Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by
Are you looking to make a career change? Healthcare professions are an excellent option for those seeking a fresh opportunity with satisfying rewards. Working in health care allows you access to unique opportunities that aren’t available in other industries.
This blog post discusses the advantages of pursuing healthcare as a profession and Is healthcare a good career path Read on to learn more!
Is Healthcare A Good Career Path?
The healthcare industry is an exciting and rewarding career path. With a wide range of roles available, such as doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, HIT specialists, medical records clerks, and billing professionals, there are plenty of options for those looking to pursue a meaningful job in the field.
Working in healthcare can be incredibly fulfilling; helping people improve their quality of life is a highly satisfying experience. In addition to the emotional rewards, healthcare workers can expect financial benefits and higher salaries for those in high-level positions.
Nurses may even have access to additional perks, such as tuition reimbursement or relocation assistance.
Highest-Paid Healthcare Careers
The healthcare industry is one of the most profitable industries in the world, with some of its highest-paid jobs offering salaries that can reach six figures. Healthcare professionals are highly valued for their knowledge and skills, as they play a critical role in helping people maintain or improve their health and well-being.
From diagnosing illnesses to providing treatments and therapies, these professionals provide vital services to keep our society healthy.
Here is a list of the top 9 best-paying healthcare careers that offer lucrative salaries and job satisfaction.
Surgeon
Average annual salary: $471,279
Surgeons are highly skilled medical professionals responsible for performing surgeries on patients. They specialize in operating on particular parts of the body, such as the brain and cardiovascular system, and may even perform operations such as organ transplants.
Surgeons must have extensive medical knowledge, surgical skills, and emotional stability to ensure successful outcomes for their patients.
Anesthesiologist
Average annual salary: $404,673
Anesthesiologists specialize in administering medications that help numb a patient’s pain during surgery or other medical procedures. Anesthesiologists must be trained in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to administer anesthesia to patients safely.
Psychiatrist
Average annual salary: $244,375
Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing mental disorders and providing treatment plans for individuals struggling with mental health issues. In addition to understanding mental health disorders, psychiatrists need excellent communication skills to interact effectively with their clients during counseling sessions.
Physician
Average annual salary: $183,429
Physicians are responsible for diagnosing illnesses or injuries and providing treatments to help patients recover. Physicians may specialize in one field, such as cardiology or endocrinology; however, all physicians must understand medicine across multiple disciplines to accurately diagnose and treat complex conditions.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
Average annual salary: $344,960
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in treating illnesses or injuries related to the jaw, mouth, teeth, face, and neck area. These surgeons typically perform corrective surgeries on head and neck structures, such as cleft lips or teeth extractions; however, they may also provide treatments for trauma victims if needed.
Orthodontist
Average annual salary: $304,896
Orthodontists are dental specialists who use braces or other appliances like retainers to help straighten crooked teeth or correct misalignment issues within the jawbone structure. Orthodontists must have extensive knowledge of dentistry and expertise in manipulating bone structure so that alignment issues can be corrected successfully over time without causing any further damage to the patient’s mouth or facial features.
Gynecologist and obstetrician
Average annual salary: $306,301
Gynecologists and obstetricians are specialized doctors who focus specifically on women’s reproductive health needs, including pregnancy care, fertility testing/treatment, annual checkups, etc.
These physicians must understand human anatomy/physiology and familiarity with women-specific diseases like cervical cancer, so they can accurately diagnose/treat various female medical concerns accordingly throughout pregnancy/childbirth, etc.
Nurse anesthetist
Average annual salary: $195,610
Nurse anesthetists provide specialized care for patients undergoing anesthesia before surgery. They monitor vital signs, check blood pressure levels, administer drugs intravenously/intramuscularly before surgery begins & adjust medications if needed.
Nurse anesthetists need high levels of education & experience in both aspects – nursing & anesthesia administration – combined.
Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $120,680
Nurse practitioners provide preventative healthcare services such as physical exams & immunizations, diagnosis & treatment of chronic diseases, ordering tests & consulting with specialists. They play a pivotal role in managing various health concerns, meaning nurse practitioners require significant training in both clinical settings and theoretical learning, focusing mostly on health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
Companies Recruiting in Healthcare
The healthcare industry is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world. It is constantly seeking talented individuals to fill positions ranging from physicians and nurses to medical technicians, pharmacists, and other health professionals.
With advancements in technology and increasing demand for quality care, employers are looking for highly-skilled workers who can help provide better patient outcomes while maintaining cost efficiency. As such, there has been a surge in job recruitment within the healthcare sector, with many companies offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages.
Here’s a list of 8 frequently recruiting companies in the healthcare sector:
- UnitedHealth Group
- Ascension Health
- Kaiser Permanente
- Mayo Clinic
- HCA Healthcare
- CVS Health Corporation
- Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.
- McKesson Corporation
Healthcare Career Salaries by Experience and Location
The base salary for healthcare jobs largely depends on the individual’s location and experience. For instance, a nurse practitioner in California may have an annual salary of $135,000, while one working in New York may make $145,000. Similarly, an experienced orthodontist based in Texas could make upwards of $320,000 per year, while an entry-level orthodontist in Oregon may see salaries closer to $180,000.
Furthermore, many health organizations offer salary increases for specializations or certifications, which can increase base pay substantially.
For example, an entry-level Nurse anesthetist in New York who has just completed a certification program might find themselves making over $208,000 annually. In contrast, someone who opts to work at a smaller medical facility makes only $165,500 per year.
Here’s a brief breakdown of healthcare salaries based on experience and location:
- Hawaii: $264,300
- New York: $304,000
- Arizona: $277,800
- Massachusetts: $285,400
- New Jersey: $299,200
Can You Make Good Money In Healthcare
Yes. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly salary for healthcare workers was $63,420 in 2018, higher than the median salary for all occupations combined at $38,640 per year.
Many healthcare jobs offer additional benefits like health insurance, vacation time, and retirement plans. These benefits can increase the overall value of the job.
Healthcare workers in the 25th percentile of annual salary earn about $42,610 per year. The 75th percentile earns an average annual salary of $88,800. Salaries for healthcare jobs vary by type and location but those at the higher end of the pay scale are typically well compensated.
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CONCLUSION – Is Healthcare A Good Career Path
Healthcare workers have great potential to make good money in the industry. With advancements in technology and increased demand for quality care, there has been an influx of job opportunities in the sector, with many companies offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages.
Furthermore, experienced professionals can earn even more by specializing or obtaining certifications, which significantly increases base pay. All these factors mean that those working in this field have excellent earning potential if they are willing to put in the effort and invest their time into learning new skills.