Healthcare Salaries: What Can You Earn in Medicine?

Healthcare salaries are some of the most competitive out there. If you're considering a career in healthcare and medicine, you may be wondering just how much you can earn at different healthcare jobs. This article explores a number of different healthcare salaries and what it may take to land you that job after high school or college! 

Statistics of Healthcare Salaries

Once a year, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes job trend data across a number of various industries. This data includes information the minimum level of education required for certain jobs,  the annual median earnings for workers in that field, as well as job growth more generally. 

If you’re looking forward to a career in healthcare, there’s exciting news. According to the latest Labor Statistics report, jobs in medicine and other healthcare related fields are expected to grow 16% between 2020 to 2030. This is the fastest growing rate of any industry that the Bureau keeps track of. 

This increase is due to a number of factors, a primary one being that world populations will continue to age on average over the next ten years. This will cause a notable spike in demand for healthcare positions of all kinds, including those that offer end-of-life and other palliative care. 

That being said, the salary of healthcare workers varies dramatically. For registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists (what the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls healthcare practitioners and technicians) the median annual salary in 2020 was $69,870. This is significantly higher than the overall median wage in the U.S., which comes in at $41,950. 

However, for home health aides, occupational therapy assistants, and medical transcriptionists (occupations that the Bureau calls healthcare support), the median annual salary in 2020 was $29,960, much lower than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy.

Take a look at the selected jobs below, and see what you could earn in healthcare! 

This article was originally published in the 2022 TeenLife Guide to Your Future in Healthcare. For more information about healthcare salaries, medical school and more, download this digital guide for free now!

Healthcare Salaries: What Can You Earn?

Athletic Trainers

• Job Description: Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
• Entry Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $49,860

Chiropractors

• Job Description: Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons
• Entry Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $70,720

Dental Hygienists

• Job Description: Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene
• Entry Level Education: Associate's Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $77,090

Dentists

• Job Description: Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth
• Entry Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $164,010

Dieticians and Nutritionists

• Job Description: Dietitians and nutritionists plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.
• Entry Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $63,090

EMTs and Paramedics

• Job Description: DraEmergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities
• Entry Level Education: Postsecondary Nondegree Award
• Median 2020 Pay: $36,650

Occupational Therapist

• Job Description: Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities
• Entry Level Education: Master’s Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $86,280

Pharmacists

• Job Description: Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions
• Entry Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $128,710

Radiation Therapists

• Job Description: Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments
• Entry Level Education: Associate's Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $86,850

Registered Nurses

• Job Description: Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions
• Entry Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $75,330

Surgeons and Physicians 

• Job Description: Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance. 
• Entry Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $208,000 +

Veterinarians 

• Job Description: Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health
• Entry Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
• Median 2020 Pay: $99,250

Download the 2022 TeenLife Guide to Your Future in Healthcare today!