There are many good reasons to consider getting into health care. The highest-paying medical jobs will not only set up your bank account, they'll also set up your entire career path. That's because employment in the sector is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years. Sure, you’ll need some specialized education (hello, med school) to land many of these jobs, but between the high pay and job security, any one of these positions would be well worth the investment.
Health care jobs are expected to grow 16% over the next 10 years—that comes out to 2.6 million new jobs—which is much faster than the average for all occupations, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. In fact, in 2018, health care was the largest source of jobs in the U.S. for the first time in history.
Salary will largely be dictated by your specialty, years of experience, and geography. For example, a surgeon salary in Charlotte, North Carolina, is 2% higher than the national average; a dentist salary in Rochester, New York, is 10% higher than the national average; and a physical therapist salary in Dallas is 5% higher than the national average.
Check out the highest-paying medical jobs below, according to BLS data, to see if a career in health care is for you.
1. Physicians and surgeons
What you’d do: Physicians and surgeons are the highest-earning professionals in the health care world. Physicians diagnose and treat patients as well as take medical histories and prescribe medication. Surgeons are also responsible for treating patients, but focus more on operating to repair ailments such as broken bones or cancerous tumors.
What you’d need: Doctoral or professional degree
What you’d make: The median annual physician salary is $164,065.
Find all physician jobs on Monster.
2. Dentists
What you’d do: Dentists treat patients’ teeth and gums as well as provide preventative help on maintaining good oral health. You might not realize that dentists are among the top earners as far as medical field jobs go, so let this serve as a reminder.
What you’d need: You must first get a bachelor’s degree, then go to a dental school (four years) and pass a licensing exam.
What you’d make: $159,200 per year
Find all dentist jobs on Monster.
3. Pharmacists
What you’d do: Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer advice about safely administering medicine without causing adverse reactions.
What you’d need: Doctoral or professional degree. Check out this sample resume for a pharmacist.
What you’d make: $128,090 per year
Find all pharmacist jobs on Monster.
4. Podiatrists
What you’d do: Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for foot, ankle, and lower leg problems.
What you’d need: Doctoral or professional degree
What you’d make: $126,240 per year
Find all podiatrist jobs on Monster.
5. Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners
What you’d do: Nurse anesthetists provide anesthesia and medical care during and after surgeries. Nurse midwives provide family planning services and prenatal care to women. Nurse practitioners serve as primary care providers and help integrate health promotion strategies into their patients’ lives.
What you’d need: Master’s degree. Check out these sample nurse resumes.
What you’d make: $115,800 per year
Find all nurse jobs on Monster.
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6. Optometrists
What you’d do: Optometrists examine and treat visual problems and manage any diseases or injuries to the eyes.
What you’d need: Doctoral or professional degree
What you’d make: $115,250 per year
Find all optometrist jobs on Monster.
7. Physician assistants
What you’d do: Physician assistants include examining, diagnosing, and treating patients with help from teams of physicians and surgeons.
What you’d need: Master’s degree
What you’d make: $112,260 per year
Find all physician assistant jobs on Monster.
8. Veterinarians
What you’d do: One of the highest-paying medical jobs out there has nothing to do with human biology. Vets care for the health of animals by diagnosing, treating, and researching medical conditions of pets, livestock, and other animals.
What you’d need: Doctoral or professional degree
What you’d make: $95,460
Find all veterinarian jobs on Monster.
9. Physical therapists
What you’d do: Physical therapists help injured patients improve their mobility and manage their pain through exercise and non-invasive procedures.
What you’d need: Doctoral or professional degree. Check out this sample resume for a physical therapist.
What you’d make: $89,440 per year
Find all physical therapist jobs on Monster.
10. Radiation therapists
What you’d do: Radiation therapists care for cancer patients and administer radiation treatments.
What you’d need: An associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy is common. Radiation therapists must have a license or certificate to practice in most states.
What you’d make: $85,560 per year
Find all radiation therapist jobs on Monster.
Find all healthcare jobs on Monster.
How to Get Hired in Healthcare
If a career in medicine is where you're headed, you're poised to have a pretty bright (and lucrative) future. Could you use some help navigating the job search? Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can get job alerts sent right to your inbox. Additionally, you can upload your resume. Recruiters search Monster every day, looking to fill top healthcare jobs with qualified candidates, just like you. As healthcare surges ahead, be sure you go along for the ride.
