Salaries for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare is an increasingly important sector of employment due to an aging population and constant advances in medical science. Research the average employee salaries for positions in the healthcare field, such as nurses, doctors, caregivers, and healthcare administrators. Find out the top paying jobs in the health sector, such as orthodontists, internists, and psychologists and how local compensation is for each type of career.

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Provide treatment of symptoms and disorders using needles and small electrical currents. May provide massage treatment. May also provide preventive treatments.

Most have a master's degree

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.

Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

Physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.

Most have post doctoral training

Evaluate and advise individuals to assist recovery from or avoid athletic-related injuries or illnesses, or maintain peak physical fitness. May provide first aid or emergency care.

Most have a bachelor's degree

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

Most have a bachelor's degree

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation,...

Most have a bachelor's degree

Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests....

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.

Most have a doctoral degree

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

Most have a bachelor's degree

Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests, and formulate and administer programs of treatment.

Most have post doctoral training

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and...

Most have a bachelor's degree

Assess and evaluate individuals' problems through the use of case history, interview, and observation and provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal,...

Most have a doctoral degree

Analyze chromosomes found in biological specimens such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, or treatment of genetic diseases.

Most have a bachelor's degree

Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.

Most have a bachelor's degree

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Most have a vocational certificate

Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances...

Most have a doctoral degree

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases or other conditions of the skin.

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel...

Most have less than a high school diploma

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or...

Most have a post-baccalaureate certificate

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

Most have a master's degree

Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

Most have a doctoral degree

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning,...

Most have a bachelor's degree

Prepare histologic slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist in research studies.

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities at the patient's home or in a care...

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Provide inpatient care predominantly in settings such as medical wards, acute care units, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers, or emergency rooms. Manage and coordinate patient care throughout treatment.

Most have post doctoral training

Physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.

Most have post doctoral training

Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered...

Most have some college

Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.

Most have a master's degree

Apply standardized mathematical formulas, principles, and methodology to technological problems in engineering and physical sciences in relation to specific industrial and research objectives, processes, equipment, and...

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Most have a bachelor's degree

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for...

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. Process,...

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities. Includes physicians,...

Most have a doctoral degree

Transcribe medical reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare practitioners using various electronic devices, covering office visits, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart...

Most have some college

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case...

Most have a master's degree

Provide prenatal care and childbirth assistance.

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals. May use physiological, psychological or mechanical methods. May also use natural...

Most have a doctoral degree

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and disorders of the nervous system.

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to diagnose and treat disorders of higher cerebral functioning.

Most have post doctoral training

Diagnose and treat diseases using radioactive materials and techniques. May monitor radionuclide preparation, administration, and disposition.

Most have post doctoral training

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be...

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Physicians who provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general...

Most have a doctoral degree

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or...

Most have a master's degree

Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment...

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity...

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders,...

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries of the eyes and related structures.

Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with...

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe...

Most have a doctoral degree

Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform...

Most have post doctoral training

Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

Most have post doctoral training

Diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments.

Most have a post-baccalaureate certificate

Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.

Most have a post-baccalaureate certificate

Diagnose presence and stage of diseases using laboratory techniques and patient specimens. Study the nature, cause, and development of diseases. May perform autopsies.

Most have post doctoral training

Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.

Most have a bachelor's degree

Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

Most have post doctoral training

Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage,...

Most have a first professional degree

Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

Most have a vocational certificate

Diagnose and treat disorders requiring physiotherapy to provide physical, mental, and occupational rehabilitation.

Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of...

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

Most have a master's degree

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must...

Most have a master's degree

Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.

Most have post doctoral training

Apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, and aid in the prevention or reduction of risk of disease, injury, disability, or death. May...

Most have post doctoral training

Construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to...

Most have post doctoral training

Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or...

Most have a high school diploma or GED

Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical...

Most have a bachelor's degree

Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.

Most have post doctoral training

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and...

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning modalities.

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Examine and diagnose disorders and diseases using x-rays and radioactive materials. May treat patients.

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and arts and crafts....

Most have a bachelor's degree

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct...

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Provide respiratory care under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.

Most have an associate's or 2-year degree

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

Most have a master's degree

Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language...

Most have a bachelor's degree

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.

Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.

Most have a doctoral degree

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass...

Most have a vocational certificate

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.

The healthcare and medical fields currently enjoy a very strong employment market as well as high expectations for continued growth. The medical field is one of the most highly compensated areas of practice. Salaries and compensation are expected to rise further over the next ten years, as a skills shortage compounds natural demographic trends and an aging population.

The most highly paid professions in the healthcare field require medical degrees in specialized areas. However, healthcare careers even when excluding medical doctors have much higher average salaries than other professions. Jobs such as Chiropractors, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Radiation Technicians, and Physician Assistants do not require medical degrees, but enjoy high compensation. Unemployment is very low for specialized medical jobs. Fields such as nursing are expected to experience moderate to severe talent shortages in the coming years.