The Cost of a Career in the Health Sector

The world of health can be a baffling one. No, we’re not just talking about maintaining your health, but actually finding a career in the health industry itself. This short guide will provide an overview of the differences between various professions in the sector, along with the requirements needed to get there and will also answer the burning question, how well do medical careers pay.

At the lower end of the pay scale, earning between $21,920 and $28,320, you can find Home Health Aides, Nursing Assistants and Psychiatric Technicians. Despite the unsociable hours and inflexible working patterns, these professions are considered to be low skilled and therefore do not need high levels of education to gain access in to a career in these areas. The low salaries are reflected in the university debts you will avoid by going in to one.

If you are looking for a slightly higher salary, then perhaps you want to consider a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant which will earn you around $54,520. For an assistant role, you will typically need an Associate’s Degree to qualify, whereas if you are happy to undertake further study, in the shape of a Masters degree, you have the option become an Physical Therapist, earning a salary of approximately $80,150. Once again the pay is reflected in the investment in to higher education, and also the length of time taken to qualify.

If you are still not satisfied and want to be earning a salary of $100,000 and above then you may wish to consider a career as a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife or Nurse Practitioner, earning around $104,740. Successful candidates need a Masters level degree from a prestigious university, along with a significant amount of relevant work experience. Similarly, a career as an Optometrist also requires a comparable level of education and will earn you around $103,900.

At the very top end of the scale you will find Pharmacists earning a salary of around $121,500, and Physicians and Cardiac Surgeons who can earn anything up to $187,200. A Doctoral or Professional Degree is required for entry in to these careers; therefore you need to be ready to invest a lot of time, money and commitment to ensure that you can earn these top level salaries.

Dentists can also be part of the elite group earning up to $158,310 and again need a Doctoral or professional degree for entry in to this career. If you are interested in the industry, but not ready to commit to the full education experience, then lower level jobs include Dental Hygienists, earning around $72,330 or Dental Assistants at around $35,980.

Generally, the more time and money you are willing to invest in your education will reflect on the salary you earn when you graduate.