Did you know that 8 of the 10 highest-paying jobs in America are in healthcare? ❤️‍🩹

Whether you're after job security, six-figure potential, or a meaningful way to help others, the healthcare industry offers career paths for every kind of worker, even if you don’t have a four-year degree.

Our guide below breaks down the fastest-growing roles, their average salaries, and how you can get started!

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Healthcare Careers: The Ultimate Guide

In this career guide, we’ll be breaking down the most in-demand healthcare careers, including everything from doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals to optometrists and even lesser-known professions like certified anesthesiologist assistants.

We’ll be digging into what they do, how to get started, and what you can expect to earn for each role using salary data recorded from real healthcare professionals in our Salary Database and median wages reported by the BLS.

👩‍⚕️ Doctors & Physicians

Doctors and physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and may perform surgeries. These are some of the highest-paying and most respected roles in healthcare, often requiring years of schooling, residency, and licenses.

• Potential job paths and average pay: Internal Medicine Physician ($245K), Surgeon ($239K), Pediatrician ($205K), Oncologist ($354K), Anesthesiologist ($339K), Cardiologist ($423K), Radiologist ($353K), Dermatologist ($342K), Physician Assistant ($133K)

• Getting started: You’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree, focusing in biology, chemistry, or a related science field, medical school, and a multi-year residency program.

🩺 Nursing

Nurses = patient care, providing everything from bedside support, rehabilitation care, to even travel work. With paths ranging from RNs to advanced practice providers, this field offers a lot of flexibility and growth.

• Potential job paths and pay: Registered Nurse ($93K), Licensed Practical Nurse ($62K), Nurse Practitioner ($132K), Clinical Nurse Specialist ($94K), Nurse Anesthetist ($214K), Nurse Midwife ($131K)

• Getting started: Most roles require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

🧠 Mental & Behavioral Health

Mental health professionals support emotional, psychological, and behavioral well-being. Whether clinical or community-based, these roles are in high demand, especially as awareness around mental health grows.

• Potential job paths: Clinical Psychologist ($94K), Mental Health Counselor ($59K), Psychiatrist ($256K), Social Worker ($61K), Marriage and Family Therapist ($63K), Behavioral Health Technician ($42K), Substance Abuse Counselor ($60K)

• Getting started: Requirements range from a bachelor’s degree to advanced medical training, depending on the role.

⚕️ Allied Health Professionals

Allied health covers a wide range of jobs that support patient diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. These roles often require less schooling and may offer faster entry points into the healthcare field.

• Potential job paths: Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant ($120K), Surgical Technologist ($62K), Physical Therapist ($100K), Occupational Therapist ($96K), Speech Language Pathologist ($92K), Respiratory Therapist ($80K), Dietitian/Nutritionist ($71K), Audiologist ($92K), Recreational Therapist ($60K)

• Getting started: Most roles require an associate’s degree or certification, with opportunities to specialize as you gain experience.

👁️ Optometry Careers

Optometry is a specialized field focused on eye care, vision correction, and the early detection of eye-related diseases. Optometrists are made to be the first line of defense in spotting broader health issues through eye examinations and tests, making this a uniquely impactful and in-demand profession.

• Potential job paths: Optometrist ($134K), Optometric Technician ($38K), Optometric Assistant ($34K), Optical Dispenser ($46K), Vision Therapist ($94K)

• Getting started: Optometrists are expected to complete a specialized Optometry program after undergrad. Additional support roles, such as technicians or assistants, may require on-the-job training and/or certificate programs.

👉 Keep reading here for the full guide to careers in healthcare, including pharmaceutical, emergency services, management and dentistry careers! 

Should you quit your job to become an influencer? 🤳

In this episode of Two Cents, we break down the rise and fall of “HubsLife”, a creator who quit his 9-5 to go all-in on content creation. We use his story and our own journey to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed as a full-time influencer. We cover:

🫢 Did HubsLife quit too soon, and when's the right time to quit?

💸 How much do creators actually make, including ourselves?

⚖️ What are the hidden tradeoffs of content creation that no one talks about?

Tune in on YouTube or your preferred podcast platform to hear us get brutally honest about creator earnings, hidden tradeoffs, and what it takes to make the leap yourself!

• Need help negotiating? 🤔 Get our free salary negotiation guide.

• Does your state have a pay transparency law? ⚖️ Find out here.

• Want to start a business? 🌱 What to expect and some hard truths.

• Looking for a remote job? 🏠 10 highest-paying remote jobs in 2025.

• What’s it like being a Lobster Fisherman? 🦞 We interviewed one!

See you next week for more career tips, money moves, and transparent advice! 💚