Top 10 Highest Paid Non-Physician Jobs

The healthcare field is growing by leaps and bounds, and the healthcare industry is considered as one of the most sought-after fields in the United States. The health care industry does not just include physician jobs, but offers several non-physician career options, such as allied services professionals, health care administrators, and healthcare management jobs. These career options have stability and good future prospects. Here, we have compiled the list of top ten highest paid non-physician jobs.

Surgical technologists, also known as operating room technicians -or ‘scrub tech’- assist in surgical operations. They are a part of the surgical team along with surgeons, nurses, and other technicians. Their main role is to prepare the operating room, sterilize the surgical instruments, maintain an inventory of instruments, and prepare the patient for the surgery. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), surgical technologists earned an average yearly salary of $48,060 as of May 2017.

With the advancements in medical industry, the demand for people who operate the technology is also required. X-ray technicians, also known as radiologic technicians or radiographers, are professionals who support patients, doctors and nurses through a variety of tasks related to the field of radiology. Their job involves taking x-rays of patients, keeping records and maintaining machines. The future prospects of radiologic technician are on the positive side. The higher your educational value, the better your chances for employment and salary. The mean salary of a radiologic technician is $60,320.

With the steadily growing healthcare industry, the future prospects of those who assist doctors are very bright. This field not only offers relative career stability, it also offers the flexibility to work part-time. A physician assistant practices medicine under the guidance of a licensed physician. They perform their duties under the supervision of physician. They are involved in taking the medical history of the patient, ordering tests, diagnosing illnesses, conducting physical examinations, and providing counseling related to the prevention of diseases. As of May 2017, the median annual salary of a physician assistant was $104,760. With the baby boomers approaching old age and the shortage of physicians working in doctors offices, the demand for physician assistants is going to increase.

Physical therapy assistants are professionals who help physically impaired people improve their strength, stamina and mobility in order to enhance their health and wellness. They work in a variety of health care settings, including outpatient treatment centers, orthopedic clinics, senior health care facility, acute care, private clinics or hospitals. They are an integral part of a team that includes surgeons, physicians, occupational therapists and physical therapists. They help transport the affected patients to and from the treatment facility. They also perform several administrative tasks like documentation of patients, answering calls, maintaining records etc. They work under the supervision of physical therapist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for physical therapy assistants will grow by 35 percent between 2008 and 2018. According to the BLS, the average salary earned by physical therapy assistants in 2017 was $57,620.

The need for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow as the number of people over the age of sixty increases. The job of a nutrition specialist involves providing nutritional counseling to patients and to create plans for clinical treatment through dietary modifications. A dietitian utilizes the knowledge of food and combines it with their artistic skills to create healthy and delicious meal plans. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for registered dietitians in 2017 was $59,410. The consulting charges or salary depends upon several factors; for example, location of practice, experience and education and employment settings can all affect the salary of a dietician.

The role of a healthcare manager is to manage how healthcare is delivered. They deal with the various business needs of a medical or healthcare facility in which they work. They plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of healthcare. They help in the smooth functioning of the health care setting. Their duties are defined by the position they are holding. Healthcare managers can work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, medical offices and long-term care facilities. According to the BLS, the mean salary of a healthcare manager in 2017 was $111,680.

A neonatal nurse practitioner is a healthcare professional who specializes in neonatal care. They are nursing professionals who work with premature infants and high-risk newborns, right from their birth till approximately 2 years of age. The job of a neonatal nurse involves making evaluations, making nursing diagnoses, interpreting labs, and prescribing therapeutic treatments to the infant. The prospects of registered neonatal nurse are good with a median salary of $100,590 per year.

Registered nurses are professionals who provide and co-ordinate patient care, provide emotional and mental support to the patients, and educate patients about various health conditions. A RN performs direct care and routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. They attend to the patient’s needs with utmost patience, care, compassion, and understanding. They can work independently and provide healthcare services to the patients, or they can work in a team. They mainly work in settings like nursing homes, physician’s clinic, hospitals, public health departments and community health centers. The registered nurses can undergo advanced courses and study further to increase their educational qualifications and job prospects. According to BLS, the scope of registered nurses is good with an average growth of 16 percent. The median pay for a RN in the year 2017 was $70,000.

Nurse anesthetists are advanced care nurses who have undergone special training and education. They do much more than put people to sleep during operations. They often work with physicians and other members of the medical team to provide efficient care to the patient. They provide anesthesia and related care to the patients before and after surgical, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures. They keep a track of vital signs throughout the procedure or surgery and even while the patient is recovering. The median salary for a nurse anesthetist in 2017 was $165,120.

A pharmacist is a prospective job that has a positive outlook for those involved in it. Pharmacists ensure that the customers have the positive experience on the store. They receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate. They also conduct various wellness programs, disease screening events, immunizations etc. They provide advice to patients on preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyle. According to the BLS, the mean salary of a pharmacist in 2017 was $124,170.

The healthcare industry is a broad industry that relies upon a large number of supporting roles that help provide higher quality and more convenient care to the patients. These roles offer flexible working hours and good future prospects and require shorter educational investments.