How Many Jobs Are Available in Health Care? (With Salaries) | Indeed.com

How Many Jobs Are Available in Health Care? (With Salaries)

Updated April 18, 2024

The health care industry offers a varied range of roles and opportunities. The type of role you choose may depend on your professional interests, skills and the demand for the role you want. Familiarizing yourself with the available occupations in health care can help you identify a role that best suits you.  In this article, we discuss how many jobs are available in health care, specific roles within the field and the national average salary of these roles. 
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How many jobs are in health care?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for health care jobs is projected to increase 13% by 2031. This growth is faster than other occupations, presenting around 2 million new job opportunities by 2031. As people leave the industry, more jobs may become available. There are many sub-sectors in health care that present a magnitude of unique roles, such as pharmaceuticals, health care administration and health insurance.

What's the average salary of health care jobs? 

The health care industry offers many high-paying roles in multiple fields. The national average salary for all health care practitioners, such as nurses and physicians, and technology occupations, such as x-ray technicians and medical engineers, is $75,040 per year, according to the BLS. This is 38.6% more than the national average wage of all occupations in the United States.
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12 jobs in health care

Discover the following roles to identify an occupation that meets your salary expectations and personal interests. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries. 

1. Care coordinator

National average salary: $49,579 per yearPrimary duties: Care coordinators provide patients with guidance and support during treatment. They also provide services to family members to ensure they understand their relatives' treatment and conditions. To ensure care coordinators deliver patients and family members with accurate information, they communicate with health care professionals, such as nurses, to gain knowledge of any specific medical areas. While care coordinators primarily work with patients, they may additionally recruit and train team members within the same field.Find care coordinator jobsRelated: How To Become a Care Coordinator

2. Medical receptionist

National average salary: $34,401 per yearPrimary duties: Medical receptionists are team members that handle the day-to-day activities of health care establishments, including hospitals and clinics. Their major duties include answering general queries of patients, booking patient appointments, organizing paperwork and directing phone calls to relevant departments.Find medical receptionist jobsRelated: How To Become a Medical Receptionist in 4 Steps (With Skills) 

3. Nutritionist

National average salary: $52,929 per yearPrimary duties: Nutritionists apply their scientific understanding of nutrients and food to provide patients with specialized diets and communicate evidence-based information. Nutritionists provide their services to patients with an array of conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic illness and high cholesterol.Find nutritionist jobsRelated: How To Become a Nutritionist

4. Medical sales representative 

National average salary: $77,211 per yearPrimary duties: A medical sales representative works on behalf of a medical company, such as a pharmaceutical business, to promote and sell its products or services to health care professionals and organizations. They increase product awareness by introducing new products to prospective clients through various communication channels, including emails and phone calls, provide advice about products or services and answer any queries individuals may have.Find medical sales representative jobsRelated: A Day in the Life of a Medical Sales Rep

5. X-ray technician

National average salary: $52,713 per yearPrimary duties: X-ray technicians, or radiologic technologists, operate X-rays to perform medical examinations of patients, such as creating images of bones. They forward x-ray results to relevant health care specialists, such as physicians, so they can interpret the results and conclude a diagnosis.  Find X-ray technician jobsRelated: Guide for How To Become an X-Ray Tech

6. Physical therapist

National average salary: $85,831 per yearPrimary duties: Physical therapists treat patients who have experienced injuries or experience pain. They deliver preventive care and rehabilitative treatment plans that incorporate exercise-based approaches to individuals suffering from chronic pain, illness and injuries.Find physical therapist jobsRelated: 14 Pros and Cons of Being a Physical Therapist To Consider 

7. Nurse practitioner

National average salary: $120,621 per yearPrimary duties: Nurse practitioners care for patients undergoing treatment and collaborate with other health care professionals, such as physicians, to coordinate treatment plans. They also provide support to patients and communicate important information to family members. In some instances, nurse practitioners may assist with onboarding new nurses by training them.Find nurse practitioner jobsRelated: How To Become a Nurse Practitioner

8. Nurse anesthetist

National average salary: $199,423 per yearPrimary duties: Nurse anesthetists administer general anesthetic to patients undergoing surgical treatment. They also monitor the vitals, such as heart rate and blood pressure, of patients during surgery and provide post-surgical treatment, such as administering medication.Find nurse anesthetist jobsRelated: 11 Reasons To Be a Nurse Anesthetist (With Qualifications)

9. Pharmacist

National average salary: $119,755 per yearPrimary duties: Pharmacists prescribe pharmaceutical drugs and medications to patients and liaise with other medical professionals, such as nurses and physicians, to develop patient treatment plans. Pharmacists can work in a range of environments, including retail stores, independent pharmacies, hospitals and clinics.  Find pharmacist jobsRelated: How To Become a Pharmacist

10. Physician

National average salary: $214,096 per yearPrimary duties: Physicians are advanced medical professionals that provide health care treatment to patients. They diagnose patients, perform tests, such as blood tests, develop treatment plans and communicate with patients to address any concerns. Physicians can specialize in several medical fields including pediatrics, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecologyFind physician jobsRelated: 9 Steps To Become a Physician 

11. Dentist

National average salary: $223,864 per yearPrimary duties: Dentists specialize in treating dental and oral health conditions, including cavities and gum disease. They also treat oral and dental irregularities, such as receding gums, cracked teeth and enamel erosion. Aside from medical care, dentists additionally provide patients with aesthetic treatments, such as teeth whitening and veneers.Find dentist jobsRelated: 12 Types of Dentists (Plus Salaries and Career Requirements)

12. Psychiatrist

National average salary: $255,958 per yearPrimary duties: Psychiatrists primarily treat patients with mental, behavioral and emotional issues. This role involves diagnosing patients, developing suitable treatment plans, such as therapy, and prescribing medication.Find psychiatrist jobsRelated: A Day in the Life of a Psychiatrist
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