Five Lucrative Career Options in Healthcare

June 18, 2020November 15, 2023 Henry Kingston

Healthcare is one of the most lucrative industries to enjoy financial security, stability, and growth. Many professionals seek to enter the realm of healthcare for a rewarding career of helping people and saving lives. Others seek professional stability and financial freedom, as the healthcare industry is brimming with well-paying work opportunities.

It is an industry that has witnessed immense growth and innovation, and it continues to grow and expand. You can pursue a medical degree, or enter the industry, even a non-medical degree and expertise. It is important to note that healthcare work opportunities are not limited to medical professionals and healthcare experts.

You can become a technician surgeon who is responsible for readying the operating room before a surgical procedure. Professionals are also required to prepare patients for surgical procedures and assist doctors by handing them surgical tools and assistance. Surgical technicians earn an average of $50,000 annually, but they have to work in high-stress environments.

If you’d rather stay away from the operating room, you can explore other healthcare employment opportunities. For instance, you can pursue healthcare administrative job opportunities. These typically involve managing the organizational and business aspects of healthcare facilities. As opposed to dealing with patients, you will be creating policies, systems and procedures to ensure efficiency and corporate management.

You can even pursue a Master’s in healthcare informatics online and work in healthcare database management, biostatistics, and management roles. The opportunities are endless, and in this article, we will introduce you to 5 highest-paying careers in the healthcare industry.

Here, take a look:

SURGEONS & PHYSICIANS

Surgeons and physicians are the two most lucrative career paths in the healthcare industry. These professionals are high earners, and their precise earnings depend on their specializations and clientele. Surgeons tend to earn significantly more than physicians due to their expertise and ability to perform life-saving procedures. Neurosurgeons are the highest earners, banking more than a million dollars a year.

Plastic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons are also high achievers. Physicians also take home a six-figure income each year. It is also important to note that these high-earners make significant investments of time and money into their schooling. After completing college, they are required to complete four-year medical programs, followed by 3-7 years of residency training. The exact duration of their training depends on their chosen healthcare specialty.

Many specialists decide to undertake fellowships for additional training once they complete their residencies. It is primarily why surgeons and physicians enter their careers with thousands of dollars’ worth of student loans and debt. If you can make in the time and money investment, this is by far the most lucrative career path. It comes with a wide array of financial and intrinsic rewards, alongside a prestigious community presence.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

Another immensely lucrative and well-paying career path, physician assistants work in hospitals and healthcare facilities. They are responsible for treating patients, although their job responsibilities tend to vary based on state and federal guidelines. In most countries, physician assistants can work independently, treat patients, and prescribe certain medications.

However, in most jurisdictions, physician assistants require guidelines and approvals from physicians for their prescriptions and treatments. Physician assistants are capable of treating patients without the direct engagement of a senior physician. They need a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from an acclaimed physician assistant program.

On average, primary care physician assistants bank a salary of $85,000 a year. Surgical physician assistants bank a salary of almost $100,000 annually.

DENTAL HYGIENIST

The dental industry is brimming with profitable and rewarding career opportunities. It is ideal for those who do not want to work at hospitals but seek to be a part of the healthcare apparatus. The most excellent catch is the fact that you only have to spend around two years in dental school. And you can bank a yearly income of approximately $75,000.

The responsibilities of a dental hygienist depend on the specialization and the work responsibilities of your chosen facility. In most dental clinics, dental hygienists are focused on education. They are responsible for teaching patients the best brushing, flossing, and dental care practices.

They can also conduct x-rays, teeth polishing sessions, cleaning sessions, and more. In a busy dental practice, you can enjoy other responsibilities and job roles. The primary focus is to assist the dentist as his/her right-hand assistant.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Chief Executive Officers of healthcare facilities and hospitals are non-medical, high-earning professionals. They tend to earn much more than individual physicians and surgeons, as they are responsible for the operational management. Running an entire hospital or facility is an immense responsibility. It requires high-performance skills, a sharp business acumen, and a highly qualified executive who is capable of managing stress and pressure.

The CEO is responsible for the entire facility, its employees, budgeting, administrative responsibilities, and every single patient. The CEO is answerable to the board of trustees, patients, governmental organizations, media, and other stakeholders.

The yearly income of a CEO tends to vary based on the scale of the healthcare facility. Typically, CEOs make a six to seven-figure annual salary, with hefty commissions, benefits, and bonuses. They take home a multi-million dollar yearly income, alongside many rewards and benefits. To become a CEO, you must begin your career as an administrator and accumulate experience.

PHARMACIST

Pharmacists enjoy an average yearly income of over $110,000, and even more, depending on their practices and experience. It is a lucrative healthcare profession that comes with lesser stress and greater financial security. It requires a doctoral-level degree, a PharmD, to qualify as a pharmacist. These professionals can run their clinics and drug stores and even work in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

CONCLUSION

Each high-paying healthcare career path comes with its own set of pros and cons. Naturally, a high-paying job requires a more significant investment of both time and money. The more you are willing to invest in your education and specialization, the more you can earn in the healthcare industry.