Discover the best-paying jobs in health care in 2024

It’s no secret that doctors bring home juicy salaries. In fact, physicians and surgeons of all sorts get paid more than any other medical professional. And if we’re brutally honest, money is a big reason lots of people apply for med school.

But if you want to work in healthcare and make bank, becoming a doctor isn’t your only option.

Read on to discover the highest-paying jobs in the medical field, as well as the highest-paying doctor specializations (spoiler: surgeons beat pediatricians). As a bonus, we list some high-earning allied health careers that don’t require much schooling.

The highest-paying jobs in the medical field

Below are the best-paying jobs in health care. All data on median salaries is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

To determine the best-value degree programs for each profession, we use our signature economic score metric, a calculation that determines which programs offer the best combination of low net price (i.e., school cost after financial aid) and high earning potential, 4 years after graduation.

Read more about our methodology.

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1. Physician or surgeon

Median salary: $239,200

Education needed: Medical school (doctoral/professional degree)

Physicians and surgeons (aka doctors) diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, help people be healthy, and much more. Doctors usually specialize in one type of medicine, such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, or pediatrics.

To become a doctor, you’ll need to go to medical school and get an M.D. or a D.O. degree, after which you complete a residency. While the journey to becoming a doctor is arduous and expensive, the job is the best paid in healthcare.

Best-value med schools:

1. Columbia University
2. Stanford University
3. University of California, Davis

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2. Nurse anesthetist

Median salary: $212,650

Education needed: Master’s or doctorate in nursing practice

Nurse anesthetists are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) responsible for dosing and administering anesthetics. While you can become a registered nurse (RN) with an associate or a bachelor’s degree, nurse anesthetists will need a master’s, or in many cases, a doctoral-level degree. Most people with this job gain significant experience as RNs before upskilling to become nurse anesthetists. Nevertheless, the long journey is worth it – nurse anesthetists are the 2nd best-compensated professionals in medicine.

Best-value Master of Science in Nursing programs:

Texas A&M International University

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

Lourdes University

» Read: See our full list of the best master’s of science in nursing programs

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3. Dentist

Median salary: $170,910

Education needed: Dental school (doctoral/professional degree)

Dentists aren’t just sadists who enjoy asking you questions with their fingers in your mouth, they are also the 3rd highest-earners in the medical field. Dentists deal with health problems related to teeth and gums. Like doctors, dentists need to complete a rigorous post-graduate degree program (DDS), pass grueling exams, and do a residency.

Best-value dental schools:

1. East Carolina University
2. University of Connecticut
3. Texas A&M University, College Station

» Read: See our full list of the best-value dental programs in the U.S.

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4. Podiatrist

Median salary: $141,650

Education needed: Podiatry school (doctoral/professional degree)

Podiatrists are foot doctors: they provide medical care, including surgery, for your feet and ankles. Interestingly, podiatrists do not go to med school and get an M.D. Instead, they earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. Like doctors, they must complete a residency before getting licensed.

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5. Pharmacist

Median salary: $136,030

Education needed: Pharmacy school (doctoral/professional degree)

To become a pharmacist, you’ll need to earn a PharmD degree and get licensed. Remember that pharmacists aren’t just fancy cashiers for pills. They need to know the ins-and-outs of drug interactions and dosage, and in many cases, they work alongside doctors in hospital settings, ensuring patients get the right medications and monitoring their effects.

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6. Optometrist

Median salary: $131,860

Education needed: Optometry school (doctoral/professional degree)

Optometrists diagnose and treat medical problems of the eye. They also perform eye exams and prescribe lenses. Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists, who are eye surgeons, or opticians, who fit glasses. Optometrists must obtain a postgraduate Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree and pass an exam. Not all jurisdictions require optometrists to complete a residency.

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7. Physician assistant

Median salary: $130,020

Education needed: Master’s degree

Physician assistants (PAs) provide many similar services to physicians, and although they are not doctors, they can diagnose and treat some common illnesses. Many PAs work in underserved communities, providing vitally needed health care when there is a shortage of doctors. They often work under the supervision of an M.D.

To become a physician assistant, you will need to get a master’s degree in physician assistant studies, accumulate field experience, and pass the PANCE exam.

» Read: Discover the best PA programs that don’t require the GRE!

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8. Nurse midwife

Median salary: $129,650

Education needed: Master’s or doctorate in nursing practice

Like nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Nurse midwives help women deliver babies, also providing care pre- and post-birth. Some provide holistic care to women throughout all stages of their life. To become a nurse midwife, you’ll need at least a master’s degree in nursing.

Check out our full list of the best master’s of science in nursing programs.

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9. Nurse practitioner

Median salary: $128,490

Education needed: Master’s or doctorate in nursing practice

Nurse practitioners are APRNs who are authorized to provide many similar services to physicians, although they are not doctors. In many ways, their role resembles that of a physician assistant, although NPs approach their duties from a nursing perspective, meaning more emphasis is placed on holistic patient care.

To become an NP, you will need a master’s degree or a doctorate in nursing.

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10. Veterinarian

Median salary: $119,100

Education needed: Veterinary school (doctoral/professional degree)

Health care isn’t just for humans! Veterinarians are animal doctors who provide medical care for a variety of species, although most will focus on 1 of the 22 kinds of veterinary specializations, such as internal medicine, radiology, surgery, animal welfare, poultry veterinary medicine, or laboratory animal medicine.

To become a vet, you need to earn a DVM or VMD from a licensed vet school and pass the NAVLE exam.

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11. Medical equipment sales rep

Median salary: $113,520

Education needed: Bachelor’s degree

According to the BLS, sales representatives for technical and scientific products (which includes medical equipment) earn a surprisingly high median salary of $113,520. Medical equipment sales reps connect manufacturers of vital medical appliances with their clients, which are generally hospitals and doctors. They must have an in-depth knowledge of the items their company produces, as well as strong people skills.

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12. Medical and health services manager

Median salary: $110,680

Education needed: Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Medical and health services managers, such as hospital administrators, run the business side of health care. They oversee a hospital’s budget, staffing, and other administrative areas. Alternatively, health services managers may be responsible for a team of healthcare professionals, such as chief nursing officers. While many health services managers make do with only a bachelor’s, others seek a master’s, such as in healthcare administration.

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13. Post-secondary teacher, medicine

Median salary: $105,650

Education needed: Doctoral or master’s degree

Post-secondary teachers in medicine include professors and instructors of medicine, dentistry, public health, and laboratory technology. While 47% of college health science instructors have a doctorate, 32% have a master’s degree. Note that salaries could range widely depending on the type of health science taught. A cardiology professor at a prestigious research university will earn much more than a nursing instructor at a community college.

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14. Medical scientist

Median salary: $100,890

Education needed: Doctoral or master’s degree

Medical scientists conduct research to find better ways to heal patients and develop cutting-edge new treatments. About 50% have a PhD. Most work in offices and laboratories rather than directly with patients.

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15. Biomedical engineer

Median salary: $100,730

Education needed: Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Biomedical engineers leverage their knowledge of engineering and life sciences to develop medical equipment, computer systems, and software. This is a great option for people who want to work in medicine but are less interested in direct patient care.

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16. Physical therapist

Median salary: $100,730

Education needed: Doctorate/professional degree

Physical therapists help treat patients who are recovering from injuries that limit their movements. To become a PT, you will need to get a post-graduate DPT degree, pass the NPT exam, get licensed, and complete an optional residency.

Best value PT programs:

1. Northeastern University
2. Carroll University
3. Angelo State University

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17. Radiation therapist

Median salary: $98,300

Education needed: Associate degree

Radiation therapists are in charge of administering radiation to patients with cancer. This job happens to be the highest paying career on this list that only requires an associate degree. In fact, radiation therapists enjoy a higher median salary than some jobs that require a master’s.

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18. Occupational therapist

Median salary: $96,370

Education needed: Master’s degree

Much like physical therapists, occupational therapists (OTs) primarily work with people who have problems with movement and coordination due to an illness or injury. To become an OT, you’ll need a Master of Occupational Therapy.

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19. Genetic counselor

Median salary: $95,770

Education needed: Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree

Genetic counselors analyze patients’ genetic data to give them advice on potential inherited conditions or birth defects. Genetic counselors may work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, university health centers, or laboratories. 34% of genetic counselors have a master’s degree, and 34% have just a bachelor’s.

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20. Nuclear medicine technologist

Median salary: $92,500

Education needed: Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree

Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radioactive drugs, known as radiopharmaceuticals, to patients. They also use imaging equipment to capture what the radioactive material is doing in the body. Like radiation therapists, who have a similar role, this is one of the highest-paying careers with only an associate degree.

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21. Speech-language pathologist

Median salary: $89,290

Education needed: Master’s degree

Speech-language pathologists help people overcome speech and swallowing problems. Their patients are most often elderly people and children. To become an SLP, you will need a master’s in speech-language pathology. You will also need to pass the SLP Praxis exam, complete an internship, and get licensed.

» Read: Discover the best online speech-pathology master’s programs

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22. Diagnostic medical sonographer

Median salary: $89,020

Education needed: Associate degree

Medical sonographers, also known as ultrasound technicians, operate special sonography equipment to create images and perform tests. One common application of ultrasound technology is capturing images of fetuses in the womb, although ultrasound can be used for many other purposes as well. To become an ultrasound tech, you only need an associate degree.

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23. Audiologist

Median salary: $87,740

Education needed: Doctorate/professional degree

Audiologists help patients dealing with hearing or balance disorders. Your day-to-day duties will often involve administering hearing tests. Becoming an audiologist involves going to audiology school after your undergrad and getting an AuD degree. You will also need to take a Praxis examination, complete a year-long externship, and get licensed.

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24. Dental hygienist

Median salary: $87,530

Education needed: Associate degree

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, and provide preventive dental care. They also teach patients how to keep their teeth and gums healthy. This career is highly lucrative given that it only requires an associate degree.

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25. Registered nurse

Median salary: $86,070

Education needed: Associate degree or bachelor’s degree

Registered nurses provide patient care and educate patients about health conditions under the supervision of doctors or nurse practitioners. You can become an RN with an associate degree in nursing (ADN), but getting a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) may provide more career growth opportunities. Hospitals are always in need of new nurses, so you certainly won’t struggle to find a position after graduation. Nevertheless, remember that nursing is a stressful and demanding profession.

Best-value BSN programs:

1. CUNY Lehman College
2. CUNY Hunter College
3. Chipola College

» Read: See our full list of the best-value nursing programs in the country

Highest paying doctor specialties

We have already established that on average, physicians and surgeons earn more than any other healthcare professional. However, your salary as a doctor could vary significantly based on your choice of specialization.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not offer salary breakdowns for each type of doctor. Therefore, to compile a list of the highest and lowest-paying doctor specialties, we have relied on 2023 survey data from Doximity, which is a digital platform for medical professionals that 80% of doctors use.

According to Doximity, the highest-paid doctors are neurosurgeons, thoracic surgeons, and orthopedic surgeons.

Meanwhile, the lowest-paid doctors are pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric infectious disease specialists, and pediatric rheumatologists.

Highest-paying medical jobs with little schooling

Many high-paying jobs in healthcare require significant educational commitments. This time spent in school can take a large toll on your nerves and finances.

Fortunately, there are plenty of well-compensated medical jobs available with just an associate degree.

We list the top 15 highest-paying medical jobs with little schooling below. All salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The highest-paying medical jobs with only an associate degree are radiation therapist ($98,300 per year), nuclear medicine technologist ($92,500), and diagnostic medical sonographer ($89,020).

Final thoughts

There are many lucrative jobs in healthcare, no matter your education level – from med school to an associate degree. That makes pursuing a medical career a wise decision economically: because healthcare professionals are in such high demand, your investment in college is highly likely to pay off.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that some healthcare roles require mental tenacity. Many medical professionals – notably doctors and nurses – put in long, stressful hours and suffer from high rates of burnout.

On the other hand, some allied health careers more closely resemble 9-to-5 jobs: examples include audiologists, dental hygienists, and biomedical engineers.

Regardless of your career decision, remember that a degree is a big investment. Choose a high-value college to avoid drowning in debt after graduation.

See our rankings of the best national universities to discover what universities are offering the best value for money in the country.