An article from Ohio based contributor Lizzie Weakley.
The medical field is one of the most lucrative career areas. Medical personnel are needed in every city and town in the country. The great thing about the medical field is that there are so many different areas of medicine to specialize in. Some of them are better than others as far as what they pay. Here are a few of the best medical careers to help you earn a living:
1. Certified Nurse Midwife
Midwives are not a thing of the past. There are still plenty of certified health professionals whose main job is caring for mothers during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and post-partum. Nurse midwives must have a bachelor degree in nursing and a master’s as a nurse midwife. According to the bureau of labor statistics, they make around $98,000 a year.
2. Phlebotomist
This is a great career for those interested in health, but for whom traditional college is not the best fit. Phlebotomists draw blood from patients during for lab work, transfusions, and blood donations. They will usually work in medical facilities and sometimes in mobile blood labs. Phlebotomy requires a post-secondary certification. Can you make a living as a phlebotomist? The BLS reports that phlebotomists earn almost $15.00 an hour.
3. Psychologist
Psychologists are doctors with Ph.D.’s who will counsel individuals in clinical situations. To be a psychologist, you must earn a doctorate in either clinical or counseling psychology. You must first possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to apply to a doctoral program. Psychologists can work in medical offices, hospitals, and even private practice. The BLS states that psychologists make over $70,000 a year.
4. Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapy is one of the fastest growing fields in medicine right now. This type of therapist works with patients who have breathing problems. It is one of the highest paying careers that only requires an associate’s degree. The median pay for respiratory therapists is $57,000 a year.
5. Biomedical Engineer
While not traditionally thought of as a medical career, this type of engineer works directly with the healthcare system to design solutions for medicine. They often work in laboratories or research facilities in hospitals or universities. You need a bachelor degree in biomedical engineering to obtain work as this type of engineer. The BLS states that they make around $86,000 per year.
6. Pharmacy Technician
While pharmacy technicians are not as well paid as some of the careers on this list, they also generally have much less debt. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists to dispense medications to customers or to physicians. A certification only requires a post-secondary diploma. They make around $14.00 an hour.
7. Medical Sonographer
Sonographers work directly with patients to do tests that allow them to see what’s going on inside the body. This job is most often associated with viewing babies still in the mother’s womb, but they can also take images of different body parts as well. The job requires an associate’s degree, and they earn around $60,000 a year.
8. Massage Therapist
While not generally associated with the medical field, massage therapy is a healing technique. These individuals use their hands to manipulate muscle tissue in order to relieve pain, rehabilitate muscle injuries, and aid in relaxation. Massage therapists require a post-secondary certificate and state licensure. They make almost $36,000 a year.
9. Healthcare Administrator
These are the people who work behind the scenes in healthcare facilities to make sure that people are getting the care they need. These people are responsible for staffing, equipment, and the overall organization of the facility. Most healthcare administrators have a master’s degree and earn $88,000 a year.
10. Health Information Technicians
These individuals are those that manage medical records, file insurance, and bill patients. Employers require a post-secondary diploma in health information technology and often prefer an associates. The BLS reports the median pay at $16.00 an hour.
There are many positions in the healthcare industry that can pay the bills comfortably. No matter what your personality or what you desire from your job, there is a medical career for you.
My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.
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About the Author
Esme Smith
Esme received her M.A. In Counseling from St. Edward's University, and worked with students at Concordia University Texas' Career Center. She developed a passion for Career Counseling after leaving undergrad without much guidance, and grappling with unsatisfying work. She strives to help others bridge the gap between graduation and "the real world."
