Health Professionals

Health ProfessionalsHealth ProfessionalsHealthcare has been a hot industry for a while,and it promises to continue to be one for at least the next several years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts healthcare will add more jobs than any other occupational group- over 2.4 million- between 2016 and 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Healthcare Occupations,Occupational Outlook Handbook). Health professionals represent one segment of the healthcare industry that also includes heath technicians and technologists and healthcare support workers. What tischsets them apart are the more rigorous educational requirements, greater responsibilities, and higher salaries. Here are 14 health professionals Audiologist Audiologists treat and diagnose people who have ear problems including hearing and balance difficulties. To work in this field you will have to earn a Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.). This endeavor takes most students about four years after they g raduate from college. To practice, you willneed to have a license. zentralwertAnnual Salary(2017)$75,920 Number of People Employed (2016) 14,800 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)21 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)3,100 Dentist Dentists diagnose and treat patients problems with their teeth and gums. You will need to attend dental school for four years after you earn your bachelors degree. A state-issued license is required to practice. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$158,120 Number of People Employed (2016) 153,500 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)19 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)29,300 Dietitian or Nutritionist Dietitians and nutritionists plan food and nutrition programs and supervise the preparation and serving of meals. To become a dietitian, you will have to earn a bachelors degree in dietetics, foodsand nutrition, and food service systems management. To become a nutritionist, study nutrition in college or graduate school.Most states license dietitians, but many do not license nutritionists. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$59,410 Number of People Employed (2016) 68,000 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026) 15 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)9,900 Doctor Doctors diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. After graduating college, you will have to spend four years in medical school and then between three and eight years in an internship or residency program.After you complete your education, you have to get licensed. MedianAnnual Salary(2017) at least $208,000 depending on medical specialty Number of People Employed (2016) 713,800 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)11-16 percent depending on medical specialty (as fast as or much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)91,400 Occupational Therapist Occupational therapistsuse exercises and techniques to help patients learn to perform daily living or work-related activities. Becoming an occupational therapistwill require earning a masters degree and then getting a license. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$83,200 Number of People Employed (2016) 130,400 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)24 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)31,000 Optometrist Optometrists provide primary vision care. They examine peoples eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases. If you aspire to be anoptometrist, you should plan toattend optometry school for four years after you graduate from college. You will also need a license. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$110,300 Number of People Employed (2016) 40,200 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)18 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)7,200 Pharmacist Pharmacists dispense medications that doctors and other health practitioners prescribe to their patients.They also pro vide information about those particular drugs and help the patients understand how to use them. To become a pharmacist, you are going to need a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. You can expect to spend between four and six years in pharmacy school depending on whether you have an undergraduate degree when you enter. You will also need alicense. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$124,170 Number of People Employed (2016) 312,500 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)6 percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)17,400 Physical Therapist Physical therapists help patients who have suffered injuries or illnesses by providing services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. Youwill have to earn a doctorate in physical therapyand then pass national and state licensing exams. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$86,850 Number of People Employed (2016) 239,800 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)28 percent (much fast er than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)67,100 Physician Assistant Physician assistants provide primary health care services under physicians supervision. To work in this field, you will have to get a masters degree from an accredited physician assistant training program and then pass a national certifying exam. MedianAnnual Salary(2017) $104,860 Number of People Employed (2016) 106,200 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026) 37percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026) 39,600 Registered Nurse Registered nurses treat patients and provide advice and emotional support to them and their families. If you want to become a registered nurse you can either earn a bachelors of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma in nursing. You must also pass a national licensing exam and fulfill any other licensing requirements set forth by the state in which you plan to work. Med ianAnnual Salary(2017)$70,000 Number of People Employed (2016) 2.9 million Projected Job Growth (2016-2026) 15 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)438,100 Respiratory Therapist Respiratory therapists evaluate patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders and deliver treatments to them. You can earnan associate or bachelors degree in respiratory therapy to qualify for a job in this field. In most states you will also have to pass a national exam. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$59,710 Number of People Employed (2016) 130,200 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)23 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026) 30,500 Speech Pathologist Speech pathologists work with people who have speech-related disorders including the inability to produce certain sounds, speech rhythm and fluency problems, and voice disorders. You will be required to earn a masters degree in speech pathology a nd, in most states, geta licenseif you want to work in this field. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$76,610 Number of People Employed (2016) 145,100 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)18 percent (muchfaster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)25,900 Veterinarian Veterinarians deliver healthcare to pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. You need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from a college of veterinary medicine to work in this occupation, an endeavor that will take an additional four years after earning a bachelors degree. All states require veterinarians to have a license. MedianAnnual Salary(2017)$90,420 Number of People Employed (2016) 79,600 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)19 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Job Openings(2016-2026)15,000 Explore more Careers By Field or Industry Comparing Careers in the Health ProfessionsMinimum EducationLicenseMedian Salary (2017)Audiologist Doctor of AudiologyReq. in all states$75,920Dentist Dental school (4 + years after bachelors)Req. in all states$158,120 (salaried dentists) those in private practice may earn more.Dietitian And NutritionistBachelorsReq. in most states$59,410Doctor Medical school (4 + years after bachelors)Req. in all statesat least $208,000 (varies by medical specialty)Occupational TherapistMastersReq. in all states$83,200OptometristOptometry school (4 years after at least 3 years of undergrad)Req. in all states$110,300Pharmacist Pharmacy school (4 years after at least 2 years of undergrad)Req. in all states$124,170Physical TherapistMastersReq. in all states$86,850Physician AssistantMastersReq. in all states$104,860Registered NurseBachelors, Associate or DiplomaReq. in all states$70,000Respiratory TherapistAssociateReq. in most states$59,710Speech PathologistMastersReq. in most states$76,610VeterinarianVeterinary school usually after collegeReq. in most states$90,420 Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online (visited December 23, 2018).