12 Best Paying Jobs in Health Care: A 2024 Guide

Health care plays a critical role in our society. In addition to helping those suffering from ailments right now, health care professionals also help to prevent illnesses from arising in the first place. Unsurprisingly, then, health care is a growing field with some of the highest-paying professions. In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of health care jobs is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, resulting in 1.9 million new job openings each year throughout the decade [1].

While doctors and surgeons earn notably high salaries, there are plenty of other health care roles in which you can earn a good living. It’s not all about the money, though. Working in the health care industry can be a fulfilling career for altruistic reasons.

In this article, you'll explore twelve high-paying health care jobs for you to consider. At the end, you'll find suggested cost-effective, flexible courses to start gaining field-relevant knowledge today.

12 highest paying jobs in the health care industry

There are plenty of jobs to choose from if you decide to pursue a health care career. From surgeons to podiatrists and nurse practitioners, here's a list of the top-paying health care positions according to the US BLS [1]:

1. Physician or surgeon - $208,000+

2. Dentist - $163,220

3. Podiatrist - $145,840

4. Pharmacist - $128,570

5. Optometrist - $124,300

6. Nurse practitioner - $123,780

7. Physician assistant - $121,530

8. Veterinarian - $100,370

9. Physical therapist - $95,620

10. Occupational therapist - $84,570

11. Radiation therapist - $82,790

12. Genetic counselor - $80,150

Below, we explore each of these careers in greater detail. Read on to learn more about these high-paying and high-impact health care professions.

1. Physician or surgeon

Physicians and surgeons are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries in their patients. Doctors examine patients, record their medical histories, perform diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. They may assess and provide advice on preventative health care, such as improving one’s diet, nutrition, or exercise regimen.

Doctors work in clinics, hospitals, and more, and can choose to work in a variety of specialties, from pediatrics to dermatology. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries and diseases, such as from a car accident, cancer, or disability. These professions can be incredibly rewarding for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to become one, well-suited for intelligent, conscientious, and professional individuals.

2. Dentist

Dentists are the physicians of the teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. They diagnose and treat any issues that may arise, including advising on proper care and diet to improve dental health.

Day-to-day tasks might include removing decay from teeth, filling cavities, examining x-rays of the teeth, gums, and jaw, and prescribing medications, night guards, or dentures. Aspiring dentists should be detail-oriented, honest, trustworthy, and easy to talk to. You should care about educating patients about teeth and their importance to overall health.

3. Podiatrist

Podiatrists are doctors for the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They provide medical and surgical care for these areas of the body, diagnosing any illnesses or injuries that a patient may have. Podiatrists can perform surgeries to treat fractures and prescribe inserts to improve mobility.

The feet are the foundation for the rest of the body and for movement. The field is very specialized, so job growth is slow. Jobs typically only become available when a podiatrist retires or switches careers, and sometimes foot problems are treated by regular physicians. 

4. Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and advise on the safe usage and storage of the drugs. At drug stores and pharmacies, they may also conduct health screenings, administer immunizations and flu shots, and advise patients on diet, exercise, and stress management.

Good traits for pharmacists to have include kindness, a good memory, and being able to manage the business side of the pharmacy.

Read more: What Is a PharmD Degree? Your Guide

The impact of online prescriptions on pharmacist jobs

Since many pharmacists work in brick-and-mortar retail pharmacies and drug stores, this profession is in decline as consumers continue to fill prescriptions online and as pharmacy chains reduce their locations.

CVS plans to close 900 stores between 2022 and 2025, while Rite Aid plans to close 63 in addition to hundreds of closures over the past few years [4, 5]. Despite a decline in pharmacist jobs, over 11,000 job openings are projected each year as current workers switch jobs or retire.

5. Optometrist

Optometrists are doctors who assess the eyes and other parts of the visual system. They examine, diagnose, and treat any visual problems, diseases, injuries, and disorders of the eyes. Optometrists also can prescribe glasses or contact lenses.

Some may perform surgical procedures to correct vision issues and provide treatments for vision rehabilitation. As an optometrist, you should possess excellent communication skills and the ability to work with precision, since the eyes are an essential and delicate part of the human body.

6. Nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners, along with nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives, are different types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), who help coordinate and provide patient care. APRNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, monitor their progress, create patient care plans, perform diagnostic tests, operate medical equipment, and provide medicines.

APRNs may work independently or collaborate with physicians. Much of their work is similar to registered nurses, though APRNs have additional training and specializations, and tend to focus on patient-centered care.

Read more: What Is a Nurse Practitioner? A Career Guide

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7. Physician assistant

Physician assistants, sometimes known as PAs, examine, diagnose, and treat patients, assisting physicians, surgeons, and other health care staff. They record patients’ medical histories, examine and monitor their health, run and analyze diagnostic tests such as x-rays and blood tests, and give treatment for injuries or diseases. A physician assistant should be calm, approachable, collaborative, and adaptable.

8. Veterinarian

Veterinarians are care providers for animals and protecting public health is often incorporated into their work. They examine, diagnose, and treat medical conditions for pets, livestock, and more, sometimes performing surgery or dressing wounds. You can specialize in pets as a companion animal veterinarian, or in livestock as a food animal veterinarian or food safety and inspection veterinarian.

In addition to enjoying working with animals, you should be a compassionate problem solver and decision-maker because your patients cannot communicate with you the same way that humans can.

9. Physical therapist

Physical therapists help injured people improve movement, manage pain, and increase mobility. They often work with patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries to provide rehabilitation, treatment, and preventative care.

Physical therapists may be referred by doctors or surgeons, to diagnose and treat patients using exercises, stretching, therapy, and equipment to alleviate and prevent pain. As a physical therapist, you should be determined, because the recovery process can be slow and difficult for patients, and you should be supportive, resilient, and sociable.

Read more: How to Become a Physical Therapist

10. Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists treat patients who are injured, ill, or disabled, to help them in their recovery and gain the necessary skills for daily living and working. They examine and treat patients who may encounter disabilities when performing certain tasks after an illness such as stroke.

Some may evaluate patients' homes or workplaces to improve their environment, such as labeling filing cabinets for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. As an occupational therapist, you must be creative and resourceful to identify potential innovative ways to improve a patient’s day-to-day tasks and be observant and adaptable to accommodate their changing needs as time goes on.

11. Radiation therapist

Radiation therapists provide radiation treatment to patients afflicted with serious health conditions, such as thyroid disease or cancer. Through the use of special machinery, radiation therapists administer doses of radiation remotely to patients from behind a pane of glass to reduce the possibility of being exposed to high levels of radiation themselves.

Radiation therapists are key members of an oncology team who are critical in reducing and, in some cases, even eradicating cancerous growths in patients. To accomplish this difficult task, radiation therapists must pair a deep understanding of radiation equipment with compassion, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills to provide patients with the best possible care. 

12. Genetic counselor 

Genetic counselors advise individuals and families about genetic conditions that may affect their health. Through an assessment of a patient’s family history, genetic counselors provide their clients with a thorough understanding of any hereditary conditions they may possess, ways to manage them, and any ethical considerations that may arise from living with (or passing on) such a condition. Some common hereditary conditions genetic counselors may discuss include Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell disease. 

Genetic counselors can help many different types of patients, including individuals, families, and potential parents concerned about passing on a hereditary condition to their children. In effect, successful genetic counselors must possess the required education to provide genetic counseling alongside communication, critical thinking, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Get started in health care with Coursera

Launch your career in health care by getting your feet wet in one of these health-related courses and specializations.

In the University of Minnesota's Integrative Health and Medicine specialization, you'll explore integrative therapies, including herbal medicine, guided imagery, aromatherapy, and mindfulness.

In the University of Pennsylvania's Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us, you'll explore the anatomy and physiology underlying the vital signs so that you will develop a systematic, integrated understanding of how the body functions.