 medical and health services managers.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 32% between 2020 - 2030.
• Typical medical or health service management programs take four years before completion.
Physician Assistant
Job Description
A physician assistant acts as a primary care provider for patients. This entails providing various medical care such as diagnosis, examination, medicine prescription, and test result interpretation.
Salary Range
The salary for physician assistants in the bottom ten percent falls around $77,940. The median range earners take home about $121,530, while the top 10% of PAs earn as high as $164,620.
Required Degrees
The first step to becoming a physician’s assistant is getting a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare or science field. Afterward, students often opt for a graduate program to earn a master’s degree.
All PAs must also be licensed before they can practice in any state. Accreditation is done by the ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc).
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 129,400 physician assistants.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 31% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typical physician assistant education programs take six years before completion.
Occupational Therapist
Job Description
An occupational therapist utilizes a combination of day-to-day and unique activities to facilitate recovery from injury, illness, or disability.
Salary Range
Occupational Therapists at the lower end of the spectrum earn around $60,680, median range earners take home about $85,570, while the top 10% of occupational therapists earn as high as $123,840.
Required Degrees
Like most therapy positions, occupational therapists need a master’s or doctoral degree to practice. Programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) to be valid.
Because a master’s degree can take as long as two to three years and a doctorate as much as three to four years, practicing as an occupational therapist takes about four extra years of education after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 131,600 occupational therapists
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 17% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typical education programs take six to eight years before completion.
Biomedical Engineer
Job Description
A biomedical engineer designs and installs medical technology. They also provide support and additional research required to advance said technology. Artificial organs are just an example of a technology that can be designed or modified by a biomedical engineer.
Salary Range
Biomedical engineers in the lower salary range earn about $60,680. The median earners get about $97,410, while those at the upper end of the spectrum take home $154,750.
Required Degrees
Anyone looking to become a biomedical engineer would need a bachelor’s degree, often specializing in bioengineering. Higher positions may require a master’s degree. The ABET carries out accreditation.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 19,300 biomedical engineers.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 6% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typically, a biomedical engineering education program takes four years before completion.
Physical Therapist
Job Description
Physical therapy is one of the more popular allied-health jobs. Physical therapists help patients reduce pain and increase mobility, primarily through physical exercises and other methods.
Salary Range
A physical therapist in the bottom ten percent of earners in the field will take home about $61,930. A median earner gets about $95,620, while those at the upper end of the spectrum take home $127,110.
Required Degrees
To practice as a physical therapist, one needs a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, which usually takes three more years after a bachelor’s degree program. Accreditation is carried out by CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education).
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 239,200 physical therapists in the country.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 21% between 2020 to 2030.
• Education programs take seven years before completion and practice.
Radiation Therapist
Job Description
A radiation therapist treats patients using a specially calibrated form of radiation. Radiation therapy is widespread in cancer treatments.
Salary Range
Radiation therapists just starting tend to fall in the bottom ten percent of earning volume, taking home about $61,030. Those in the median range take home $82,790, while the top 10% earn $128,550.
Required Degrees
One would need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to practice radiation therapy.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 17,700 radiation therapists.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 9% between 2020 to 2030.
• Education programs last one to two years minimum. It can often be more extended.
Genetic Counselor
Job Description
A genetic counselor helps families and individuals learn more about their genetic conditions and makeup. This way, they can learn about any disorder they may have and what that means for their congenital chances and prospective parenthood.
Salary Range
Genetic counselors just starting tend to fall in the bottom ten percent of earning volume and, as such, take home about $49,120. Those in the median range take home $80,150, while the top 10% earn $121,070.
Required Degrees
To begin as a genetic counselor, one must have a bachelor’s degree in a science-related area. From there, a master’s degree in genetic counseling is all left.
The degree, of course, must be obtained from an accredited program. Accreditation is carried out by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 2,400 genetic counselors.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 26% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typical genetic counseling education programs take six years before completion.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Job Description
A speech-language pathologist helps examine, diagnose, and treat children and adults with communication and swallowing disorders. Such conditions may be caused by stroke, dementia, or other illnesses. It is natural that as the population ages, the frequency of these conditions also increases, thereby necessitating the need for more speech-language pathologists.
Salary Range
Speech-language pathologists are starting to fall in the bottom ten percent of earning volume, taking home about $61,030. Those in the median range take home $82,790, while the top 10% earn $128,550.
Required Degrees
Anyone looking to become a speech-language pathologist must have a master’s and bachelor’s degree. The body responsible for the accreditation of these programs is the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 158,100 speech-language pathologists in the country.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 29% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typically, anyone looking to become a speech-language pathologist should be prepared to study for about six years.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Job Description
A nuclear medicine technologist deals with radioactive drugs and medicines. It is their job to administer these drugs for appropriate treatments and procedures.
Salary Range
At the lower end of the spectrum, nuclear medicine technologists earn about $60,550. Median earners take home $78,760, while top earners make $105,530.
Required Degrees
To become a nuclear medicine technologist, one needs an associate’s degree in nuclear medicine technology. Those with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in healthcare can choose to complete a one-year program in nuclear medicine technology.
Accreditation is carried out by the JRCNMT (Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology).
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 18,300 nuclear medicine technologists.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 8% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typically, anyone looking to become a nuclear medicine technologist should be prepared to study for at least two years.
Audiologist
Job Description
An audiologist helps treat people with hearing problems. They also work with patients looking to recover from ear-related and balance issues.
Salary Range
The bottom ten percent of earners in the field take home $58,920. Median earners get $78,950, while the top earners earn $120,210.
Required Degrees
Those looking to become practicing audiologists must first earn a bachelor’s degree, after which they are to enroll in a doctorate program for audiology. The Council on Academic Accreditation accredits this Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) program.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 3,700 audiologists
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 16% between 2020 to 2030.
• Audiology programs take about eight years when considering the duration of both the bachelor’s and doctorate programs.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians
Job Description
An occupational health and safety specialist and technician helps review workplace processes, procedures, and protocols to ensure absolute safety.
Salary Range
At the lower end of the spectrum, occupational health and safety specialists/technicians earn about $44,040. Median earners take home $77,560, while top earners make $118,510.
Required Degrees
Becoming an occupational health and safety specialist/ technician requires a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Some positions require a master’s degree in industrial hygiene or physical health.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 119,200 occupational health and safety specialists/technicians.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 7% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typically, anyone looking to become an occupational health and safety specialist and technician should be prepared to study for at least one or two years.
Dental Hygienist
Job Description
A dental hygienist provides varying forms of oral care, often restorative but usually preventative.
Salary Range
Dental hygienists earn about $60,100 in salary at the lower end of the spectrum. Median earners take home $77,810, while top earners make $100,200.
Required Degrees
To become a dental hygienist, one must have a high school diploma or equivalent, after which one must enroll in a dental hygiene program. This program must be accredited by the CDA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) and usually lasts for three years.
Other Key Facts & Data
• As of 2020, there were 206,100 dental hygienists.
• The field has an estimated growth rate of 11% between 2020 to 2030.
• Typically, anyone looking to become a dental hygienist must be prepared to study for at least three years.
