This post originally appeared on Glassdoor, it has been reprinted with permission.
There are a few industries that will always have positions that are in high demand, and the medical industry is one of them. Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing job sectors out there, with the industry expected to grow 19 percent between 2014 and 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and consistently high wage growth — great news for medical professionals, students studying health care, and those interested in the field.
But while the medical industry will continue to have an abundance of job opportunities for decades to come, there are some positions that are in particularly high demand compared to others, and will remain this way for the foreseeable future. Take a look at the top positions below, and consider applying today!
Medical Assistant is one job that will keep you on your feet, as you need to be ready to perform both clinical and administrative tasks. Tasks include:
- Recording patient’s personal and medical information
- Preparing medical samples for review in a medical laboratory
- Assisting patients with taking care of wounded areas
- Dispersing medication as supervised by medical professionals
- Scheduling work shifts for staff members (including nurses and medical assistants)
According to Nurse Journal, a 29% growth rate places the Medical Assistant position right below the field of nursing as one of the most sought-after positions in the medical industry. The average salary for this position is approximately $28,880 per year.
2. Personal Care Aide
Personal Care Aides act as a support system for a medical patient to keep the individual physically active while at home and while running errands in their community. It can be a fulfilling position for people that have a big heart and compassion for helping patients get back to good health. A Personal Care Aide spends most of their time assisting clients with daily tasks and the necessary self-care that the client would otherwise find dangerous or difficult to complete on their own.
The job outlook for Personal Care Aides is bright, with a 26% job growth projection, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average pay for a person in this field is approximately $19,020 per year.
[ Related Reading: These Cities Are Seeing The Fastest Growth for In-Home Senior Care Jobs ]
3. Phlebotomist
Do you have a talent for calming people down when they are stressed out? Then you are well on your way to a fulfilling career as a Phlebotomist. To be successful, you will need to be comfortable with drawing blood from the patient’s veins or arteries. Naturally, some people are uncomfortable with doing this kind of work.
A Phlebotomist has to be ready to keep a patient calm and collected during a medical procedure. It is important to pay attention to detail during stressful situations, and patient’s blood samples need to be accurately labeled. The average Phlebotomist salary is about $27,940 a year, and you can expect to see a continued job growth rate of 25% for this position.
4. Paramedic
If you enjoy helping others and can keep cool under pressure, a Paramedic position could be right for you. Plus, this position will always be in demand. While it is unfortunate, accidents, natural disasters, and serious health conditions require the immediate response of trained medical professionals. Another point to keep in mind is this role includes being a first responder at crime scenes.
It can be a stressful job at times both physically and mentally, due to the life-and-death circumstances often presented. If you decide to pursue the position of a paramedic, be prepared for the mental and emotional toll in addition to working late in the evening. However, for those in the field, it can be very rewarding.
The average annual salary for paramedics is approximately $36,000. For the foreseeable future, job growth for this career will remain at 24 percent.
[ Related Reading: What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)? What Do They Do? ]
5. Physical Therapist Assistant
The job outlook for a physical therapist assistant is bright, with a 40% growth rate projection. The average annual salary for this position is about $54,095.
The responsibility of a Physical Therapist Assistant is to work under the direction of an experienced physical therapist. Most of your day will include assisting a patient in the regaining of movement in their body after an injury or illness. Additionally, a knowledge of pain management is an educational requirement for the patient’s well-being.
Remember to wear comfortable shoes — you will have to stand on your feet for long periods of time for this position. Typically, it will require working in either a hospital or a small medical office.
Hopefully, you now feel a bit more educated about careers in the medical industry — perhaps even intrigued to pursue one. There are a lot of great things about working in the healthcare industry, including job security, even in uncertain financial times. The hours can be draining and the work tough, but often, working with your colleagues and patients feels like a second family.
Want to learn more about the salary of healthcare positions in your area? Check out Glassdoor’s salaries, Local Pay Reports, or Know Your Worth™.
Makeda Waterman is a professional writer with an Education in Journalism, Mass Communications, and Public Relations. She writes for the Huffington Post Canada and Elite Daily on millennial topics with the goal of helping people improve the quality of their lives and career.
