Is Health Care A Good Career Path?

As you are searching about this question, I believe you are thinking about starting your career. It is always best to explore the available options. It is also crucial to make a decision beforehand so that you can prepare yourself both academically and characteristically. 

After all, you need to have a particular degree along with other expertise and skills in order to get a job. Especially when you are targeting a particular industry. 

For example, as you are searching about whether the healthcare industry is a suitable career path or not, you can be ready for that. 

Here, in this article, along with providing you with the answer to your question, I will also guide you with some related information that you must know when you are thinking about these career options. 

What Is A Health Care Career? 

This is indeed a broad term which covers a wide range of occupations, specifically in the medical field. From nurses to doctors to pharmacists to therapies, you will find different types of healthcare careers that are available for you. 

All you need to do is pick up the most suitable one for yourself. Although each profession has its unique set of responsibilities, they hold the single goal of improving the well-being and health of patients. 

Read More: Ensuring Quality Healthcare with Correct Diagnoses

Requirements

As I have already mentioned, there are several types of healthcare jobs available. Some of the job profiles need a high school diploma; on the other hand, some require a doctorate degree along with many years of medical training. 

Here, I have curated a list of the professions as per the minimum education level. 

Is Health Care A Good Career Path?

Now, you got a basic understanding of what a healthcare job actually is and also the requirements. It is time to answer your questions. “Is health care a good career path?”

Honestly, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things. Those things are not only our lifestyle but also the way different types of industries function. Just like many other industries, and health care industry is also affected by the effects of the global pandemic. 

Healthcare professionals are the ones who have worked day and night just to ensure that the patients can recover soon and fewer people get affected by this super infectious disease. 

While the doctors and nurses were doing overtime, other healthcare professionals were also given the necessary support. From laboratory technicians and other professionals. 

So, standing in 2022, we definitely can say that health care is not only a good career path but also an important one. So, if you are thinking about building a career here, always remember that you are taking a really responsible and noble opportunity to serve others. 

But at the same time, you have to ensure that you hold the necessary skills and capabilities. 

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Healthcare As A Career Path

Now, you get the answer to your questions, but in order to have a complete understanding of “Is health care a good career path?” it will be best to have a piece of knowledge about both the positive and negative side of the healthcare industry. 

What Do Health Care Jobs Pay? 

For both health care practitioners and technicians, like nurses and doctors, the median annual pay ranges around $75,040, as per the data of May 2021, U.S. BLS or Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

Here, I would also like to mention that healthcare support workers might earn a lot less. Workers in this specific category, like occupational therapy assistants, home health sides, and medical transcriptionists, make around a median annual salary of $29,880. 

Here is a list of the highest-paid jobs in the healthcare sector. So, when you want to know, “Is health care a good career path?” you also should know the job profiles that pay the most. 

• Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists: $123,780.
• Optometrists: $124,300. 
• Pharmacists: $128,570. 
• Podiatrists: $145,840. 
• Dentists: $163,220. 
• Surgeons and physicians: $208,000. 

If you get the opportunity to discuss this with a healthcare professional, you will get to know a lot of things. 

Here is another list of the lowest-paying jobs in the healthcare industry. 

• Psychiatric aides and technicians: $36,230.  
• Nursing assistants and orderlies: $30,290. 
• Medical transcriptionists: $30,100. 
• Laboratory animal caretakers and veterinary assistants: $29,780.
• Personal care and home health aides: $29,430.

Read More: 7 Health Tips For Medical Students

How Many Jobs Are Available In Health Care? 

Just like any other industry, the health care industry is also changing continuously. That is why the number of available jobs in this sector also changes. Reports state that in 2020 February, there were around 16.5 million jobs available in this field. 

Now, let’s have a look at the available options you can choose from. 

• Doctor.
• Nurse.
• Optician.
• Audiologist. 
• Athletic trainer. 
• Dietician or nutritionist. 
• Dental hygienist. 
• Chiropractor. 
• Massage therapy. 
• Genetic counselor. 
• Paramedic or ENT. 
• Nuclear medicine technologist. 
• Medicare reimbursement specialist. 
• Occupational therapist. 
• Veterinarian. 
• Transplant coordinator. 
• Speech-language pathologist. 
• Radiation therapist. 

But you always have to remember that if you are just entering this industry, you might not get high designated jobs. That means you need to prepare yourself for entry-level jobs. Here is a list of available entry-level jobs. 

• Ultrasound technician. 
• Scheduling assistant. 
• Pharmacy technician. 
• Nursing assistant. 
• Medical biller and coder. 
• Medical assistant. 
• Home health aide. 
• Dialysis technician. 
• Dental assistant. 

Read More: Healthcare Jobs That Will Be Most in Demand 2020–2025

Good Luck!

I believe, after going through this article, you have already decided on “Is health care a good career path?” So, if you want to be a part of this industry, you should start your preparation today. Find out the job profile you want to go with and work hard to get there. 

And, in case you have any other queries and questions, you can always leave that in the comment section. And I will come up with a solution as soon as possible. 

Read Also:

• Is Marine Transportation A Good Career Path?
• Temporary Health Insurance and Who It Suits
• Top Non-Physician Career Opportunities in the Healthcare Sector