Top 10 Healthcare Jobs

Registered nurses coordinate and provide care to patients in hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, nursing care facilities and patients’ homes.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nurses was $75,330 in 2020. Employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 9% through 2030.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree is the industry standard for employment. It allows you to gain the foundational knowledge and skills you need for a career as a nurse.

Nebraska Methodist College’s (NMC) traditional BSN program can be completed in four years. You can begin taking classes right out of high school or transfer from another college. If you have an associate or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in the 12-month Accelerated BSN program.

Once you have your BSN, the next step is a Master of Science in Nursing, which develops skills and knowledge to allow you to take on leadership roles.

As a nurse with a terminal degree signifying the height of your profession, you’ll be uniquely qualified to provide holistic healthcare treatment.

The median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $117,670 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average projected job growth for nurse practitioners is 45% through 2030, much faster than average for all occupations. 

You can get a Doctor of Nursing Practice in three tracks: APRN to DNP, BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP. Within those tracks are four programs: family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and public health policy.

Physical therapist assistants follow a physical therapist’s plan of care to return patients to their maximum level of physical function after an injury or illness.

The median annual salary for physical therapist assistants was $49,970 in 2020. The average projected job growth is 32% through 2030, which is much faster than average for all occupations.

In less than two years, you can earn your Associate of Science and begin providing care specified by a physical therapist.

Occupational therapists (OT) provide individualized care to people who have been injured, diagnosed with a disability or are experiencing debilitating changes because of age. OT’s work in settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private clinics or patient homes.

The median annual salary for occupational therapists was $86,280 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The projected growth is 17% through 2030, faster than average for all occupations.

You can get your Master of Occupational Therapy. If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy, you can advance your studies with a Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate. You’ll hone your skills in the areas of clinical practice, research, administration, leadership, education and program development.

Respiratory therapists help patients who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and now, COVID-19.

The profession allows you to evaluate and treat diverse patients. The types of patients respiratory therapists work with include premature infants lacking fully developed lungs, adults suffering from labored breathing and older adults suffering from a disease.

The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $62,810 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is expected to grow 23% through 2030, much faster than average among all occupations. 

You can get a dual Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy if you’re already a registered respiratory therapist or an Associate of Science in Respiratory Care.

The healthcare industry is a revenue-generating business that requires capable leaders who can balance achieving revenue goals while meeting customers’ needs.

Healthcare managers and administrators play a crucial role in the success of patient care. They plan and direct health and medical departments or facilities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for healthcare managers was $104,280. The average growth rate for healthcare management jobs is much faster than average at 32% through 2030.

You can get a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare.

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging exams on patients and work in hospitals, clinics or other diagnostic imaging centers.

The median annual salary for radiologic technologists was $63,710 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is projected to grow 9% through 2030.

You can get an Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology, a 24-month program that includes hands-on experience at off-campus clinical sites.

As a Phlebotomist, you'll collect, transport, handle and process blood and other specimens for medical analysis. In addition, you'll work with both patients and other healthcare professionals.

Phlebotomists work in settings as varied as physician offices and medical clinics, hospitals and commercial laboratories.

Phlebotomists had a median annual salary of $36,320 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is expected to grow 22% through 2030.

You can become a phlebotomist during a nine-week hybrid course with a three-week clinical experience. Courses include online learning, on-campus laboratories and clinical externships at local hospitals and clinical laboratories.

Certified nursing assistants work closely with patients daily to provide essential care. They also assist healthcare providers with basic medical procedures. 

Nursing Assistant salaries in the United States vary by work setting and experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the median annual salary for nursing assistants was $30,830 in 2020. The projected growth rate is 8% through 2030.

You can become a certified nursing assistant by enrolling in a four-week on-campus program and a six-week online hybrid program.

Sonographers use advanced technology to generate images used for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary in 2020 for medical sonographers was $75,920 per year, with projected job growth of 19% from 2019 to 2029.

Cardiovascular Sonographer

A cardiovascular sonographer aids physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the cardiovascular system. Using ultrasound and other technology, sonographers collect and evaluate images of the heart, the heart valves and related blood vessels.

An Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography is a 21-month program. A Bachelor of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography is a four-year program. The first two years of the program are on campus, the third year combines online coursework with clinical fieldwork and the fourth year is online.

Completion of either program makes students eligible to take the adult echocardiography and vascular technology exams administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

A diagnostic medical sonographer is skilled in serving patients with unique psychological and social needs, including coping with fetal loss, breast cancer, infertility and the complexities of high-risk obstetrics.

The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a traditional four-year program that includes hands-on learning in high-tech labs, helping improve skills and confidence. Clinical rotations expose students to diverse populations, facilities and technology.

An Associate of Science in Multispecialty Sonography is a 21-month program. The program provides students with the knowledge and hands-on clinical training to become a certified sonographer.

Graduates can take exams administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).