Guide to Health Science Careers (2022) - High-Growth & High-Paying
Search For Schools
When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
The term “health science” encompasses a wide range of disciplines related to healthcare delivery at the intersection of engineering, science, math, and technology. Health sciences subfields include bioinformatics, clinical research, and health information technology.
According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (2021), jobs in healthcare are projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030—higher than the average predicted job growth for all occupations during that same period and adding 2.6 million new jobs nationally.
The BLS explains that this rise in demand is due to aging Baby Boomers living longer and seeking more services, and because of increased access to healthcare coverage for the general population in the United States. Because of the growing need for healthcare workers in the upcoming decade, there’s expected to be plenty of opportunities for employees with varying degrees of formal education.
These ten careers in health sciences meet the following criteria (with rare exceptions):
- It’s predicted to grow 8 percent (or more) from 2020 to 2030, the average for all occupations in the US during this time period.
- It pays more than the median annual salary of all U.S. occupations: $41,960.
Please note that all career outlook and salary data was taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS OOH)—the latest figures available as of November 2021.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Diagnostic sonographers, also referred to as ultrasound technicians, work closely with physicians and surgeons, taking images that help doctors or surgeons to diagnose health conditions or injuries. They might also capture pictures before, during, or after surgery. Diagnostic medical sonographers know how to prepare imaging equipment, and how to use this equipment properly to capture the types of images desired by doctors.
Jobs and Pay
Jobs for diagnostic medical sonographers are expected to grow 19 percent in the decade preceding 2030 with the projected employment going up to 90,300. The median pay for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2020 was $75,920, with those in the lowest 10 percent earning less than $53,790, but those in the upper 10 percent earning more than $105,340.
Education
Associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs are generally available to help students prepare to enter the diagnostic medical sonography field.
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College offers an associate of applied science program in diagnostic medical sonography preparing students for entry-level employment as competent general sonographers in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
This 72-credit program includes coursework in anatomy and physiology; developmental psychology; abdominal sonography; advanced obstetrical and gynecological sonography; and introduction to vascular ultrasound. Graduates will be eligible to take the ARDMS Abdomen Exam or the ARRT sonography exam.
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($155 per credit); out-of-state ($331.60 per credit)
An online bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography is available through Oregon Tech Online. Please note that this is a degree completion program, meaning that students must already have prior education in the field. Applicants to the program must be registered diagnostic sonographers. This online degree completion program integrates basic medical science with ultrasound courses and a general education core.
Courses for the bachelor’s degree include sonographic pathology; musculoskeletal sonography; fetal echocardiography; survey of vascular technology; and obstetrical pathology.
- Location: Klamath Falls, OR
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: $281 per credit
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians use imaging tools to create vascular pictures of the hearts and the lungs. These pictures are used by doctors to determine the presence of any health conditions. Technologists and technicians also may be able to specialize in cardiac catheterization, which is the threading of a catheter through an artery to the heart, or in performing electrocardiograms of the heart.
Jobs and Pay
Job opportunities for cardiovascular technologists and technicians are projected to increase 8 percent in upcoming years (2020-30) with the projected employment going up to 63,000. The median pay for these health science workers was $59,100, with pay in the lower tenth percentile falling below $30,140 and in the upper tenth percentile, reaching above $96,790.
Education
Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees can be found in the field. Two available programs are briefly described below.
Southern Maine Community College
An associate’s degree in cardiovascular technology is available through Southern Maine Community College. The program prepares students with the necessary skills required to work with medical professionals in electrocardiography or stress laboratories, cardiac surgery, echocardiography departments, or cardiac catheterization laboratories.
Students learn about medical electronics and instrumentation, applied cardiovascular procedures, and cardiovascular physiology, selecting between invasive cardiology or echocardiography track. Comprising 88 credits, the curriculum includes courses such as anatomy and physiology; electrocardiogram interpretation; vascular imaging and pathology; cardiovascular physiology; clinical hemodynamics; and echocardiography. Graduates will be eligible to take either the RCS or the RCIS exam.
- Location: South Portland, Maine
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: Six semesters
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($96 per credit); out-of-state ($192 per credit)
The University of South Carolina, in Columbia, offers a 128-credit bachelor of science degree in cardiovascular technology. The program includes core education classes as well as in-depth learning in areas like biology and chemistry. Students also complete a cardiovascular training program that is accredited through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology as part of the “major” component of their program.
Preparing students to work directly with heart patients, the program provides students with the necessary training for immediately beginning their careers as licensed Cardiovascular Technologists. This clinical training program combines didactic and clinical coursework to prepare students for national registration. Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: cell and molecular biology; comparative vertebrate anatomy; fundamental genetics; principles of biochemistry; general physiology; and organic chemistry.
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 22 months
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($12,688); non-resident ($33,928)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians analyze samples that come from the human body, including tissue samples, blood, and urine. Laboratory technologists and technicians may also study different blood samples to see if these can be used in transfusions. They are comfortable with different types of laboratory equipment, including microscopes and cell counters.
Jobs and Pay
The number of openings in the U.S. for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is predicted to grow 11 percent (2020-30), adding 36,500 new jobs. The median pay for technologists in 2020 was $54,180. Those in the lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,450, while those in the upper 10 percent earned $83,700 or more.
Education
Technicians generally need to have an associate’s degree to enter the field while technologists must have a bachelor’s or higher. Two programs are described below.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology that requires 76 credits. The program was created to help students prepare for careers in businesses, clinics, labs, and other settings. Students in the program can explore areas as diverse as cell marker technology, cancer, and the immune system.
The program is accredited through the national accrediting agency for clinical laboratory sciences. the curriculum includes courses such as hematology; medical terminology; medical microbiology; clinical correlations; and clinical microscopy. Graduates will be eligible to sit for national certification exams.
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: Six semesters
- Estimated Tuition: $7,971
Louisiana State University at Alexandria
At Louisiana State University at Alexandria, students can complete a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science completely online. Advanced coursework is offered in subjects such as clinical chemistry; hematology; pathogenic microbiology; molecular diagnostics; biochemistry; organic chemistry; and survey of virology and more. The faculty of the program includes experienced and dedicated professionals preparing students for a challenging, dynamic, and exciting career in the healthcare sector.
Applicants to the program must have graduated from an MLT or CLT associate degree program accredited by the NAACLS and must currently hold certification as an MLT(ASCP), CLT(NCA), or equivalent. The program is made up of a total of 120 credits.
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: $291 per credit
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Medical records and health information technicians document patient information, noting details such as medical history, symptoms, and test results. They may code this health information for later use, or organize and classify it for certain types of registries. Health information technicians work closely with registered nurses and other healthcare practitioners.
Jobs and Pay
Openings for medical records and health information technicians are expected to grow by 9 percent, adding 37,100 new positions around the country between 2020 and 2030. The median pay for those in the field was $51,840 in 2020. Pay for the lowest 10 percent was under $29,130, and pay for the upper 10 percent was above $105,690.
Education
A postsecondary non-degree program or an associate’s degree can help enter the field. Two programs are described below.
Ashworth College offers an online certificate in electronic medical records or EMRs. Students in this program learn about the functionality and importance of electronic medical records receiving hands-on training with two clouds based EMR systems.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as adding, editing, storing, and retrieving patient information; generating billing and coding reports; using provider databases for facilitating continuity of care; assisting clinicians and providers with charting functions; and identifying information errors. The program places special emphasis on the professional standards for EMRs, guidelines for the release of information, and HIPAA security and privacy.
- Location: Norcross, GA
- Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: Less than one year
- Estimated Tuition: $299
Rasmussen College offers an associate’s degree in health information technology (HIT). The 18-month program includes coursework in an introduction to health information management; revenue cycle management; management and leadership in health information; healthcare statistics and data management; and healthcare technologies. Students can complete the program on-campus or opt for a blended choice.
Students in this program learn in virtual labs and real work settings, gaining advanced skills in revenue cycle management, information policy, healthcare technologies, data management, and more. Graduates will be prepared to take the AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam and will be ready to take positions such as Health information technicians, Patient care coordinators, Revenue cycle reimbursement specialists, Release of information specialists, and Electronic health records specialists.
- Location: Bloomington, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission; Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
- Estimated Tuition: $269 per credit
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radioactive drugs. These healthcare professionals monitor imaging equipment, make sure necessary images are created for doctors, and ensure patients respond adequately to the drugs they were given. Nuclear medicine technologists also maintain records about the procedures done and dispose of any used materials following safety procedures.
Jobs and Pay
The growth in openings for nuclear medicine technologists is expected to reach 8 percent between 2020 and 2030, resulting in 1,400 new opportunities. Median pay in 2020 for technologists was $79,590. Those in the lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,830, and those in the upper 10 percent earned more than $109,070.
Education
Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees are available in nuclear medicine technology. Two programs are described below.
Gateway Community College in New Haven, Connecticut, offers an associate of science degree in medical nuclear technology that includes 22 months of academic and clinical coursework. Students can learn about diagnostic procedures, radiopharmaceuticals, radionuclide therapy, transmission imaging, patient care, and quality control.
Consisting of 60 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to nuclear medicine; nuclear medicine procedures; physics in nuclear medicine; nuclear medicine instrumentation; and radiopharmacy, among others. On successful completion, graduates may apply to take the certifying board examinations administered by the ARRT and the NMTCB.
- Location: New Haven, CT
- Accreditation: Board of Governors for Higher Education and the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT)
- Expected Time to Completion: 22 months
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($166 per credit); out-of-state ($498 per credit)
Thomas Edison State University
A bachelor of science (BS) degree in nuclear medicine technology is available through Thomas Edison State University. This program enables mid-career adult professionals in a variety of applied fields to meet their professional and educational needs while completing this baccalaureate degree.
The program comprises 120 credits and includes courses such as radiation or nuclear physics; radiochemistry or radiopharmacy; radiation biology and protection; clinical practice; and nuclear medicine technology techniques. Graduates will be prepared for certifications such as ARRT-RT, or NMTCB-CNMT, or NJ-LNMT.
- Location: Trenton, NJ
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: New Jersey residents ($399 per credit); out-of-state residents ($519 per credit)
Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians are usually employed in hospitals or retail pharmacies and assist pharmacists in dispensing medications. They may collect patient information regarding health insurance, get prescriptions ready for a pharmacist, or put labels on packages. Pharmacy technicians may also answer the phone or enter information about prescriptions into computer systems.
Jobs and Pay
Jobs for pharmacy techs are expected to grow by 4 percent, adding 16,600 new positions between 2020 and 2030. The median pay for pharmacy technicians was $35,100 in 2020, with those in the lowest 10 percent earning less than $25,400. Those in the upper 10 percent earned more than $50,430.
Education
Students may be able to find a job with only a high-school diploma, but a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree may be helpful. Two pharmacy technician programs are described below.
San Francisco State University
Students can complete an online Pharmacy Tech Certificate program at San Francisco State University through the College of Extended Learning. This online course includes 24/7 mentoring, interactive learning modules, labs, learning exercises, and a student portal with career resources. The program includes an 80-hour clinical externship.
Graduates are prepared to work as pharmacy technicians in retail or other pharmacy settings and to take the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) exam. This course covers the topics such as basic biopharmaceutics, factors affecting drug activity, drug regulation and control, inventory management and financial issues, parenteral and compounding, and pharmacy measures and abbreviations.
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Six months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,399
North Seattle College offers an associate of applied science degree and a certificate program in pharmacy technician. Students in these programs learn basic pharmacy skills such as reading prescriptions, medication preparation, and order entry. The AAS degree comprises 91 credits while the certificate consists of 56 credits.
Coursework includes medical terminology; pharmacy calculations; pharmacy records management; pharmacology; pharmacy technology; and pharmacy law and ethics. Graduates can take up roles such as retail pharmacy technicians, physician assistants, inventory management pharmacy technicians, long-term care pharmacy technicians, and non-sterile compounding technicians.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Accreditation: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
- Expected Time to Completion: AAS (24 months); certificate (nine months)
- Estimated Tuition: WA state residents ($1,555 per quarter); international students ($3,298 per quarter)
Radiologic and MRI Technologists
Radiologic and MRI technologists complete tasks such as doing X-rays and operating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. They help to prepare patients for procedures and are skilled at imaging the area or areas indicated by a physician. They also know how to shield a patient from unnecessary radiation. They are part of a larger healthcare team, including physicians, who use the images to help determine if any disease or injury exists.
Jobs and Pay
Jobs for radiologic and MRI technologists are expected to grow by 9 percent between 2020 and 2030, adding 21,600 new positions. The median salary for MRI technologists was $74,690, but those in the lowest 10 percent made less than $52,880 and those in the upper 10 percent earned more than $104,210.
Radiologic technologists and technicians earned an annual median wage of $61,900, with the lowest 10 percent making less than $42,180 and those in the upper 10 percent earning more than $92,660.
Education
An associate’s degree is generally needed to enter the field, but bachelor’s degrees and graduate certificates are also available. Two postsecondary programs are described below.
The associate’s degree in radiography from Pima Medical Institute helps students to understand how to operate diagnostic medical imaging tools such as X-ray machines. Students at Pima learn about anatomy, equipment, radiation safety, and examination techniques.
Consisting of 87 credits, the program includes courses such as anatomy and physiology; medical terminology; radiography; medical law and ethics; radiographic biology; and pathology. Graduates will be ready to take up roles such as radiologic technologists, x-ray technologists, or other specialties at hospitals, clinics, diagnostic imaging centers, physicians’ offices, and outpatient care centers.
- Location: Albuquerque, NM
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools; Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $2,728 per credit
At Rush University in Chicago, students can pursue a bachelor of science in imaging science. Students learn about different imaging types, including computed tomography (65 credits), MRI (74 credits), vascular-interventional radiography (65 credits), and cardiac-interventional radiography.
The program can be completed full- or part-time and either on-campus or online. The curriculum includes courses such as pathophysiology; computed tomography physics; pathophysiology; vascular interventional technology; introduction to imaging sciences; MRI physics; and sectional anatomy & pathology.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 21 to 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $876 per credit
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are skilled at drawing blood from patients to be used for donations, specific tests, insurance coverage, research, or transfusions. Phlebotomists know how to find veins in a patient or donor, insert needles, take appropriate amounts of blood, and label vials of blood so that they can be tracked and accurately screened.
Jobs and Pay
Phlebotomists can expect to see job opportunities swell 22 percent with 28,800 new positions created in the decade preceding 2030. The median annual salary for health science workers in this field was $36,320. Individuals in the lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,690, and those in the upper 10 percent earned more than $50,740.
Education
Typically, a postsecondary diploma or certificate can help individuals to obtain the skills needed to enter the field. Examples of two programs are provided below.
Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls, SD, offers a certificate program in phlebotomy that can be completed in just one semester. The 10-credit program includes coursework in phlebotomy; phlebotomy lab; and clinical practice. At Southeast Technical College, phlebotomy training includes instruction in venipuncture techniques, as well as locating veins, storing and labeling samples, and applying tourniquets. The program focuses on clinical training and hands-on instruction in a lab.
Upon completion, graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of safety and infection control, identify the necessary equipment for various venipuncture and capillary puncture, and implement the proper steps to obtaining blood specimens and proper blood specimen handling.
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: One semester
- Estimated Tuition: $249 per credit
Lonestar College in Woodlands, Texas, has developed a phlebotomist certificate program that requires 144 hours of education work and clinical work offered through the school’s Career & Technical Education Department. Students who finish the program may be able to sit for testing offered through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) or the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).
Graduates will be able to dispose of contaminated sharps following applicable standards, policies, and laws, draw blood from veins, dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids, collect specimens, collect fluid or tissue samples, and provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis. Graduates can take up roles such as phlebotomists, phlebotomy technicians, and medical assistants.
- Location: Woodlands, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 144 contact hours
- Estimated Tuition: In-District ($90 per credit); out-of-district ($202 per credit); international ($257 per credit)
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists help patients to breathe better, particularly if they are suffering from a condition like asthma, emphysema, or a chronic respiratory issue. The job also may require respiratory therapists to offer emergency care to anyone who is in shock, having a heart attack, or suffering from a life-threatening condition.
Jobs and Pay
Jobs for respiratory therapists are expected to increase by 23 percent between 2020 and 2030, adding 31,100 new positions nationwide. Respiratory therapists earned median annual pay of $62,810 in 2020. Respiratory therapists in the lowest 10 percent earned $45,940, while those in the upper 10 percent earned $89,170.
Education
An associate’s degree is generally acceptable for entry into the field, but students can also choose to enroll in a bachelor’s level degree program. Details on two respiratory therapy programs are provided below.
Platt College in Southern California allows students to complete an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy in as few as 20 months. Students complete both general coursework and gain clinical experience. Students who complete Platt College’s program may be eligible to take credentialing exams offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Comprising 128.5 quarter-credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to respiratory therapy; respiratory clinical care; intensive care therapy; newborn and pediatric respiratory; and anatomy and physiology. After completing this program, graduates will be ready to sit for the entry-level (CRT) NBRC exam and the advanced level (RRT) exams.
- Location: Alhambra, CA
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC); Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
- Expected Time to Completion: 20 months
- Estimated Tuition: $16,935
At Mizzou Online, available through the University of Missouri, students can complete a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy. Students in this program will be able to provide hands-on care assisting in the recovery and management of several medical conditions. The program is available completely online and covers coursework in clinical ethics; adult critical care; advanced mechanical ventilation; pediatric respiratory care; community and patient education; and pulmonary rehabilitation.
The University of Missouri is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission. Graduates may be employed as department managers, advanced clinicians, clinical and academic educators, medical equipment industry leaders, community educators, and consultants.
- Location: Columbia, MO
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Varies
- Estimated Tuition: $13,095.60
Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists help to prepare rooms for surgery by ensuring that equipment is sterile and organized. During surgery, technologists assist doctors by providing tools and equipment to a surgeon carrying out a procedure on a patient. They are the ones preparing operating rooms for surgeries, sterilizing equipment, making patients ready for surgery, and maintaining a sterile environment.
Jobs and Pay
Jobs for surgical technologists are expected to grow by 9 percent in the decade before 2030, adding 9,500 new jobs in the U.S. Median pay in the field was $49,710. Earners in the lowest 10 percent made below $34,120, while those in the upper 10 percent earned more than $73,110.
Education
A postsecondary non-degree program can provide a way to enter the field, and there are many undergraduate degrees available as well. Two such programs are detailed below.
An associate of applied science degree in surgical technology is offered through Berkeley College, which has campus locations in New Jersey and New York. The degree totals 60 credits and includes coursework in anatomy and physiology; medical terminology; surgical techniques; pharmacology and anesthesiology; fundamentals of surgical technology; and ethical and legal aspects of health services.
The program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. This program can be completed online or on campus. Students are prepared to work as valuable members of a surgical team and assist in surgical procedures under the supervision of registered nurses, surgeons, and other surgical personnel.
- Location: Woodland Park, NJ; Woodbridge, NJ
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $890 per credit
An online completion program in surgical technology is available through Northern Arizona University. Students should already have an associate’s degree to be accepted into this program. The program provides students with the knowledge to better understand the importance of disease prevention, the interconnectedness of societal and personal health, stress management, and the healthcare environment.
In NAU’s program, students will learn topics in principles of epidemiology; stress management; current health issues; human diseases; introduction to psychology; healthy lifestyles; and mind-body health and will be expected to complete a capstone course before graduation.
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: $455 per credit
Other Careers in Health Sciences
While the ten occupations listed above are expected to have ample growth in the next decade, health science is a broad field with a wide array of career opportunities. Other occupations in the multivariate fields of health sciences include:
- Biomedical technologist or technician
- Cardiovascular technologist or technician
- Epidemiologist
- MRI technologist
- Neurodiagnostic technologist
- Veterinary technologist or technician
- Endoscopy technician
- Speech-language pathology assistant
- Acupuncture assistant
- Anesthesiology assistant
- Dietetic technician
- Home health aide
- Psychiatric technician
- Occupational therapy aide or assistant
- Licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN or LVN)
- Athletic trainer
For an extensive list of programs to springboard into a career in health sciences, visit the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
