*Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. Our fast-growing aging population means increased demand for healthcare services over the next decade.
An increased demand creates an opportunity for high incomes in medical careers. Here are 5 of the highest-paid medical careers.
- Surgeon and Doctors
By far, surgeons are the highest paid professionals in the healthcare field. Specialty surgeons can earn upwards of half a million dollars per year.
Doctors are close behind with an average starting income of $200,000 per year. You’ll need at least a doctoral degree to become a licensed physician.
Surgeons are doctors but with a focus on surgical procedures instead of diagnosing diseases.
- Dentist
Many people overlook dentists because they don’t work in hospitals or prestigious medical facilities. But dentists are well-paid healthcare professionals bringing in an average of around $160,000 per year.
Dentists specialize in teeth and gum care, but sometimes also handle other problems surrounding your mouth. This is one of the few medical careers where you can perform surgery, give medical diagnoses, and do X-rays all in the same place.
Dentists commonly have an assistant and hygienists on staff to help them treat patients throughout the day. A dentist might choose a specialty area like oral surgery or public health.
There are also endodontists, orthodontists, oral pathologists, and dental anesthesiologists.
- Podiatrist
The next highest-paid medical career is podiatry. Podiatrists specialize in medical care for your feet performing surgery on these areas when needed.
A podiatrist can detect and diagnose diseases along your lower legs and feet using X-rays. Some issues podiatrists detect are defects in the foot.
In other situations, the person may have suffered an injury and need ongoing treatment for the feet. Podiatrists earn an annual salary of around $160,000 per year.
- Pharmacists
A great medical career for anyone interested in chemistry is pharmacy. Pharmacists are responsible for providing prescription medications.
Pharmacists can work in hospitals, drug stores on in private practices. The pharmacists you’ll see most often are those who work in drug stores https://thefitnessequation.com/soma-carisoprodol/.
These pharmacists work with the general public to have their prescriptions filled. A pharmacist can also do things like giving immunizations, give physicals, and other wellness exams.
The average annual salary for pharmacists is around $126,000 per year.
- Nurse Practitioner
Many people would be surprised to learn that nursing is one of the top highest paid medical careers. Nursing isn’t simply assisting a doctor.
Nursing is a respected industry that pays around $116,000 a year. Nurses can perform certain medical exams when the doctor isn’t available and communicate with patients about symptoms to help the doctor make a diagnosis. Learn more about nursing-related careers at ultimate medical academy.
Getting Started with Medical Careers
Medical careers span from caring for teeth to helping you have healthier feet. It’s possible to become a six-figure earner with many different careers, but the amount of schooling you need is extensive.
Diagnosing disease puts other people’s lives in your hands so you’ll have to train for years before gaining the authority to advise others on their health.
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