12 Health Care Jobs That Pay Well

The health care industry has a vast array of career options. No matter your skill set and experience level, some positions offer steady career growth and high earning potential. Many health care jobs require at least several years of education and training, including medical school, residency and fellowships, while other positions require fewer years of schooling.

Below are 12 high-paying health care jobs, in order from lowest to highest national average salary, along with companies or organizations that offer these roles.

High-paying healthcare jobs

1. Clinic manager

National average salary: $72,371 per year

Primary duties: Clinic managers are responsible for overseeing the functions of a healthcare facility. They should manage decisions and operations related to finances, patient care, staffing and more.

Companies with this position: Amedisys, UnitedHealth Group, Apria Healthcare

2. Biomedical engineer

National average salary: $75,844 per year

Primary duties: Biomedical engineers study, manipulate and create equipment and materials related to the healthcare industry. This might include items such as prosthetics, artificial organs and pacemakers. They will also work to troubleshoot, improve, adjust and monitor how the products are working.

Companies with this position: Medtronic, Kaiser Permanente , Stryker

3. Physical therapist

National average salary: $81,423 per year

Primary duties: Physical therapists work with patients who have undergone a surgery, accident, stroke, heart attack or other incident that creates physical issues. They are responsible for observing, diagnosing and creating therapy plans for individuals related to their state of being and their goals.

Companies with this position: Advanced Travel Therapy, Reliant Rehabilitation, EDU Healthcare

4. Occupational therapist

National average salary: $44.92 per hour

Primary duties: Much like physical therapists, occupational therapists are responsible for working with patients who have undergone a traumatic incident that has inhibited their physical abilities in some way. Occupational therapists work specifically to help patients get back to their skills as it relates to certain tasks like cooking, driving or performing duties required in their jobs.

Companies with this position: Centers Health Care, Consonus Healthcare, Kindred Healthcare

5. Psychologist

National average salary: $92,067 per year

Primary duties: Psychologists study, diagnose and design treatment plans for patients with mental health challenges. They typically work in a hospital setting, but some might work directly with families in their homes or at private facilities like nursing homes.

Companies with this position: LifeStance Health, Corizon Health, U.S. Army

6. Pharmacist

National average salary: $52.05 per hour

Primary duties: Pharmacists oversee the distribution of medicine to patients. They are responsible for ensuring pharmaceuticals are quality, appropriate for the patient and in line with legal restrictions. They also communicate instructions for how to take medicines and answer patient questions about their prescriptions.

Companies with this position: Walgreens, CVS Health, Genoa Healthcare

7. Physician assistant

National average salary: $100,935 per year

Primary duties: Physician assistants are responsible for supporting doctors in their day-to-day tasks such as performing routine medical procedures, filing paperwork and taking medical histories. They work closely with both nurses and doctors for a holistic view of the patient’s care.

Companies with this position: Concentra, Novant Health, Premise Health

8. Podiatrist

National average salary: $109,072 per year

Primary duties: Podiatrists are responsible for observing, diagnosing and treating health issues related to the feet. They might perform in-office procedures, prescribe certain medication or physical therapy or recommend various types of surgeries.

Companies with this position: 360Care, SeniorWell, Mayo Clinic

9. Optometrist

National average salary: $123,914 per year

Primary duties: Optometrists are professionals responsible for healthcare related to the eye. Common duties include checking vision, prescribing contact lenses and eye care products such as eye drops, diagnosing some eye or vision abnormalities and more.

Companies with this position: Visionworks, Vision Source, Walmart

10. Registered nurse anesthetist

National average salary: $174,955 per year

Primary duties: Registered nurse anesthetists specialize in administering anesthesia during medical procedures. They work with physicians and surgeons of various specialties to play a role in safely providing an appropriate amount of medicine for patients to achieve a sleep-like state during surgery.

Companies with this position: CoreMedical Group, Dignity Health, Cleveland Clinic

11. Dentist

National average salary: $178,240 per year

Primary duties: Dentists are responsible for managing a patient’s health of the mouth and teeth. They might diagnose abnormalities as patients notice them or as they are found in routine cleanings. After regularly scheduled cleanings, dentists are responsible for the final check of health.

Companies with this position: Midwest Dental, Smile Brands Inc., Kool Smiles

12. Physician/Surgeon

National average salary: $182,001 per year

Primary duties: Physicians are responsible for observing, diagnosing and treating the health of their patients. There are many different specialties a physician might pursue addressing nearly every part of the body from cardiovascular health to neurology to dermatology and more.

Companies with this position: U.S. Army, Correct Care Solutions, Landmark Health

When applying for a job in the healthcare industry, it is important to highlight the appropriate and required degrees, certifications and other training on your resume and during your interviews. If you are considering pursuing a job in healthcare, take time to research what credentials you will need to be successful.