4 High-Paying Non-Physician Jobs in Healthcare

The medical profession is one of the highest-paying careers in the U.S. Almost all medical students earn a medical degree to land a top-paying job in the healthcare sector. But medical education is notoriously expensive. Students often have to incur significant debt to finance their education. 

Surgeons and physicians, no doubt, earn some of the highest salaries in the country. But, several other roles in the healthcare sector pay high salaries while requiring less education. Some of the roles can even be landed without a Doctorate. 

If you wish to pursue a career in healthcare but aren’t keen on becoming a doctor, here are some high-paying jobs you can consider. 

#1 Pharmacist 

Average Salary: $136,033

Healthcare professionals specializing in preparing, dispensing, and managing medicines are known as pharmacists. These individuals are medication experts who promote wellness and enhance patient care.  

Pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, expand access to care, help improve medication use and adherence, and reduce healthcare costs. 

Licensed pharmacists work in a variety of settings. These include drug stores, retail pharmacies, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, department stores, schools, and universities. The University of Findlay explains that pharmacists can apply their degrees in a variety of unconventional areas. These include academia, telepharmacy, travel pharmacy, and supply chain and distribution management. 

A career in pharmacy is fulfilling as well as lucrative. In 2022, pharmacists earned a median salary of $132,750. That year, the highest-paid 25% earned $147,750, whereas the lowest-paid 25% got paid $123,020. 

The states that pay pharmacists the highest mean salary are California ($151,280), Alaska ($146,400), and Oregon ($141,440). The average wage of pharmacists is also decent in medium-sized states like Mississippi ($121,860), Ohio ($121,290), and Tennessee ($120,600). 

A Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) is required to practice pharmacy. You can enroll in a PharmD program at any university in your state, pass the licensure exam, and begin your career as a pharmacist. However, if you cannot pursue a PharmD degree on a campus, consider distance education. Flexibility and affordability are the two biggest benefits of distance learning. 

In the United States, there is no shortage of pharmacy schools that offer a distance PharmD program. Many pharmacy schools in Massachusetts, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois offer distance programs for students willing to earn a PharmD. Several Ohio pharmacy schools also offer high-quality online alternatives to campus-based PharmD programs. 

#2 Physician Assistant

Average Salary: $122,415

Commonly called PAs, physical assistants assist physicians or surgeons or work under them. These individuals review medical histories, conduct medical assessments, and write prescriptions for patients. Physical assistants also develop and manage treatment plans and assist doctors in surgery. 

The extent to which a physician or a surgeon supervises a physical assistant differs from state to state. For instance, physician assistants serve as primary care providers in rural or medically underserved areas where physicians are present no more than one or two days per week. 

The compensation of physician assistants is fairly good. Their median salary in 2022 was $126,010. The best-paid 25% earned $140,660 that year, and the lowest-paid 25% made around $104,240. Physician assistants receive the highest mean salary in Washington, California, Alaska, Connecticut, and Nevada. These states and districts pay between $145,390 and $141,360. 

A master’s degree in PA studies is all you need to start working as a physician assistant. Make sure to earn it from a university recognized by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). You will, of course, have to obtain a license in the state you want to practice. 

#3 Speech-Language Pathologist

Average Salary: $120,906

Sometimes called speech therapists, speech-language pathologists work with patients who struggle with speech or swallowing disorders. These health professionals diagnose and treat many types of swallowing and communication problems. 

Speech-language pathologists work with both adults as well as children. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders in adults usually stem from neurological conditions like brain injury, stroke, degenerative neurological diseases, and cancers such as esophageal or mouth. 

Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and colleges are some places where speech therapists work. 

The earning potential of speech-language pathologists is high. In 2022, they earned a median salary of $84,140. The highest-paid 25% made a total of $104,500. On the other hand, the lowest-paid 25% received $66,700. 

If you’re aspiring to be a speech-language pathologist, you will be required to complete a two-year speech-language pathology master’s program. Licensure is also required in all 50 states of the U.S., so make sure you obtain it. 

#4 Physical Therapist

Average Salary: $88,127

Physical therapists, or physiotherapists, are health specialists who help patients manage illnesses and injuries in various parts of their bodies. These include the musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles), integumentary system (skin), cardiopulmonary system (heart and lungs), and neurological system (brain). 

Managing pain isn’t the only goal of physical therapists. These individuals work one-on-one with patients to enhance their range of motion and regain the highest level of mobility. Physical therapists determine the cause of mobility by performing a physical examination. This includes assessing motor skills and body posture, checking for signs of nerve pains, and examining reflexes, range of movements in joints, muscle strength, and tension. 

Licensed physiotherapists work in a range of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospices, sports and fitness settings, and long-term care facilities. 

Physical therapists earn a handsome salary in the U.S. In 2022, they made a median salary of $97,720. The lowest-paid 25% earned $80,700, whereas the highest-paid 25% took home $107,430. 

Earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is necessary to practice as a physical therapist. You must also pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE); only then will you be allowed to work as a physiotherapist in the U.S.

To wrap things up, there are a variety of non-physician roles in the healthcare industry that pay well. Some of them are discussed in this guide. Other non-physician roles that offer high wages are radiation therapist, genetic counselor, dental hygienist, dietitian, and nutritionist. 

Besides the handsome package, these non-physician roles have flexible working hours. Plus, you can work in both clinical as well as non-clinical settings. Don’t just factor in the remuneration. Consider your interests, too, when choosing a career in the medical field.