Besides having the honor of saving human lives, people are incentivized to join the medical field due to its high paychecks. Experts working in associated professions can easily make $10,000 a month, even if they’re not physicians. In fact, you can enjoy a great career with just an associate degree.
So, if you don’t have the willpower or financial means to go through numerous years of college and subsequent specialization, these are the jobs you should consider.
10. Speech-Language Expert
When we talk about elite medical professions, very few people think of speech therapists. Experts working within this field have the task of assessing and treating various communication disorders that occur as a result of physical or mental trauma. For example, a speech-language therapist helps people who have suffered from developmental delays, strokes, or brain injuries.
It’s worth noting that speech impediments are especially common at a young age. As a result, many people working in this field are tied to local schools and other early education facilities. With just a master’s degree, you can easily get $77,000 doing this job.
9. Genetic Specialist
In the last few years, the field of genetics has become much more popular. As the Western population starts giving birth at an older and older age, parents are worried about potential developmental issues their babies might have. Besides that, genetic specialists can tell you whether or not you’re at risk of developing hereditary diseases.
Many genetic specialists have their private offices, but you can also find them in hospitals, medical centers, and various diagnostic laboratories. The demand for genetic specialists is rising at a whopping rate of 29% year over year, meaning there will always be work for these experts.
8. Patient Advocate
Here’s another medical profession that is out of the limelight. Doing independent nurse advocacy requires comprehensive knowledge from various financial, administrative, and medical disciplines. The professional has to be a Jack of all trades to serve their clients the right way.
People doing this job are looking to assist a person with all non-medical issues they might have. For example, nurse advocates help with insurance claims and provider selection and answer various questions they might have regarding their condition and treatment.
7. Occupational Therapist
Having the assistance of an occupational therapist is vital if you’ve suffered a debilitating disease. These medical experts assist people who have lost their basic motor functions and are looking to restore their ability to walk and use hands and other body parts. Most therapists work in hospitals and clinics, but you can also find them in schools and nursing homes.
Similar to genetic specialists, the demand for occupational therapists has increased by approximately 24% year over year. If we also consider a great median salary of $84,000, the profession is a great choice for anyone who wants to secure their future.
6. Physical Therapist
Another class of therapists on our list includes experts who increase muscle and joint mobility for those who have suffered an injury or illness. With their assistance, patients won’t have to suffer from continuous chronic pain. By the end of a program, some patients are able to fully restore their previous function.
Similar to other medical profession, the demand for physical therapists has increased sharply in the last few years. This is mostly connected with the aging baby boomer generation. As they get older and older, these people will suffer strokes and heart attacks, increasing the need for corrective therapy.
5. Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers combine basic and advanced principles from engineering and medical science. Their job is to design equipment and other products that would tackle medical conditions and improve life quality for various groups of people.
Professionals working in this field can earn as much as $88,000 per year. Although the demand for biomedical engineers won’t rise as sharply as for some other medical professions, it is still a great profession for up-and-coming students.
4. Healthcare Executives
Executives are a part of hospitals’ and clinics’ top brass. They are responsible for coordinating the workforce, managing finances, and enhancing service quality. Besides leading entire hospitals, some of the executives might focus on specific departments.
To succeed in this field, you require multidisciplinary knowledge that includes finances, ethics, healthcare laws, and technology. Healthcare executives need at least a bachelor’s degree and can earn up to $100,000 a year.
3. Physician Assistant
You don’t have to be a physician to have a great career. Just being an assistant to these experts can net you $108,000 a year. Despite not being a glamorous profession, assistants can examine and treat patients.
The majority of physical assistants work in clinics and hospitals, but you might find them in other settings as well. Another reason to pursue this career is the annual increase in demand of 37%.
2. APRN
APRN or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse is a joint term for several positions. We use it to refer to nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners. Like all other professions on the list, the job of APRNs is on the rise, with increased demand of 31% year over year.
To assume one of these positions, you should first get a master’s degree. After that, you have to pass a state as well as a national certification exam.
1. Pharmacist
Pharmacists are the most elite of all the professions on the list. These medical experts sell drugs but also provide instructions for use as well as other recommendations. In a way, they’re ancillary staff meant to support physicians and nurses.
Becoming a pharmacist is no simple task; you need a professional or doctoral degree to do this job. However, once you finish all the prerequisites, you can get a salary of approximately $126,000.
Conclusion
The great thing about medicine is that it gives young students a lot of flexibility. You can choose between practical positions, administrative tasks, finances, and even engineering. Hopefully, by going through this list, you’ll find an ideal calling for yourself.
