The job outlook for health careers is very good, especially when compared to other industries that are experiencing huge unemployment rates. There are many different types of careers in the healthcare field, and these extend far beyond the jobs of doctors and nurses. There are, of course, many jobs related to patient care. There are also many jobs related to administration, management, laboratory technology, data entry and high-tech fields. And since there is no end in sight to the need for healthcare, most of these jobs have excellent outlooks and offer good benefits for those who qualify.
Consider the following information about the job outlook for health careers, including information about job statistics from the highly populous state of California:
Dental Assistants
The average annual wage for dental assistants in California is around $32,000, and the number of jobs in this field has nearly doubled in the past ten years.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
In California, diagnostic medical sonographers earn almost $61,000 per year on average and enjoy a good career outlook. This job requires more schooling than some others, but not nearly as much as doctors.
Massage Therapists
As the popularity of holistic and alternative healthcare providers grows, so does the demand for massage therapists. The average annual salary for massage and body work specialists in California is well over $36,000, and as long as people have sore muscles and seek comfort and relaxation, this job will continue to be a viable career option.
Medical Assistants
Although medical assistants don’t earn as much as some medical professionals with an average annual salary of around $29,000, the job requires less schooling than many careers, and it is an excellent way to get your foot in the door.
Medical Billing Specialists and Health Claims Examiners
These jobs deal more in the business, legal and financial aspects of our current healthcare system. The average annual salary of medical coders, insurance adjustors and other billing specialists is around $32,000, and the field continues to grow.
Pharmacy Technicians
With an average annual salary of nearly $34,000 and jobs in settings that range from hospitals and clinics to schools and government agencies to corporate and private retailers, there are many excellent opportunities for those trained to work as pharmacy technicians.
Surgical Technologists
The healthcare professionals that assist surgeons and surgical nurses can earn upwards of $40,000 per year and enjoy careers that are full of challenges and rewards in the operating rooms of hospitals around the nation.
