Whatever else one may say about the United States, we spend a great deal of money on healthcare – by far the most per capita in the world. Whatever other iniquities this may contribute to, it means that there are plenty of healthcare career options for young people in their 20s.
Below are ten of the top options for careers in the ever-growing (if not always for the right reasons) healthcare field.
Top 10 Healthcare Career Options
10. Home Health Aide
As baby boomers age, there will be a growing need for people to take care of them. Home health aide positions are growing by 27%, as the over a million people currently working in this job just aren’t enough to handle demand.
9. Physical Therapist
This job is perfect for people who love anatomy and medicine, but just can’t imagine being doctors. Physical therapists are busy people – most of them have at least two jobs! But if you love what you do, it hardly seems like work.
8. Medical Records Technician
As medical records get digitized, and as patients get better informed and demand more access to their health information, medical records technicians are needed to digitize, secure, and transfer patient information.
7. Nurse Anesthetist
This is the gig to get, if you can score one. The market has a very low 1.3% unemployment rate, and you earn over $150K. So if you can become an RN, get a master’s, and hold on for one additional year, you’re well on your way to a satisfying and well-paid career.
6. Physician Assistant
If career satisfaction is of primary importance to you, this is the job to go for. A recent study showed that a whopping 96% of people with this gig would recommend it to others. Use sites that let you discover physician jobs.
5. Dentist
Another one of the top healthcare career options is becoming a dentist. The job has what one article euphemistically calls “agreeable work-life balance” (read: plenty of time for golf). The money is big, too – a median salary right around $150K. Just remember to floss – after all, nobody trusts a dentist with bad teeth.
4. Orthodontist
So you like teeth, but you like money more. Consider becoming an orthodontist. It’s similar to dentistry, but specialized – and with a $30K pay bump.
3. Nurse Practitioner
The growth rate for jobs as a nurse is going to be five times the rate for other professions. If you end up being good at your job, you’ll get paid handsomely – the top quarter of nurses earn over $100K.
2. Psychiatrist
Admit it – we’re all a little crazy, right? More and more people are not only admitting it, but seeking help. This means that psychiatry is on an upswing, with jobs expected to grow by 15 percent over the next decade.
1. Veterinary Technologist/Technician
C’mon, who doesn’t love animals? If you have a special bond with four-legged creatures (and like jobs with low unemployment rates), this is likely your dream career. While the hourly wage may not be as high as some of the other jobs on this list, your career satisfaction undoubtedly will be.
