Three Top Jobs in Healthcare

The U.S. healthcare landscape is rapidly changing—and for the better, when it comes to those in the job market. Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029—much faster than the average for all occupations—adding nearly 2.4 million new jobs.¹ This projection is for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations as well as healthcare support occupations. And with an aging population, the demand for healthcare services will only continue to increase.

There are a lot of roles within the healthcare industry, such as home health aide, nurse practitioner, medical records technician, and health information technician. Below, we outline three of the top jobs in healthcare based on earning potential and growth rate.²

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

• Median Salary: $115,800
• Predicted Rise in Employment: 45% (2019–2029)
• Minimum Required Education: Master’s

Becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) positions you to earn one of the top three salaries for non-physician healthcare occupations. To serve in this role—including as a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner—you must earn a specialized master’s degree in nursing, become licensed in the state where you will practice, and pass a national certification exam. APRNs coordinate patient care and provide both specialty and primary healthcare in a variety of settings, including clinics, primary care offices, and hospitals.

Medical and Health Services Manager

• Median Salary: $100,980
• Predicted Rise in Employment: 32% (2019–2029)
• Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s

Becoming a medical and health services manager—also referred to as a healthcare administrator or healthcare executive—enables you to tap into the same high salary as positions that require an advanced degree.³ Professionals in this role plan, coordinate, and direct health and medical services, as well as communicate evolving healthcare laws, regulations, and technology. Upon earning a higher degree—like a Master of Healthcare Administration or a Doctor of Healthcare Administration—a medical and health services manager may be qualified to manage a facility, clinical area, department, or medical practice for a group of physicians.

Registered Nurse

• Median Salary: $73,300
• Predicted Rise in Employment: 15% (2016–2026)
• Preferred Minimum Education: Bachelor’s

A registered nurse (RN) primarily focuses on delivering high-quality patient care. This includes educating patients on various health conditions and providing advice and emotional support to patients and their families. While many nursing professionals become registered nurses by earning an associate degree in nursing (ADN), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommends registered nurses to earn their BS in Nursing (BSN).³ One of the surest ways to accomplish this is to enroll in an RN-BSN completion program at an accredited university. Once completed, consider pursuing your master’s in nursing to advance your career even further. As healthcare evolves, more emphasis is placed on preventative care, addressing increased rates of chronic conditions, and providing the services needed by the aging baby boomer population. This positions those serving in a nursing role to contribute to a growing field that is expected to add over 220,000 jobs by 2029.⁴

Advance Your Career in Healthcare by Earning Your Degree at Walden University

The healthcare industry is experiencing the largest area of economic growth in the U.S.,⁵ creating a steady rise in positions from healthcare administration and healthcare management to nurse mentoring and nursing education. And as the field continues to evolve, so should your skills. When you earn your master’s from Walden in a healthcare-related field, you position yourself for a variety of opportunities—including access to the industry’s top jobs. For instance, in Walden’s Master of Science in Nursing program, you can gain the skills you need to elevate patient care and impact healthcare as it continues to evolve.

At Walden, an accredited university, you can earn your degree online while you continue to work full time. That means you don’t have to put your career on hold while you advance your skills. With online learning, there’s no need to completely rearrange your schedule or commute to campus—you can take classes at whatever time of day works best for you as you work to earn your degree and position yourself to excel in the healthcare field.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a BS in Healthcare Management, a Master of Healthcare Administration, and a Doctor of Healthcare Administration program online, as well as a suite of nursing programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm
²Source: www.healthcare-management-degree.net/highest-paid-non-physician-jobs-in-healthcare
³Source: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/impact-of-education
⁴Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
⁵Source: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/5-out-of-20-fastest-growing-industries-from-2019-to-2029-are-in-healthcare-and-social-assistance.htm?view_full