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Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 1.9 million new jobs. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services.
The median annual wage for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (such as registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists) was $66,440 in May 2018, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy of $38,640.
Healthcare support occupations (such as home health aides, occupational therapy assistants, and medical transcriptionists) had a median annual wage of $29,740 in May 2018, lower than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy.
OCCUPATION | JOB SUMMARY | ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION | 2020 MEDIAN PAY | |
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Athletic Trainers |
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. |
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Audiologists |
Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat a patient’s hearing, balance, or ear problems. |
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Chiropractors |
Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. |
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Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians |
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances. |
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Dental Assistants |
Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. |
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Dental Hygienists |
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventive dental care. |
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Dentists |
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. |
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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists |
Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests. |
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Dietitians and Nutritionists |
Dietitians and nutritionists advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal. |
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EMTs and Paramedics |
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. |
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Exercise Physiologists |
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover. |
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Genetic Counselors |
Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. |
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Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides |
Home health aides and personal care aides help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairment by assisting in their daily living activities. |
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Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care. |
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Massage Therapists |
Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. |
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Medical Assistants |
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, offices of physicians, and other healthcare facilities. |
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Medical Records and Health Information Technicians |
Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health information data. |
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Medical Transcriptionists |
Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings that physicians and other healthcare workers make and convert them into written reports. |
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Nuclear Medicine Technologists |
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes. |
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Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners |
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. |
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Nursing Assistants and Orderlies |
Nursing assistants help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities. |
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Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians |
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on and analyze many types of work environments and work procedures. |
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Occupational Therapists |
Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. |
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Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides |
Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. |
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Opticians |
Opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. |
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Optometrists |
Optometrists diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. |
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Orthotists and Prosthetists |
Orthotists and prosthetists design and fabricate medical supportive devices and measure and fit patients for them. |
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Pharmacists |
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. |
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Pharmacy Technicians |
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. |
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Phlebotomists |
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. |
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Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides |
Physical therapist assistants and aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. |
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Physical Therapists |
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. |
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Physician Assistants |
Physician assistants practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. |
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Physicians and Surgeons |
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. |
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Podiatrists |
Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. |
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Psychiatric Technicians and Aides |
Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental illness and developmental disabilities. |
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Radiation Therapists |
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments. |
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Radiologic and MRI Technologists |
Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. |
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Recreational Therapists |
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. |
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Registered Nurses |
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions. |
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Respiratory Therapists |
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. |
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Speech-Language Pathologists |
Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. |
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Surgical Technologists |
Surgical technologists assist in surgical operations. |
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Veterinarians |
Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. |
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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers |
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and others with their daily tasks. |
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Veterinary Technologists and Technicians |
Veterinary technologists and technicians do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses. |
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Last Modified Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2019