Best paid non-physician jobs in The Healthcare Industry
The healthcare sector is rapidly changing and as the world moves from the curative era to a preventive and health promotion era, non-physicians are increasing playing a very significant role in healthcare industry, and filling some of the highest paid jobs in the industry. With the steady rise in the need for health promotion experts, healthcare managers and executives, higher salaries are being paid to these non-physicians in the health sector. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, projects that employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster and higher than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.3 million new jobs.
Who are the Non-physicians in the healthcare industry?
The non-physicians in the healthcare industry refers to experts such as healthcare managers and executives that do not provide direct patient care, they are very important for the smooth and effective running of the healthcare industry. These types of jobs in the medical field is increasingly gaining prominence and are among the highest paying jobs in the medical field.
Best paid non physician jobs in healthcare #1 – Nurse Anesthetist
The practice of anesthesia is a sub specialty within the nursing profession, and forms a critical component of the healthcare workforce. The job description of a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) includes administration of anesthesia during surgery or medical procedures for all types of surgical cases, from the simplest to the most complicated cases. In the United States, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Median Salary: The median annual salary for a Certified Nurse Anesthetist in the United States is $174,876.
Predicted Rise in Employment: Predicted employment rise for Certified Nurse Anesthetist According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is 31% between 2012 and 2020.
Required Education: Minimum of Master’s Degree or equivalent.
Additional Information: Certified Nurse Anesthetist in the United States are expected to have graduate-level education and board certification in anesthesia. Nurse Anesthetists work in a wide range of healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing care facilities, schools, physicians’ offices, and clinics.
Best paid non physician jobs in healthcare # 2 – Pharmacist
Pharmacists, also known as chemists or druggists are healthcare professionals who practice in the pharmacy. They dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe and effective use of these prescriptions. The provision of health promotion services such as information to patients on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, immunizations, how to conduct health and wellness screenings and overseeing the medications given to patients, amongst many others, is the job description of a pharmacist.
Median Salary: The median annual pharmacist salary in the United States is $125,915, with a range usually between $118,425 -$134,456.
Predicted rise in employment: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of pharmacists is projected to grow to 14 percent from 2012 to 2022, while total employment is projected to grow from 293,000 to 302,000 jobs.
Required Education: Minimum of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or its equivalent.
Additional Information:
In addition to the minimum qualifications, Pharmacists must also possess a practice license in order to gain any employment in the healthcare sector.
Best paid non physician jobs in healthcare #3 – Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers, also referred to as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, are involved in the planning, and coordination of medical and health services. The job description of Medical and health services managers might sometimes include the management of an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. As important members of the healthcare team, medical and health services managers must also be able to become accustomed to the dynamic and rapid changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and technology.
Median Salary: The median annual salary of a Health Services Manager in the United States is $108,227, with a range usually between $96, 590-$122,065.
Predicted rise in employment: According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services management jobs were expected to grow at a rate of 23%. This is faster-than-average rate of 17% from 2014-2024. This drastic rise has been attributed in part to the aging U.S. population.
Required Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent .
Additional Information:
Most medical and health services managers hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree before entering the field. Possessing a Master’s degree, Professional certifications or Doctoral degrees is an additional advantage in this field.
Best paid non physician jobs in healthcare #4 – Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants, also known as physician associates or PA. They are medical practitioners who operate as part of a medical team, often concerned with preventing and treating human illness and injury by providing a plethora of health care services under the supervision of physicians and/or surgeons. The term ‘Physician associate’ originated in the United States in the 1960s and practitioners often receive graduate training to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, and provide treatment.
Median Salary: The median annual Physician Assistant in the United States is $101,193.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of physician assistants is expected to grow by 38 percent from 2012 to 2022.
Required Education: Minimum of Master’s Degree or its equivalent .
Additional Information:
In addition to basic educational qualifications, all physician assistants are expected to complete an accredited educational program. All states require physician assistants to be appropriately licensed.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare #5– Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs) works with injured, sick, or disabled clients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied life. The job description of an occupational therapist includes helping patients to recover, develop, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. These skills include simple tasks such as eating, grooming and normal day-to-day functional skills that has become complicated due to sickness, injury or disability.
Median Salary: The median annual Occupational Therapist salary in the United States is $83,425, with a range usually between $76,417-$90,895.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow by 29 percent from 2012 to 2022.
Required Education: Master’s Degree.
Additional Information:
They typically require a master’s degree and occupational therapist certification. Certification and/or licensing in the position’s specialty is the main requirement.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare #6 Physical Therapist
Physical therapists otherwise known as (PTs), are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions. Because physical therapist form an integral part of the rehabilitation process the demand for their services by patients, clients and physicians has continued to rise steadily over the years and remains one of the top medical careers in demand.
Median Salary: The median annual salary of a Physical Therapist in the United States is $82,246, with a range usually between $75,761 and $89,247.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of physical therapists is projected to grow by 36 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much higher than the average for all occupations.
Required Education: Minimum of professional degree or doctoral degree.
Additional Information:
The need for physical therapy services will come principally from the aging baby boom generation, who continue to stay active later in life. Physical therapists will also be needed to attend to individuals with mobility related issues arising from common chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 7 Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists works in coordination with radiologists to implement therapeutic treatment plans for patients requiring radiation therapy. The job description of a radiation therapist involves the location of tumors, measurement of the amount of radiation and administration of radiation therapy to patients under the instruction of an oncologists and radiologists.
Median Salary: The median annual radiation therapist salary in the United States is $79,383, with a range usually between $71,745 and $88,690.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of radiation therapists is expected to rise by 24 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is considered much higher than the average growth for all occupations.
Required Education: Minimum of Associate’s Degree
Additional Information: Typically requires graduation from an accredited radiation therapy program. Licensing of radiation therapist is carried out by the State Department of Health Services.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 8 – Speech Pathologist
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) also known as speech therapists study, diagnose, assess and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. The job description of Speech-language pathologists includes helping clients with disorders, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, or emotional problems.
Median Salary: The median annual Speech and Language Pathologist salary in the United States is $77,112, with a range usually between $70,727-$83,902.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of Speech-Language Pathologists is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2012 to 2022 (predicted 23% rise between 2012 and 2020).
Required Education: Minimum of Master’s Degree in speech-language pathology.
Additional Information: May require a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 9 Orthotic and Prosthetics Professionals
Orthotists and prosthetists, are also referred to as O professionals. They design medical supportive devices such as artificial limbs (arms, hands, legs, and feet), braces, and other medical or surgical devices and measure and ensure patients fits into them comfortably. Orthotic and Prosthetics careers are among jobs in the medical field that pay well.
Median Salary: The median annual Prosthetist/Orthotist salary in the United States is $75,438, with a range usually between $62,505-$88,520.
Predicted Rise in Employment: Predicted employment rise according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is by 36% between 2012 and 2020.
Required Education: Minimum of Master’s Degree
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 10 Nuclear Medicine Technician
Nuclear Medicine Technologists are highly specialized health care professionals who use a technologically advanced scanner to generate images of various areas of a patient’s body, looking at how the body functions in order to help in diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions and diseases. The job description of a Nuclear Medicine Technologists also involves the preparation and administration of radioactive drugs to patients undergoing the scans to improve imaging.
Median Salary: The median annual Nuclear Medicine Technician salary in the United States is $74,539, with a range usually between $67,436-$82,136.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of nuclear medicine technicians is expected to rise by 20% between 2012 and 2020.
Required Education: Minimum of Associate’s Degree
Additional Information:
Nuclear medicine technicians need good communication skills because of the need to explain procedures and comfort anxious patients. They must hold a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in nuclear medicine technology and licensure in some states.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 11 Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
The job description of an Occupational Health and Safety Technicians involves collecting data on the safety and health conditions of various workplaces. They conduct tests to evaluate risk and measure the level of hazards in the workplace. This help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment, and the general public.
Median Salary: The median annual Safety Specialist salary in the United States is $74,268, with a range of usually between $60,071-$86,809.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment in the field of Occupational Health and Safety Technology is expected to grow by 11 % from 2012 to 2022
Required Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree
Additional Information: Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 12– Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist provides preventative oral care under the supervision of a dentist’s supervision. He or she is responsible for cleaning patient’s teeth, examining patients for signs of oral diseases or decay such as gingivitis and teach them how to improve and maintain good oral health.
Median Salary: The median annual Dental Hygienist salary in the United States is $70,556, with a range of usually between $60,565 and $80,313, $70,210.
Predicted Rise in Employment: Employment of dental hygienist is projected to rise by 33% between 2012 and 2020.
Required Education: Minimum of Associate’s Degree.
Additional Information:
The minimum requirements for all Dental hygienists is an Associate’s Degree in dental hygiene. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare #13 Bio Medical Engineer
Biomedical engineering involves the application of the principles, techniques and mechanisms in engineering to medicine and biology. This is manifest in the current widespread use of implantable medical devices for diagnosis, analysis, treatment and other activities targeted towards the improvement of the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
Median Salary: The median annual salary of a Biomedical Engineer in the United States is $62,998.
Predicted Rise in Employment: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of biomedical engineers is expected to grow by 27 percent from 2012 to 2022.
Required Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent.
Additional Information:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of biomedical engineers is expected to grow by 27 percent from 2012 to 2022. This growth is driven by the aging US population and the increasing appetite of the population, and also by advanced medical care made possible by advances in biomedical engineering.
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 14 – Insurance Underwriter
Insurance underwriters are individuals charged with the responsibility of deciding whether or not to provide insurance to individuals and under what terms, conditions and circumstances. The job description of insurance underwriters includes; the evaluation of insurance applications, and determination of coverage amounts and premiums.
Median Salary: The median annual Insurance Underwriter salary for entry level in the United States is $51,176, with a range usually between $46,780-$56,962.
Predicted Rise in Employment: Computer technology is fueling a decline in this field. Currently seeing a declining trend of -6%
Required Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree
Additional Information: Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience
Best paid non physician jobs in Healthcare # 14 Orthotic and Prosthetics Professionals
Orthotists and prosthetists, are also referred to as O professionals. They design medical supportive devices such as artificial limbs (arms, hands, legs, and feet), braces, and other medical or surgical devices and measure and ensure patients fits into them comfortably.
Median Salary: The median annual Prosthetist/Orthotist salary in the United States is $75,438, with a range usually between $62,505-$88,520,
Predicted Rise in Employment: Predicted 36% rise between 2012 and 2020.
Required Education: Minimum of Master’s Degree.
