Careers In Allied Health
Those looking for excellent job opportunities in a rewarding career that helps others should consider the many allied health careers described in this section. Growth in the health-care industry is expected to be substantial over the next decade and many of the fastest growing occupations will be in allied health careers including home health aides, medical assistants, physical therapy assistants and physician assistants. Most of the job growth will be in settings outside of hospitals such as physician and dentist offices, patient homes, diagnostic laboratories and outpatient care centers.
Allied health-care encompasses a wide range of health-care professions and education levels. Although some careers such as physician assistants, pharmacists and speech pathologists require a graduate degree, most of the other careers can be started after earning an associate's degree, a certificate or a diploma.
The allied health jobs below are those identified by BrainTrack as commonly requiring higher education either for entry or for advancement. Hyperlinked jobs go to detailed profiles, including lists of schools with relevant programs.
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health Aides | 955,000 | 50% | 35% | 8% | |
| Medical Assistants | 496,000 | 34% | 54% | 12% | |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 332,000 | 31% | 53% | 17% | |
| Dental Assistants | 294,000 | 36% | 54% | 10% | |
| Pharmacists | 268,000 | 17% | 2% | 97% | |
| EMT And Paramedics | 218,000 | 9% | 66% | 15% | |
| Radiologic Tech | 214,000 | 17% | 67% | 24% | |
| Dental Hygienists | 174,000 | 36% | 62% | 35% | |
| Medical Lab Technologists | 167,000 | 12% | 36% | 52% | |
| Medical Lab Technicians | 152,000 | 16% | 36% | 52% | |
| Speech Pathologists | 112,000 | 19% | 1% | 98% | |
| Respiratory Therapists | 107,000 | 21% | 69% | 28% | |
| Occupational Therapists | 98,000 | 26% | 10% | 90% | |
| Surgical Technologists | 91,000 | 25% | 53% | 17% | |
| Physician Assistants | 77,000 | 39% | 23% | 69% | |
| Psychiatric Technicians | 71,000 | 4% | 53% | 17% | |
| Psychiatric Aides | 63,000 | 6% | 35% | 8% | |
| Opticians | 61,000 | 13% | 52% | 17% | |
| Dietitians And Nutritionists | 53,000 | 9% | 14% | 66% | |
| Pharmacy Aides | 52,000 | -5% | 54% | 12% | |
| Occupational Health And Safety Specialists | 52,000 | 11% | 25% | 62% | |
| Sonographers | 52,000 | 18% | 67% | 24% | |
| Cardiovascular Techs | 48,000 | 24% | 67% | 24% | |
| Medical Equipment Preparers | 47,000 | 13% | 54% | 12% | |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 40,000 | 14% | 45% | 15% | |
| Optometrists | 26,000 | 24% | 1% | 98% | |
| Dietetic Technicians | 25,000 | 14% | 53% | 17% | |
| Recreational Therapists | 22,000 | 15% | 16% | 69% | |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | 22,000 | 16% | 67% | 24% | |
| Radiation Therapists | 16,000 | 27% | 52% | 44% | |
| Athletic Trainers | 15,000 | 37% | 25% | 62% | |
| Respiratory Therapy Technicians | 15,000 | 0% | 53% | 17% | |
| Audiologists | 13,000 | 25% | 4% | 93% | |
| Occupational Health And Safety Technicians | 10,000 | 14% | 25% | 62% | |
| Podiatrists | 10,000 | 9% | 1% | 99% | |
| Orthotists And Prosthetists | 5,000 | 15% | 45% | 30% | |
| Prosthodontists | 1,000 | 28% | 1% | 99% |
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