If your streaming history is packed with titles like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House,” “The Good Doctor,” and “New Amsterdam,” you clearly love medical dramas. But have you ever thought of pursuing in the footsteps of Meredith Grey and becoming a health care provider?
There are a lot of health care jobs beyond “doctor” (in case the thought of med school makes you cringe). And the job outlook for health care career opportunities is good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in the field is expected to grow 13% through 2031, thanks in part to the aging population. Your earnings potential in health care is also good, with a median wage of $75,040.
If you’re curious about a health care career but don’t know which path is right for you, this guide has you covered. We highlight 10 job opportunities and give you some tips on figuring out if this is the right career path for you.
10 top health care jobs
Many types of jobs are available in health care facilities. If the thought of blood makes you squeamish, becoming a doctor or nurse may not be the right fit. But other roles, like physical therapist or pharmacist, can be a blood-free alternative.
Registered nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) work on the front lines with patients, doing tasks like performing physical exams, providing care, and educating patients on treatment plans. RNs assist doctors and other medical professionals and may oversee more junior staff, like nursing assistants.
Average salary: $85,390 per year
Education and licensing requirements: You’ll need an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing, plus you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) nursing exam. You’ll also need a state license.
Useful skill sets:
- People person
- Compassionate
- Friendly demeanor
Pharmacist
Pharmacists help people stay well by providing prescription drugs. They may educate patients about medicines, how to take them, and potential side effects. Some pharmacists work in hospitals, nursing homes, or rehab centers.
Average salary: $148,703 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: You’ll need an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in an area like chemistry or biology. You can then take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) and get your Doctorate of Pharmacy. Most states require a pharmacist license.
Useful skill sets:
- Detail-oriented
- Excellent communication skills
- Customer-service mindset
Physician assistant
Physician’s assistants work under doctors and other health care professionals to provide patient care. They help with diagnostic procedures and treatment plans, such as ordering tests, performing minor procedures (like stitching wounds), and documenting patient records.
Average salary: $116,781 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: Start with a bachelor’s degree in a field like biology and go on to enroll in an accredited physician assistant master’s degree program; check with the Physician Assistant Education Association for accreditation details. You must then pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam and get a state license.
Useful skill sets:
- Friendly demeanor
- Team player
- Well-organized
Physical therapist
Physical therapists help people regain mobility, improve motor function, and reduce pain after an illness or injury. They may also support patients in recovery after surgery.
Average salary: $97,801 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: The first step is to get a bachelor’s degree. You must then graduate from a program recognized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education to get your Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Finally, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and get state-licensed.
Useful skill sets:
- Motivational attitude
- Compassionate
- Physically fit
Dentist
If you want to get people cheesin’, here’s your gig. Dentists provide oral health care services, from filling cavities to performing root canals. They also educate patients on preventive dental care.
Average salary: $189,891 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: To become a dentist, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree and pass the Dental Admission Test to get a spot in dental school. Once you graduate, get licensed by passing the board exams overseen by the American Dental Association and the Commission on Dental Accreditation. You’ll also need to get state-licensed.
Useful skill sets:
- Great communicator
- Good people skills
- Keen eye for detail
Dietitian
Registered dietitians or nutritionists help people stay healthy by offering nutrition advice and guidance. They can develop meal plans for patients dealing with chronic illnesses like Type 2 diabetes, for example.
Average salary: $68,390 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: You must be certified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) to become a registered dietitian. Earn a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, get certified according to your state’s requirements, and pass the relevant AND exam.
Useful skill sets:
- Personable
- Good educator
- Clear communicator
Orthodontist
Orthodontists are a niche dental specialty focusing on dental alignment. If you ever had braces, you dealt with an orthodontist. However, these pros also do things like fix misaligned jaws.
Average salary: $150,430 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: Becoming an orthodontist starts with getting a bachelor’s degree in a health-relevant field like biology or chemistry. You must also pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT) to get into dental school. Once you graduate from dental school and pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), you must complete an orthodontics residency. You can then apply for your orthodontist license and get certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).
Useful skill sets:
- Work well under pressure
- Multitasking ability
- Good bedside manner
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help people recover from accidents or illnesses. Unlike physical therapists, who focus on restoring general mobility and motility, occupational therapists focus on helping people regain the ability to do everyday tasks (like feeding themselves).
Average salary: $96,589 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: The first step is a bachelor’s degree in a field like health sciences, kinesiology, physiology, or biology. You can then get a master’s degree in occupational therapy and, once completed, take the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) exam. You can get your state license once you have your Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) certification.
Useful skill sets:
- Friendly
- Physically fit
- Good communication skills
Nurse anesthetist
If you’re looking for the best-paying job on the list, THIS is it. Nurse anesthetists work with surgeons, dentists, and other types of medical professionals to safely administer anesthesia to patients. They evaluate the patient before operations, prep them, administer anesthesia, and ensure patients are stable throughout procedures.
Average salary: $209,432 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: Start by getting your bachelor’s degree in nursing. You must then pass the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) exam and get your Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license from your state.
Useful skill sets:
- Critical thinking skills
- Excellent communicator
- Problem-solving abilities
Speech-language pathologist
Speech-language pathologists work with patients to diagnose and treat communication issues and speed impediments. They may deal with lisps, stuttering, raspiness, and cognitive-communicative disorders.
Average salary: $90,277 per year (median salary)
Education and licensing requirements: The first step is to get a bachelor’s degree in a field like linguistics, biology, psychology, education, or language development. Then, you’ll get a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, complete a postgraduate fellowship, take the Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology exam, and apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology before getting state licensed. Whew! It’s a lot, but it’s a very rewarding career.
Useful skill sets:
- People person
- Highly organized
- Multitasking ability
Pros and cons of working in health care
Unsure whether health care is right for you? Here are some honest pros and cons to consider when figuring out your future.
Pros of health care careers
Want the TL;DR answer to the question, “Is health care a good career path?” Let’s start with the positive. Health care job opportunities have plenty of perks, including:
- Job security. The outlook for health care job growth is excellent, with above-average growth anticipated.
- Great earnings potential. Given the high demand for health care providers, it should come as no surprise that the earnings are good. That said, your salary depends on the role. While the average dietitian makes $68,390 per year, a nurse anesthetist makes more than double at $209,432 per year.
- A fulfilling career. Health care can be rewarding, allowing you to help people improve their well-being.
Cons of health care careers
Working in public health has some drawbacks, too. Be aware of these disadvantages:
- Lengthy training requirements. Most health care field jobs require a bachelor’s degree plus continuing education like a master’s degree.
- High-stress environments. Health care work environments can be stressful, as you’re holding people’s lives in your hands.
- Long hours. Some health care jobs require long hours, making work-life balance a challenge. Mental health issues like burnout can arise in health care workers.
What education do you need for a career in health care?
Health care jobs are education-intensive — in most cases, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree plus a master’s degree or more. That said, you can get by with an associate degree and hands-on training in fields like nursing and pharmacy.
If the educational requirements have you shook, there are alternatives. Home health aides and massage therapists only need a high school diploma and industry-specific training and certification.
Other roles requiring less intense schooling include:
- Dental hygienists
- Dental assistants
- Pharmacy technicians
- Physical therapist assistants
- Paramedics
- Occupational therapy assistants
- Medical transcriptionists
You can also try a health care administration gig, for example, working for health insurance companies.
The best college majors for health care jobs
If you’ve decided that a health care job is for you, scope out schools to find a fitting program. College Rover can help you compare colleges.
Next up? Picking a major. Try these options:
- Nursing. A nursing degree opens up health care industry jobs like RN and nurse anesthetist.
- Biology. Biology is a popular option for undergrads planning to work in the medical care industry.
- Chemistry. Chemistry is another major that can pave the path to a health career.
- Kinesiology. This degree can get you into the medical field as an occupational therapist.
- Education. A speech-language pathologist can use an education degree.
Use College Rover to find the best school for your future career aspirations
If you want future-proof career options, health care is an in-demand field worth considering. The first step? Getting the right education.
College Rover has information on different schools and majors and tips for getting into your dream school.
