Which Allied Health Career is Right for You?
Healthcare is an ever-growing landscape and job opportunities will continue to increase, including roles in a variety of allied health fields. But which career path is right for you? Keep reading as we help you figure out how to answer this question for yourself.
You know you want a career in healthcare. But with so many options in allied health, choosing the right path can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re looking for a fast track into the field with a certification program, or perhaps you’re open to a longer degree program if it leads to higher earning potential. Either way, you want a stable, in-demand job that aligns with your skills, interests, and career goals.
Allied health is a diverse and ever-growing field, with roles ranging from direct patient care to behind-the-scenes lab work and administrative support. But which one is the best fit for you? Before diving into the details, take our quick quiz to see which allied health careers match your strengths and preferences. Then, explore key information on education requirements, salaries, and job outlooks to make an informed decision about your future.
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Recommendations
- Healthcare Management
- Healthcare Administration
- Veterinary Assistant
Snapshots: Careers & Degrees in Allied Health
Now that you know which careers are a good fit for you, it’s time to research the education requirements and professional experience needed to enter each allied health field. To get you started on your search, we created career snapshots that outline what each job entails, the average salary, and the education requirements. These snapshots are just a beginning; to learn more about each profession, check out our in-depth guides for any field you’re interested in.
Biomedical Technician
If you like to tinker with technical equipment, you might find a career as a biomedical technician fulfilling. These technicians maintain and repair healthcare technology. They deal with critical equipment in healthcare practices; the demand for individuals with this skill set is rapidly growing.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$60,670
Est. Growth Rate:
18%
Education Required:
Associate Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Biomedical Technician Degrees Online
Dental Assistant
A dental assistant provides care alongside a dentist and dental hygienists. Dental assistants are responsible for taking x-rays, keeping records, and managing appointments. Their job is critical for the everyday operations of dental offices. The demand for dental assistants is growing faster than most fields.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$46,540
Est. Growth Rate:
8%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Dental Assistant Programs Online
Dental Hygienist
Like a dental assistant, a dental hygienist works in a dentist’s office. Dental hygienists are responsible for cleaning teeth and examining patients for various dental conditions, such as gingivitis or cavities. They also provide dental hygiene care in most offices.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$87,530
Est. Growth Rate:
9%
Education Required:
Associate Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Dental Hygiene Programs Online
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers often work in cardiology or OB GYN departments, though they can work anywhere that utilizes sonography procedures and ultrasounds. Often they perform the tests, though a doctor reads and interprets the results. Specific technical knowledge is needed and an associate degree is required for this role.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$80,850
Est. Growth Rate:
11%
Education Required:
Associate Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Sonography and Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Online
Dialysis Technician
With more Americans fighting kidney disease than ever before, the demand for dialysis technicians is growing. A dialysis technician helps operate specialized equipment for kidney dialysis. Many certificate programs needed for this job can be completed in as little as three months.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$60,780
Est. Growth Rate:
5%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Dialysis Technician Programs Online
EMT
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are responsible for getting patients to the hospital in emergency situations. They not only respond to emergency calls, but they also perform medical procedures as they transport patients to the hospital in ambulances. The demand for this service is high, with minimal training needed to enter the field.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$44,780
Est. Growth Rate:
6%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: EMT Programs Online
Nutritionist
A nutritionist educates the public on healthy living practices; one path into this field is a degree in nutrition. Health education specialists or nutritionists work one on one with patients or perform large, community-based health interventions. The demand for health education specialists is expected to grow rapidly in the next ten years.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$62,860
Est. Growth Rate:
7%
Education Required:
Bachelor’s Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Nutrition Degree Programs Online
Health Information Management Clerk
Health information management clerks manage patient records, test results, and appointment schedules. Often they work in bigger facilities and must coordinate between different medical departments. They are less likely to work with more complicated informatics technologies and less training may be required as compared to the training needed to become a medical informatics technician.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$48,780
Est. Growth Rate:
9%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Health Information Management Programs Online
Histotechnician
If you want to enter the field of histology, or the study of microscopic anatomy, becoming a histotechnician might be a good job for you. These professionals study the anatomy of cells from animals and plants and often work in medical research facilities. This job makes an impact in the field of medical research instead of through patient interaction.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$60,780
Est. Growth Rate:
5%
Education Required:
Bachelor’s Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Histotechnician Degree Programs Online
Home Health Aide
Home health aides serve those who wish to live in their own home but are unable to perform everyday tasks without help. Most patients are senior citizens or those with special needs. Because a home health aide’s role is in the home, their hours can be different from a traditional office job and may require more one-on-one contact with a patient compared with other allied health careers.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$33,530
Est. Growth Rate:
21%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Home Health Aide Certificate Programs Online
Human Service Assistant
Human service assistants work in a variety of fields, though most often in social work facilities. They may also work in the offices of psychologists and in rehabilitation centers. Often, their work includes providing client services.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$41,410
Est. Growth Rate:
8%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Human Services Degree Programs Online
Kinesiology
Kinesiologists focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries and illnesses that affect the muscles and bones. Kinesiologists often work at schools, hospitals, fitness centers, physicians’ offices, and for sports teams.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$54,860
Est. Growth Rate:
10%
Education Required:
Bachelor’s Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Kinesiology Degree Programs Online
Massage Therapist
Massage therapists manipulate muscles and skin tissue to help clients get relief from physical pain caused by a variety of conditions. The demand for specialists in this field is growing faster than other fields. Massage therapists work in spas, fitness facilities, hotels, and hospitals.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$55,310
Est. Growth Rate:
18%
Education Required:
Associate Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Massage Therapy Programs Online
Medical Administrative Assistant
A medical administrative assistant performs a variety of administrative duties in medical facilities. They often must have an in-depth knowledge of medical terminology. Because of this, an associate degree is usually required.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$40,640
Est. Growth Rate:
15%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Medical Administrative Assistant Programs Online
Medical Assistant
A medical assistant completes different administrative and technical duties in medical offices. They work in any size medical facility, from smaller physician’s offices to hospitals. Many enter the field with only a high school diploma, but an associate degree is often needed for more technical medical assistant positions.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$42,000
Est. Growth Rate:
15%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Medical Assistant Programs Online
Medical Biller and Coder
A medical biller works in financial operations for a medical facility. Medical billers process bills, discuss bills with patients’ health insurance companies, and complete other billing responsibilities. Many code and sort medical information as well.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$48,780
Est. Growth Rate:
9%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Medical Billing and Coding Programs Online
Medical Health and Services Manager
A medical health and services manager performs a variety of administrative functions at hospitals and smaller medical facilities. Unlike managers in other industries, medical health and services managers need specific training in medical terminology and management. Their job often includes acting as a liaison between medical professionals, administrative professionals, and the public.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$110,680
Est. Growth Rate:
29%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Healthcare Administration Degree Programs Online
Medical Informatics Technician
A medical informatics technician helps healthcare facilities organize their healthcare information, sorting, coding, and organizing data so it’s usable across hospital departments. These technicians spend most of their days in front of a computer, so some technical knowledge is required. Often you can get the needed technical knowledge in a certification or associate’s program.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$48,780
Est. Growth Rate:
9%
Education Required:
Postsecondary Certificate/Diploma
For a Deeper Dive: Health Informatics Programs Online
Medical Lab Technician
A medical lab technician works in a medical laboratory. This technician interacts with pat60octor delivers results to the patient.
Avg. Salary (Annual)
$60,780
Est. Growth Rate:
5%
Education Required:
Bachelor’s Degree
For a Deeper Dive: Medical Lab Technician Degree Programs Online
Interview with a Career Advisor
To give you more insight on what to expect as you pursue your degree and start your allied health career, we sat down with Cassie Spencer. As a career coach, Cassie has worked with hundreds of students, young professionals, career changers, and job seekers to prepare them to make their next career move. Prior to working full time as a freelance career coach, Cassie worked on college campuses, coaching students in career exploration, managing internship programs, and providing students with the tools and resources to develop resumes, write cover letters, search for jobs, and explore their career options.
Cassie is the co-host of the podcast Your Career GPS and is the host of Happenstance the Podcast. She also shares career-related content on social media at @CareerCoachCassie.
Q: Who should consider an allied health career?
A: Anyone who has an interest in helping others, working in a more hands-on environment, or working in healthcare settings should consider allied health as a career path.
Q: There are so many different allied health careers. What strategies do you recommend for people to choose the right one for them?
A: Taking the time to research and learn about the different career options within allied health is a great first step. Speaking with professionals who are currently working in or who previously worked in the different roles that you’re considering is a great way to not only expand your network but also to learn even more about your options and how others have navigated their own decision making when entering the allied health profession. When possible, shadowing, volunteering, or completing internships that allow you to get that first-hand experience in different settings is also a great way to really solidify your interests.
Q: What do people need to know before entering an allied health career?
A: Before entering any field or industry, I think it’s important for students, career changers, and job seekers to truly evaluate what’s important to them, what they value, and the lifestyle they want to have outside of work. Every career, job, and industry comes with different benefits and challenges. Knowing what’s important to you at work and outside of work can help you make career decisions that align with both.
Q: What career development tools are available to those pursuing an allied health career?
A: There are a number of professional organizations and associations dedicated to allied health and the various specialties within the field. Many professional organizations and associations provide networking opportunities, certifications, professional development, and continuing education courses, in addition to job boards and other career resources.
Q: What is one way that students can set themselves up for a successful allied health career?
A: The number-one way that students can set themselves up for a successful allied health career is to gain experience. Seeking out opportunities to work in different healthcare-related environments and to work with different populations is a great way to explore your options and to gain experience that will set you up for success. It’s also important to remember that “gaining experience” can be done in a variety of ways. Shadowing, volunteering, internships, and part-time jobs are just some examples.
