Top 10 Healthcare Jobs - That Don’t Require a Doctorate Degree

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare employment is projected to grow faster than any other sector, increasing 14% over the next decade, and adding roughly 1.9 million new jobs. Why so much growth? The growth is primarily due to an aging population of baby boomers, increasing future demand for healthcare services.

What does this mean for those seeking a new career? Healthcare is hiring, and you do not necessarily need an MD or Ph.D. to find a challenging career with competitive pay. There are many positions that require less education but still offer a substantial annual wage with job growth.

The following is a list of 10 top healthcare jobs predicted to see high rates of job growth over the next ten years.

Physician Assistant

Median annual wage: $108, 610

Projected job growth through 2028: 31%

What is a Physician Assistant? Physician Assistants (PA’s) work directly with physicians to provide medical care to patients.

What do they do? Their duties include treating and diagnosing patients, performing physical exams, assisting physicians in surgeries, and seeing patients in the hospital.

What is required to be a Physician Assistant? A Physician Assistant must have a Master’s Degree from an accredited program and pass a National Certification Exam to be licensed by the state they are working. To practice, PA’s must also have an agreement with a supervising physician.

Nurse Anesthetist

Median annual wage: $113,930

Projected job growth through 2028: 26%

What is a Nurse Anesthesiologist? Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who specialize in anesthesiology.

What do they do? Nurse anesthesiologists provide anesthesia and related care to patients during surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures.

What is required to be a Nurse Anesthesiologist? Nurse anesthetists must hold an RN, have one year of acute care or critical care experience, and a master's degree from an accredited nurse anesthetist program.

Nurse Practitioner (APRN)

Median annual wage: $113,930

Projected job growth through 2028: 26%

What is a Nurse Practitioner? Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses with additional education and training, allowing them to serve as primary and specialty care providers.

What do they do? Their duties include performing patient exams, ordering labs, prescribing medicine, authorizing treatments, and educating patients on continued care.

What is required to be a Nurse Practitioner? A Nurse Practitioner must have a registered nursing license and earn at least a master’s degree from an accredited medical program.

Occupational Therapists

Median annual wage: $84,270

Projected job growth through 2028: 18%

What is an Occupational Therapist? An occupational therapist (OT) is a trained healthcare professional that utilizes evidence-based practice, research, and therapeutic interventions to treat patients who are injured, ill, or disabled.

What do they do? Occupational therapists help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.

What is required to be an Occupational Therapist? Occupational therapists must have a Master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Nurse Midwife

Median annual wage: $113,930

Projected job growth through 2028: 26%

What is a Nurse Midwife?

Nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) that specialize in caring for women.

What do they do? Nurse midwives see women patients of all ages for annual exams, pregnancy exams, menopausal care, and family planning services. They deliver babies, and may also provide surgical assistance to physicians during caesarean births.

What is required to become a Nurse Midwife?

A nurse midwife must have a registered nursing license with a bachelor’s of science in nursing and a master’s degree from an accredited midwifery program. They must also pass the American Midwifery Certification Board exam.

Speech-language Pathologists

Median annual wage: $77,510

Projected job growth through 2028: 27% 

What is a Speech-language pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists are trained healthcare professionals that work with the full range of human communication challenges and disorders, treating individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

What do they do?

Speech-language pathologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of speech, sound, language, voice, fluency and swallowing disorders.

What is required to become a Speech-language pathologist?

A master's degree in speech pathology is the minimum education needed to become a speech therapist. Licensing is required in most states.

Registered Nurses

Median annual wage: $71,730

Projected job growth through 2028: 12%

What is a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse is a healthcare professional that provides and coordinates a patient’s care.

What do they do?

A Registered Nurse is responsible for monitoring a patient’s condition, administering medication, assisting physicians and other healthcare professionals, operating and monitoring medical equipment, assisting with diagnostic testing, charting a patient’s progress, and patient education.

What is required to become a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse may take one of three education paths: a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.

Radiation Therapists

Median annual wage: $82,330

Projected job growth through 2028: 9% 

What is a Radiation Therapist?

A radiation therapist works in coordination with radiologists to carryout therapeutic treatment plans for patients. 

What do they do?

Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients under the instruction of oncologists and radiologists. They appropriate the correct doses of radiation to the radiation machine. They monitor their patients, and they detail their treatment.

What is required to become a Radiation Therapist?

Most radiation therapists complete programs that lead to an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Radiation therapists must be licensed or certified in most states, which may include passing a national certification exam.

Genetic Counselor

Median annual wage: $80,370

Projected job growth through 2028: 27%

What is a Genetic Counselor?

Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals that have specialized education in genetics and counselling. They provide personalized counseling and help to patients that need to make decisions about their genetic health.

What do they do?

Genetic couselors act as members of a patient’s healthcare team. They assess a patient’s risk of inherited conditions, interpret genetic testing, provide education, counseling, and support to individuals and their families.

What is required to become a Genetic Counselor?

A Genetic Counselor must have a master’s degree in genetic counseling or genetics, and a certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Dental Hygienists

Median annual wage: $74,820

Projected job growth through 2028: 11%

What is a Dental Hygienist?

Dental Hygienists are oral health professionals who are responsible for preventing and treating oral diseases.

What do they do?

Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, clean teeth, and provide other preventive dental care.

What is required to become a Dental Hygienist?

Dental Hygienists need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed; requirements vary by state.

References

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm

https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-healthcare-jobs

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/10/14-high-paying-healthcare-jobs-you-can-get-without-an-md-or-phd.html

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