When thinking about a medical or medical career, it is possible that the first job that appears in your mind is a doctor, surgeon, or dentist. And while all these are great careers, they require a big upfront investment of time and money. Fortunately, there are many healthcare careers with high pay and in demand that do not require a full medical degree. Share these options with high school students considering future careers.
Note: All payroll information is from Endquient.com or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and is up to date as of March 2025.
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Best Medical and Healthcare Career for the Future
These healthcare careers require a bachelor’s or master’s degree, so plan ahead with a decent commitment of time and money. However, if you are eligible, all jobs on this list are growing at a rate that is much faster than the national average, with some expecting a 40% increase in current job openings over the next decade! This means that once today’s teenagers are ready to join the full-time workforce, they can find jobs relatively easily.
CDC via Unsplash
Registered nurse
Nurses are the foundation of the health care system that works in hospitals, clinics, schools, and more. It can be a high pressure job, but it is also one of the most needed and respected things in a healthcare career.
Average Salary: $86,000 Education/Training: Bachelor’s Degrees RonanenrightSolicitors via Pixabay
Occupational Therapist
Recovery from injuries and illnesses can go a long way, but occupational therapists are there to help you relearn how to walk, move, talk, or navigate life after a major health event.
Average Salary: $96,300 Education/Training: Master’s Degree is Engineering via Interpretation
Orthopedic Surgeons and Prosthetics
The world of prosthetic legs and support devices has been a great help over the last few decades. Correctors and prostheticists help people find the best solution to suit their needs and ensure proper fit and function.
Average Salary: $78,100 Education/Training: via Non-Flash
Mental Health Counselor
Whether they work as general mental health counselors or therapists or help people at addiction recovery centres, these health professionals provide important care in a society that is finally beginning to value the importance of mental health.
Average Salary: $53,700 Education/Training: Master’s Degree Stefan_schranz via Pixabay
Nurse Anesthesiology Department
These healthcare workers can use anesthesia to calm down, calm, put the patient down and undergo surgery and other medical procedures. They work in hospitals, clinics, dentist offices, and more, where patients monitor and ensure they wake up safely when the procedure is finished.
Average Salary: $129,400 Education/Training: Master’s Degree Robomichalec via Pixabay
Athletic Trainer
Not all athletic trainers work in professional sports teams, but there is a big market for this type of healthcare. Athletic trainers will handle the emergency and prepare the athlete to recover from injuries and compete again.
Average Salary: $57,930 Education/Training: Master’s Degrees via Non-Flash National Cancer Institute
Genetic counselor
The science of genetics continues to expand, and this has become a very exciting field for the future. Genetic counselors can help you work with patients to identify and understand hereditary diseases and risks, and to make informed decisions about healthcare options.
Average Salary: $95,700 Education/Training: Master’s Degree Diapers with Non-Flash
Nurse Practitioner
Doctors spend years (and hundreds of thousands of dollars) before fully qualified to practice the medication. Nursing practitioners only need a master’s degree and can do many of the same type of patient care that a doctor does. This field (along with similar work as physician assistants) is expected to grow dramatically over the next decade.
Average Salary: $129,400 Education/Training: Master’s Degree Herbert11timtim via Pixabay
Healthcare Manager
As a healthcare administrator, help you manage your physician practices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. It’s your chance to use your organizational and managerial skills while helping others stay healthy.
Average Salary: $110,480 Education/Training: Bachelor’s Degree Irwan by Unsplash
Epidemiologist
These scientists track disease trends to predict, control and understand outbreaks. They spend a lot of time collecting and analyzing data and work with public health agencies to reduce spreading disease.
Average Salary: $81,390 Education/Training: Master’s Degree Getty Images
Linguistic Pathologist
These healthcare professionals work in hospitals and schools to diagnose and treat language, language and throat disorders. (They are sometimes known as “voice therapists.”
Average Salary: $89,290 Education/Training: Master’s Degree
The best healthcare career that doesn’t require a 4 year degree
You don’t need to go to college for years to start a great healthcare career! There are many great options that require only an associate’s degree or a licensed and certified course. This will allow children today to join the workforce that will earn better pay faster without worrying about university debt.
Annie Splatt via onsplash
Physiotherapist
Though it’s not one of the highest paying jobs on this list, physical therapists only spend a few years in post-secondary education to start working with patients. They make a real difference in the lives of many people, helping them heal and regain mobility after injuries and illnesses.
Average Salary: $58,740 Education/Training: Associate Degree Prediction Growth: 19% Accuracy via Pixa Bay
Radiation Engineer
Engineers using equipment such as x-rays, CAT scanners, MRIs, mammography, and other things generally spend their high school years on training courses. However, the return on investment is high, and these are high with strong salaries that make some of the best jobs you can do without a four-year university degree.
Average Salary: $114,000 Education/Training: Associate Degree Jarmoluk via Pixa Bay
Dental hygienist
This is another medical profession that requires a training course that lasts for several years, but also boasts a high pay return in the long term. Hygienists clean teeth, take x-rays and assist the dentist during the procedure.
Average Salary: $106,600 Education/Training: Associate Degree Jakayla Toney by Unsplash
Pharmacy Technician
This isn’t one of the highest paying jobs on the list, but it’s a great way to gain experience in this field if you want to work to be a pharmacist. Many future pharmacists are passing through school in such jobs.
Average Salary: $38,532 Education/Training: Associate
Medical Coder/Viler
The American medical industry is extremely complicated. For doctors and hospitals to receive payments from insurance companies, they must submit their bills correctly using the appropriate code. This job requires someone who pays attention to detail and is quick to enter data.
Average Salary: $60,800 Education/Training: Certification Courses and Exams F. Muhammad via Pixabay
EMT/Emergency Emergency
This is one of the more rewarding jobs on our list and offers a life-saving opportunity! These emergency medical workers answer calls, assist patients on-site and transport them to hospitals when necessary.
Average Salary: $49,100 Education/Training: via License Course and Pixa Bay
Massage therapist
Massage therapy is a respected part of the healthcare industry and improves the quality of life for many people. Therapists take training courses to learn the best ways to manipulate muscles and soft tissues, relieve pain and increase circulation.
Average Salary: $58,800 Education/Training: Interpretated by License Courses and Exams ELEN SHER
Ultrasonic Technician
Also known as sonograms, this ultrasound allows you to see inside tissues and organs in a non-invasive way. Ultrasound technology performs these scans and collaborates with pregnant women and various other medical needs.
Average Salary: $80,850 Education/Training: Ascoption Degree National Cancer Institute
Health Information Technology Engineer
You can also hear this job called “medical record experts,” and that’s exactly what these medical professionals do. They manage information about patients, doctors, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities, keeping records safe, secure and up to date.
Average Salary: $63,000 Education/Training: Associate Degree
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