There are many incentives to begin a allied health career.  Besides employing over 13 million wage and salary workers in 2004 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), allied health job creation is projected to grow 20% by 2014 – that translates to long-term job security.   The majority of these positions will be in a sector of health care called Allied Health.  Allied Health defines most health professions except for dentists, nurses, and physicians and comprises more than 60% of the total healthcare workforce in California.  There are 8 rapidly developing careers in this job market. Reviewing expected employment growth and average salary of the top 8 allied health careers would assist in determining which path to choose.

Top 8 List of Allied Health Careers:

Medical Assisting: These health care professionals perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of health practitioners running smoothly.  Completing a medical assistant degree program online or on campus is required to enter this profession. A one-year certificate program or an associate degree is the shortest path to employment. This is anticipated to be the fastest growing health care job through 2014 and by grow by 35% through 2016 (BLS).  The average salary is $24,610 (BLS).

Nutrition and Dietetics: This career path can include positions that help to prevent and treat illnesses through assessing the dietary needs of an individual or of a group.  An associate degree creates a foundation for a bachelor or graduate program in this field.
The Expected Employment Growth is 9% through 2018, which is consistent growth for all occupations (BLS).  The average salary for dietitians and nutritionists is $43,630 (BLS).

Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapists treat patients with problems that impair their physical well-being and help them to improve their everyday living and working abilities. This field requires a Master of Science and/or doctorate degree.  The expected employment growth is 23% through 2016 (BLS), which is a faster growth rate than other occupations.  The average salary in 2008 was $66,780 (BLS).

Pharmacy Assistant (AA degree) and Pharmacist (PharmD degree):  These two careers both dispense prescriptions to patients. There are different, yet attractive elements to each occupation when considering growth rate and average salaries.

Pharmacy Assistants employment growth rate is 25% by 2018, which is faster than most occupations and the average salary is $28,070 (BLS).  Pharmacist employment growth rate is 17% and the average salary is $109,108 (BLS).

Physical Therapy: Physical therapists help patients heal from injuries, diseases or age-related problems that impair their physical well-being.  It is a career path that has high levels of education requirements with a Masters of Science or Doctorate being needed to enter the profession.  The employment growth rate is 27% by 2018 with an average salary of $74,480 (BLS).

Biomedical Science: Scientists in this field can procure positions in many different aspects of research.  Earning a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences can secure a position to become a lead investigator in medical research or as a professor preparing others in the field. The expected employment growth rate for a lead scientist is 40% by 2018, making it one of the fastest growing fields and the average salary is $74,490 (BLS).  The expected employment growth rate for professors is 15% during the same period with the average salary being $73,980 (BLS).

Radiologic Technologist: This type of technolgist performs diagnostic imaging examinations (x-rays and magnetic resonance). The education requirements can be met at the certificate, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree level.  The expected employment growth rate is 17% through 2018, faster than the average of all occupations.  The average salary for a radiologic technologist is $53,240 (BLS).

Healthcare Management (MBA/Masters): Most of the non-clinical aspects of healthcare are managed by this group of professionals.  For example, they can oversee human resources departments in hospitals and supervise medical assistants in physician’s offices. Completing an accredited healthcare MBA online in administration or management is the best way to qualify for this profession. The expected employment growth rate is 16% through 2016, which is a faster than average rate when compared to all occupations and has an average salary of $81,850 (BLS).

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