Health care is a rapidly-growing industry.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the creation of 3.2 million new jobs in the health care industry from 2008 through 2018. Overall ten of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in the United States are found within the nation's health care system, explains the BLS. A number of careers exist within the field of medicine and vary in educational and licensing requirements as well as in their average pay.
Physicians and Surgeons
Physicians and surgeons are medical professionals who diagnose medical conditions and then develop treatment plans, prescribing medications and other therapies and performing operations as required. Typically, doctors earn a bachelor's degree followed by a four-year medical degree and then complete a minimum of a three year residency. For family or general physicians, the average annual salary was $161,490 as of May 2008, according to BLS. Doctors who performed operations or surgeons averaged $206,770 per year.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses work to implement the treatment plans developed by physicians and provide education to patients and their families about health-related issues. Professionals in the field work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices and long-term care facilities. To become a registered nurses, students must earn at least a two-year associate degree, three-year hospital-training program diploma or four-year bachelor's degree in nursing. Registered nurses received average annual salaries of $65,130 as of May 2008, reports the BLS.
Medical Assistant
Working primarily in physicians' offices and outpatient clinics, medical assistants perform a variety of tasks that require only minimal training, such as monitoring patient vital signs and setting up the examination room prior to an appointment. Medical assistant typically attend one-year certificate or two-year associate degree educational programs. Workers in the field received averaged annual salaries of $29,060 in May 2008, according to BLS.
Nursing Assistants
Nursing assistants usually find employment in hospitals and long-term care facilities as well as with home health care services. Like medical assistants, nursing assistants often monitor patient vital signs, but preform more personal care tasks, such as assisting patients with daily living tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and eating. Nursing assistants who work for facilities that receive payments from Medicare must complete at least 75 hours of training to work in the field, reports the BLS. In May 2008, the average annual salary for nursing assistants was $24,620, explains BLS.
Radiologic Technologists
Radiologic technologists are professionals who administer diagnostic imaging tests like x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), computed tomography (CT scans) and mammograms. To work in the field, a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree is necessary, typically requiring 21 months to four years of study, depending upon the program. Radiologic technologists received average annual salaries of $53,230 as of May 2008, according to BLS.
Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists prepare patients for surgery and then monitor their heart rate and blood pressure throughout the procedure. Technologists also set-up operating rooms and pass instruments to surgeons during operations. Educational programs for surgical technologists usually last for nine to 24 months and result in a certificate, diploma or associate degree. As of May 2008, surgical technologists averaged annual salaries of $40,070, reports BLS.
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