The healthcare industry is valued at more than $8.45 trillion and is only getting bigger, so the demand is only growing for allied health and medical assistant careers. More people are considering them because of the great job and salary opportunities they offer.
If you’re interested in being a member of the medical industry, you better hurry, especially if you wish to go into allied health.
Read on to learn about some of the most compelling allied health professionals and their jobs.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists, also known as PTs, help patients restore movement and mobility with exercises and other therapy. They often work in hospitals, rehab facilities, and outpatient clinics.
While the exact salary for a physical therapist depends on where they work, the American Physical Therapy Association survey showed the average physical therapist earns nearly $79 thousand a year.
Speech Pathologist
If you’re good with words, speech pathology is a great career path to take. Speech pathologists help patients who have issues with their speech or language improve their ability.
They also help diagnose and treat swallowing disorders, vocal cord problems, and stuttering. Speech pathologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools, among other places. The average salary for a speech pathologist is $72 thousand annually.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists, also known as OTs, help people with injuries or illnesses regain the use of their hands and arms. OTs work with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools to help them improve their daily living skills or gain proficiency in a particular task.
OTs are in high demand since the job has grown by 8.5 percent since 2008. They also earn an average salary of $74 thousand.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists help patients get the correct dose and strength of the medicine they need by advising on its use. They are in higher demand than ever since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says there will be a shortage of more than 86 thousand pharmacists by 2020.
Pharmacists earn an average salary of $116 thousand.
Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists, also known as RTs, use radiation to treat cancer or other health conditions. RTs work with patients in hospitals and outpatient facilities and get paid an average salary of $76 thousand.
Surgical Technologist
Surgical techs are in high demand since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a 30 percent increase in the need for them by 2026. Surgical techs help surgeons perform procedures and make between $35 thousand and $52 thousand, depending on where they work.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists work with patients to keep their teeth healthy and clean. They clean teeth and aid people in developing better brushing habits to prevent cavities and other problems.
They are also trained to take X-rays and use fluorine products to prevent tooth decay. Dental hygienists make between $69 thousand and $72 thousand a year.
Massage Therapist
Massage therapists help relieve muscle pain and tension while promoting relaxation and general wellness. They can make between $33 thousand and $60 thousand annually, depending on their experience and location.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers, also known as scan techs, use sound waves to read vital signs and assess internal organs. They work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient facilities and earn an average salary of $69 thousand.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in one of these allied health careers, you’ll want to start now. Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries, and allied health professionals are highly demanded. Even if you only have a few months of training under your belt, you can still get a job in one of the fastest-growing industries.
Are you planning to become a medical assistant in Schaumburg? Enroll in Northwest Suburban College. We provide comprehensive healthcare career training in the allied health field. Call today for information about our programs.
