Careers in Healthcare

Acupuncturists and herbalists provide alternative forms of healing through acupuncture and herbal medicine. Acupuncturists use their technique to rebalance their patients’ qi and allow for the body to release natural chemicals to fit illness. Herbalists work to provide treatments to illness through herbal treatment. Both occupations are found working in private practices.

Yearly salary: $87,179 *

An anesthesiologist specializes in administering anesthesia to patients undergoing surgical procedures, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the process. They assess patients’ medical histories, evaluate the risks of anesthesia, and develop personalized anesthesia plans based on the procedure and patient condition.

Yearly salary: $393,215 *

Athletic trainers work in educational settings, including colleges, universities, and secondary schools. Other locations they work in include hospitals, fitness centers, or for professional sports teams. Their primary responsibilities are to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries and illness in the muscle and bone. Athletic trainers build relationships with their clients throughout their recovery process.

Yearly salary: $54,131 *

Biomedical researchers are found working in laboratories in universities, colleges, research facilities, and hospitals. They work to learn more about the human body and how it works by finding new ways to cure and treat disease and illness. Biomedical researchers can work with imaging technologies, genetic engineering, and molecular and biochemical techniques.

Yearly salary: $106,190 *

Chiropractors evaluate and treat patients’ neuromusculoskeletal system. This includes bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons. Additionally, they work with small instruments to perform spinal adjustments to relieve back and neck pain. They tend to work with solo or group practices in offices, primary care clinics, and hospitals.

Yearly salary: $85,646 *

Dentists are known for working with patients’ teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. Their goal is to help patients learn about their oral health and provide them with the tools for good oral hygiene. They tend to work within their own businesses or with a smaller staff.

Yearly salary: $210,137 *

Health educators are professionals who work to help people understand healthy lifestyles and improve their well-being. They work to develop educational programs, help provide access to health services and information, and host events to raise awareness. Health educators work in healthcare facilities, nonprofits, and public health departments.

Yearly salary: $56,293 *

Laboratory technicians work in laboratory settings, where they assist scientists with their work. Oftentimes, they are performing experiments, maintaining equipment, and recording data. They work in a variety of settings, including healthcare, research, and educational institutions.

Yearly salary: $46,864 *

Medical physicians can be doctors, medical practitioners, or medical doctors who practice medicine to promote, maintain, and restore the health of patients. Their primary responsibilities include examining and counseling patients and prescribing medications. 

Yearly salary: $208,152 *

Medical technologists perform critical diagnostic tests on patient samples. Additionally, they maintain lab equipment and analyze results. There are plenty of specializations within medical technologists that allow for students to pick the one that suits them and their passions the best. Medical technologists work in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, and school campuses.

Yearly salary: $73,307 *

Nurses are licensed health professionals who care for ill patients and help promote and maintain health. Their responsibilities are to observe, access, and record symptoms and progress, administer treatment plans, and monitor patient recovery. Nurses work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities.

Yearly salary: $87,868 *

Nursing assistants, also known as certified nursing assistants (CNA), work to provide basic care and support to patients in healthcare facilities. They work under the supervision of licensed nurses. Nursing assistants’ responsibilities include aiding patients in personal care and mobility, recording vital signs, and cleaning medical equipment and supplies. They are found working in physicians’ offices and hospitals.

Yearly salary: $37,838 *

Occupational therapists work to help patients continue with their daily lives by helping patients gain independence through the treatment of patients’ injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. Occupational therapists work in hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics.

Yearly salary: $83,624 *

Optometrists work to diagnose eye disorders and diseases, examine the eyes for vision disorders, and to find hidden health disorders through the eyes. They can work in many locations, including hospitals, offices, academic institutions, and for the military.

Yearly salary: $124,213 *

Osteopathic physicians are medical professionals who work with the whole body in their approach to medicine, including soft tissues, spine, and nervous systems. They emphasize preventive care and helping patients develop lifestyles to prevent illness. Osteopathic physicians work in a wide-variety of settings, including primary care, family medicine, emergency medicine, hospitals, and medical research.

Yearly salary: $171,350 *

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who know how to store, preserve, and provide medicine to patients. They specialize in the right way to use medicine. Pharmacists work in pharmacies in general merchandise, drug, and grocery stores, as well as hospitals and healthcare facilities

Yearly salary: $126,701 *

Physician assistants are medical professionals who work under the supervision of licensed physicians to provide diagnoses and treatments. They work in a variety of locations, including primary care and specialty care facilities. The main responsibilities of physician assistants are taking medical histories, conducting physical exams, and developing treatment plans.

Yearly salary: $120,212 *

A physician scientist is a medical professional who works both with clinical practice and scientific research. Research ranges from disease prevention to rare conditions to the development of new pharmaceuticals. They work in a variety of settings, ranging from laboratories, clinics, universities, and research institutions.

Yearly salary: $374,999 *

Podiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in the treatment of foot, ankle, and other lower limb conditions. Additionally, they work to treat problems related to diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions relating to the lower limbs. Podiatrists are seen working in offices of podiatry, medical offices, and hospitals.

Yearly salary: $147,232 *

Veterinarians work to diagnose and treat animals with illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities include examining animals, performing diagnostics, and treating animals. They work in their own businesses or vet hospitals, where they provide their care to a wide-variety of animals.

Yearly salary: $165,527 *