21 Six Figure Jobs in Healthcare
Updated February 24, 2023
As a large and lucrative industry, there are a lot of opportunities in the medical field. You can use your experience, education and certifications to find a job in healthcare that fits you best. If you have a certain healthcare-related passion, then you can use your career to benefit from both helping patients and earning an impressive salary, even upwards of $100,000 or more. In this article, we provide a list of careers in healthcare that make six figures or more.
21 healthcare jobs that make six figures
If you're interested in a high-salary position in healthcare, review this list of jobs that earn more than $100,000 per year:
1. Veterinarian
National average salary: $101,183 per year
Primary duties: A veterinarian cares for the healthcare needs of animals who are sick or injured. They prescribe medications, assess animals and diagnose illnesses, vaccinate pets and give suggestions to people on how best to care for their pets.
Read more: Learn About Being a Veterinarian
2. Pharmacy manager
National average salary: $105,074 per year
Primary duties: A pharmacy manager oversees the operations of a pharmacy. They train pharmacists and other staff members, fill prescriptions and make sure that all employees are following the appropriate protocols so each patient gets the correct medication. Pharmacy managers also consult with prescribing physicians, administer immunizations to individuals and provide consultations to patients who may have questions about their prescription.
3. Psychologist
National average salary: $105,108 per year
Primary duties: A psychologist is responsible for providing mental health services to patients. They assess patients, perform diagnostic tests and provide therapy for mental, emotional, social, cognitive or behavioral issues. Many psychologists perform research on the brain and related systems to better understand mental health disorders.
Read more: Learn About Being a Psychologist
4. Physician assistant
National average salary: $106,021 per year
Primary duties: A physician assistant works under a doctor to provide care to patients. They are usually a patient's primary care provider, diagnosing their illnesses, prescribing medications to address their presenting issues and creating individualized treatment plans based on their assessments and any diagnostic tests.
Read more: Learn About Being a Physician Assistant
5. Nurse practitioner
National average salary: $116,603 per year
Primary duties: A nurse practitioner is responsible for caring for patients, usually in a healthcare setting like a hospital or other facility. They perform patient assessments, diagnose patients based on their presenting issues, work with doctors to develop treatment plans and administer medications. Nurse practitioners also chart any patient updates using specific computer software and communicate end-of-shift updates to the on-call physician and other members of the nursing staff.
Read more: Learn About Being a Nurse Practitioner
6. ICU nurse
National average salary: $129,222 per year
Primary duties: An ICU nurse provides patient care to individuals in the intensive care unit of a hospital. They monitor their patients' vital signs, administer medications and work with specialized ICU equipment to help patients eat, breathe or eliminate their body fluids. Just like their fellow nurses in other departments, ICU nurses computer chart their patient's progress and any updates.
7. Orthopedist
National average salary: $153,116 per year
Primary duties: An orthopedist treats patients with musculoskeletal disorders, including those involving bones, ligaments, muscles and joints. They assess a patient's movements, create a treatment plan and monitor the patient's progress.
8. Infertility specialist
National average salary: $170,746 per year
Primary duties: An infertility specialist is responsible for diagnosing the reasons behind infertility for a patient and recommending treatments to help patients conceive a child. They may perform surgery and other procedures, conduct and review ultrasounds and administer medications to reach a patient's end goal of becoming a parent.
9. Emergency medicine physician
National average salary: $182,592 per year
Primary duties: An emergency medicine physician treats patients who are experiencing a life-threatening illness or injury. They evaluate patients and triage them to the appropriate team of healthcare providers, depending on the patient's condition. Emergency medicine physicians may need to act fast to develop a short-term plan of care to stabilize patients.
10. Neurologist
National average salary: $204,268 per year
Primary duties: A neurologist is responsible for treating patients who have brain and spinal cord diseases and injuries. They also work with disorders affecting nerves and muscles. Neurologists diagnose a patient's condition, treat their issues and continue to help the patient manage their disease.
Read more: Learn About Being a Neurologist
11. Family medicine physician
National average salary: $209,513 per year
Primary duties: A family medicine physician provides comprehensive care to all members of a family, from young children to seniors. They perform wellness exams, identify disorders and diseases and educate patients on health risks and best practices for a long and healthy life. Family medicine physicians give immunizations to patients and may refer their patients to a specialist for further evaluation or treatment.
12. Psychiatrist
National average salary: $221,215 per year
Primary duties: A psychiatrist treats patients who have a psychological disorder. They evaluate patients, determine a diagnosis, treat severe mental illnesses, prescribe medications, recommend psychiatric hospital stays and provide immediate care to individuals who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis.
Read more: Learn About Being a Psychiatrist
13. Medical director
National average salary: $224,485 per year
Primary duties: A medical director is responsible for creating protocols for all hospital or healthcare facility staff to follow and monitoring the quality of care that staff provides to patients. They manage a budget, consult with the medical board, other physicians and additional healthcare providers, recruit and hire staff members and develop solutions to help a facility operate more efficiently.
Read more: Learn About Being a Medical Director
14. Dentist
National average salary: $237,981 per year
Primary duties: A dentist creates and follows treatment plans to ensure their patients have optimal oral health. They fill cavities, identify and treat tooth decay, repair teeth, diagnose other oral health concerns and advise patients on how best to care for their teeth, gums and other parts of their mouth. Dentists also work with patients on preventing oral disease.
Read more: Learn About Being a Dentist
15. Geriatric physician
National average salary: $238,666 per year
Primary duties: A geriatric physician works with the senior population to provide care, treat their conditions, prescribe medications for chronic conditions and ensure they can have a good quality of life in their later years. Geriatric physicians may also give guidance to their patients for how they can take better care of themselves.
16. Orthodontist
National average salary: $243,217 per year
Primary duties: An orthodontist treats a patient's oral misalignments. They evaluate a patient's teeth, jaw, gums and facial structure to identify the best way to straighten the parts of the mouth that need it. Orthodontists may suggest braces, spacers or other specialized equipment depending on the patient's condition and the severity of the misalignment.
Read more: Learn About Being an Orthodontist
17. Oncologist
National average salary: $265,880 per year
Primary duties: An oncologist treats patients who have a cancer diagnosis. They develop treatment plans specific to the type of cancer the patient has, monitor patients during their cancer treatments and follow up with patients while their cancer is in remission. Oncologists also help patients manage the symptoms and side effects of their disease progression.
Read more: Learn About Being an Oncologist
18. Hospitalist
National average salary: $269,241 per year
Primary duties: A hospitalist is responsible for organizing care for patients in a hospital. They manage other members of the healthcare staff, order diagnostic tests and lab work, answer patients' questions about their treatment plans and options and prescribe medications. Hospitalists also train healthcare professionals and may research different hospital trends in patient care.
19. Dermatologist
National average salary: $284,813 per year
Primary duties: A dermatologist is responsible for diagnosing and treating skin conditions and diseases. They also work with a patient's hair and nails. Dermatologists may perform minor surgery and provide medical therapies for any skin issues.
Read more: Learn About Being a Dermatologist
20. Plastic surgeon
National average salary: $286,611 per year
Primary duties: A plastic surgeon performs surgery on patients for reconstructive or cosmetic reasons. They meet with patients prior to the procedure to understand their needs, discuss their surgery options and monitor a patient immediately after surgery to make sure there aren't any complications. Plastic surgeons may also consult with other doctors and surgeons for more complicated procedures.
Read more: Learn About Being a Plastic Surgeon
21. Cardiology physician
National average salary: $332,076 per year
Primary duties: A cardiology physician, or cardiologist, is responsible for treating patients who have an issue with their heart and the surrounding blood vessels. They work to prevent heart disease, educate patients on how to take care of their cardiovascular system, order blood and stress tests and prescribe treatments, including medication, to correct a patient's condition.
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