2024’s Top Ten Healthcare Jobs

Wish to work in the medical field but are unsure about the best position for you? It’s the appropriate spot for you. The greatest healthcare jobs available right now have been identified by analyzing data from career experts like Indeeded and Monster, taking into account factors like demand, salary, and job type.

You’re likely to find something that suits you among the many different healthcare jobs on our list. Jobs in the healthcare sector are highly desirable regardless of your interest: management, medicines, or patient care.

What is the healthcare industry? 

All industries that offer medical services for patient treatment are included in the healthcare sector. Although these services take many different forms, they can be divided into four categories: palliative, curative, rehabilitative, and preventive care.

Though it’s simple to picture a hospital when we think of the healthcare sector, there are actually a wide variety of settings. Hospitals and the vital responsibilities played by physicians and nurses are undoubtedly part of the industry. But the healthcare sector also provides employment in a variety of specialized fields, including drug manufacture.

There are businesses in the healthcare sector that even manufacture medical equipment, so there is undoubtedly a place for you.

Read More:Public health: what is it? How to work in the field

Why choose a career in healthcare? 

You can be certain that you will be changing things, regardless of the area of the healthcare sector you decide to focus on. Every aspect of healthcare works to improve people’s lives and contribute to society by giving vital care to those who require it.

Working in an influential function also tends to increase job satisfaction since you’re more likely to believe that your efforts have been valuable.

There’s a strong likelihood that you’ll be able to make a respectable pay in your role in addition to performing a fulfilling and significant work. Salary ranges for jobs in the healthcare industry are often very competitive and can rise with experience and expertise.

Top 10 jobs in healthcare

Now let’s explore some of the top positions in the healthcare sector. The average salaries that we have mentioned are all derived from Indeed or Payscale.

1. Nurse anaesthetist 

These medical experts concentrate on the administration of anesthesia, as their name implies. In addition to providing anesthesia, sedatives and pain treatment are the duties of a nurse anesthetist. Anaesthetists are permitted to work autonomously without direct supervision, in contrast to other nursing roles.

Nurse anesthetists are in charge of keeping an eye on patients both during and after surgery in addition to giving pain medicine. In this position, you will oversee patients’ recuperation to guarantee a complete and sound recovery and to report any irregularities.

Average nurse anaesthetist salary 

Nurse anaesthetists can expect to earn an average salary of £36,654 in the UK. In comparison, the average nurse salary in the UK is £25,586, so it’s evident that specialising in specific areas can enhance your salary. The average nurse anaesthetist’s salary in the US is $160,732.

How can I become a nurse anaesthetist? 

You must become a registered nurse in order to be hired as a nurse anesthetist. To pursue this position in America, you must have a master’s degree (often with anesthesia as a concentration) and obtain the necessary certifications to work as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

To learn more about delivering anesthesia, you might want to enroll in our course, Introduction to Using Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA).

2. Pharmacist

One of the more well-known positions in healthcare, pharmacists collaborate closely with various drug manufacturers. Prescription and over-the-counter medicine dispensing is often the responsibility of a pharmacist.

Nevertheless, the career path of a pharmacist comprises other sub-roles.Among the careers you can pursue are those of a hospital pharmacist, a general practice pharmacist, or a hospice pharmacist.

In addition to administering prescriptions and monitoring them, pharmacists are also required to communicate with physicians and other medical specialists. You should anticipate providing patients with guidance and medication information as a pharmacist.

Average pharmacist salary 

The average salary for a pharmacist in the UK is £37,551, with more experienced pharmacists earning around £49,000. In the US, pharmacists can expect to earn an average of $116,061.

How can I become a pharmacist?

In order to secure a role as a pharmacist, you’ll need to have the appropriate qualifications and skills. In the UK, the typical requirement for pharmacists is to have a four-year master’s degree in pharmacy. This should be followed up by a year-long work placement.

If you’d like to learn more about the basics of pharmacy, check out our Essentials of Good Pharmacy Practice course by Taipei Medical University, or try our Pharmacy for Beginners course by the University of Malaya.

3. Healthcare manager

The breadth of this position might involve general administration and leadership of either public or commercial healthcare organizations, as we covered in our most recent blog post on healthcare management. To maintain flawless operations within healthcare organizations, management is required.

This healthcare profession differs slightly from the others on our list in that it places a strong emphasis on management and administration. Purchasing new resources, managing budgets, supervising and directing departments, and strategically formulating the establishment’s goals are all typical tasks for a healthcare manager.

This role can also vary depending on the type of healthcare management job you decide to pursue. Types of healthcare managers include healthcare administrators, hospital managers, health coordinators and clinical directors. This career path is perfect for those who are business and management inclined but wish to make a difference in the healthcare industry.

Average healthcare manager salary

The average salary for a healthcare manager within the UK is £37,842, but this will vary and increase depending on which area of management you choose to get into. For example, a clinical director can expect to earn an average salary of £65,136, while clinical directors in the US earn an average of $79,160.

How can I become a healthcare manager?

Although a master’s degree would be desirable, a bachelor’s degree is required to work as a healthcare manager. The ideal degree to land a job as a healthcare manager is our Master of Business Administration in the healthcare industry.

Check out our Managing Change in a Healthcare Environment course or our Introduction to Management and Leadership Health Services microcredential if you’re interested in a career in healthcare.

4. Optometrist

Eye health is the area of specialization for healthcare practitioners in the optometry discipline. Optometrists, who should not be confused with opticians, are qualified to identify any anomalies in the eyes, symptoms of disease, and visual problems. With an eye exam, optometrists can even identify medical conditions like diabetes.

While the job description may sound similar to that of an optician, opticians are not qualified to completely diagnose medical conditions. As members of the medical community with extensive training, optometrists assist with patients’ preoperative and postoperative needs.

Optometrists are in charge of doing eye exams, making medical diagnoses, and prescribing pertinent care as required.

Average optometrist salary

In the UK, the average pay for an optometrist is £37,885, however with more experience, this figure might rise to £50,000. The average yearly compensation for optometrists in the United States is $110,630.

How can I become an optometrist? 

You will require an optometry degree if you are interested in working in the field of eye health. Prior to landing your first job, you will also need to complete a year-long supervised work placement under the supervision of a licensed optometrist.

To stay involved, it’s also critical to have a sincere interest in human anatomy and eye care, as well as a drive to succeed in these fields.

5. Dentist

Becoming a dentist could be of interest to you if you have a strong interest in teeth. Physicians that specialize in oral health and work only with teeth and mouths are known as dentists.

You can anticipate inspecting and diagnosing problems with gum and tooth health as a dentist. The function is specific, but it calls for a wide range of abilities and challenges. Your dentist will perform many duties for you, such as cleaning teeth, extracting unhealthy teeth, filling cavities, and obtaining and analyzing x-rays.

Upon completing additional training, some dentists decide to advance to the position of orthodontist. Orthodontists are primarily concerned with the alignment and composition of your teeth and jaws. An orthodontist’s duties often include braces and tooth alignment.

Average dentist salary

In the UK, the average wage for a dentist is £51,785, with more experienced dentists earning over £98,000. Should you decide to pursue three more years of education to become an orthodontist in the UK, the average compensation would be £77,757. In the US, a dentist makes $138,089 on average.

How can I become a dentist? 

You will need to spend five years completing a bachelor’s degree in dentistry before you can begin your career in dentistry. After receiving your degree, you will additionally need to complete one to two years of training under supervision.

Check out our Discover dentistry course if you’re interested in finding out more about this sector of the healthcare industry and landing one of the most coveted positions in the medical field.

6. Medical technician

A medical technician’s job is to help physicians and lab technicians prepare, gather, and analyze lab samples. They may also occasionally aid in patient diagnosis. That being said, your daily responsibilities as a medical technician will mostly depend on your area of specialization, be it phlebotomy, MRI scanning, surgery, or something else entirely.

Average medical technician salary

Medical technicians in the UK make, on average, £30,877 per year, though actual earnings will vary substantially based on the type of technician you are. For instance, the average salary for an MRI technician in the UK is £36,267. In the US, technicians can expect to make about $74,334.

How can I become a medical technician?

While a level four apprenticeship can lead to employment as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), most positions in the field require a degree in medical technology. You will play a hands-on role as an EMT assisting paramedics in administering life-saving care.

7. Doctor

In the medical field, the term “doctor” is used broadly because there are numerous varieties of physicians. However, general practitioners are frequently referred to by it. GPs are in charge of identifying and managing patients’ medical conditions.

General practitioners have two options: they can work in public health or find a private practice where they can provide their services. A physician’s days are devoted to diagnosing, writing prescriptions, delivering them, and counseling ailing patients.

Additionally, doctors can decide to focus on particular areas of interest. Among the positions that are open are those of psychiatrist, dermatologist, pediatrician, and neurosurgeon. Because a doctor’s job is so wide, the duties and responsibilities you perform will vary substantially based on your experience level and area of specialization.

Average doctor salary

General practitioners in the UK make, on average, £63,624, with more experienced practitioners making over £102,000. The average income for doctors in the United States is $194,645
How can I become a doctor? 

In the UK, a five-year medical degree is required to become a doctor. Additionally, you must finish a two-year general training foundation course. It takes an extra three years of training to become a specialist in your chosen field.

Start with our University of Glasgow course, Study Medicine: Applying for Medical School and Becoming a Medical Student.

8. Dietitian

In order to assist with patient and client care, dietitians interpret and use the science of nutrition. This typically entails providing patients with specific, actionable recommendations grounded in science and may involve assisting them in trying out diets, supplements, or dietary therapies.

Current public health research, scientific facts, and a variety of established approaches provide strong support for everything a dietician performs. They are unable to provide guidance in the same manner as a nutritionist in order to further their own financial interests.

Average dietitian salary

Although highly specialized dietitians for the NHS can make as much as £44,503, the average annual income for a dietician in the UK is £33,914. The average annual salary for a dietician in the US is $57,267.

How can I become a dietitian? 

Although a degree is not required to become a nutritionist, becoming a dietitian requires completing an undergraduate dietetics program that has been authorized. You will need two or three A levels in biology, math, or chemistry for this.

For additional information, including guidance from actual NHS specialists, you may read our blog post on how to become a dietician.

9. Surgeon

One of the most coveted jobs in the medical field is that of a surgeon. Surgeons, to put it simply, are in charge of performing surgery on patients to treat illnesses and injuries. These procedures might be as simple as keyhole surgery or as complicated as brain surgery.

The bond between a surgeon and his or her patients extends beyond the operating table. You must also perform preliminary evaluations in order to decide whether or not surgery is required for this position. Additionally, surgeons oversee the postoperative care of their patients, including keeping an eye on antibiotic usage.

Surgeons have the chance to specialize in particular areas of interest, just as many other healthcare professions. Plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pediatric surgeons are among the positions that are open.

Average surgeon salary

In the UK, general surgeons typically make £69,748; more experienced surgeons may make up to £108,000. Given that the UK average salary for a neurosurgeon is £97,216, it is obvious that individuals who choose to specialize in a certain area can anticipate substantially higher incomes. In the US, surgeons can anticipate an average salary of $233,009.

How can I become a surgeon? 

Being a surgeon involves a great deal of expertise and information, thus the path takes time. In the United Kingdom, becoming a surgeon requires completing a two-year foundation programme in addition to a five-year medical degree.

After that, you’ll have to complete two more years of basic surgical training before beginning to practice as a surgeon. It could require up to six more years of specialized training if you want to specialize in a particular kind of surgery.

10. Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist’s (also known as a physical therapist’s) job is to assess patients and identify the root causes of any movement issues. After that, they will suggest activities and other interventions meant to deal with any problems.

A physiotherapist works with a patient’s needs in a manner similar to that of a doctor, but they also combine components of massage and personal training. This is a hands-on profession.

Average physiotherapist salary

In the UK, starting pay for NHS employees is expected to be £25,655, with managerial positions potentially paying up to £75,000. The average yearly compensation for a physical therapist in the United States is $74,077.

How can I become a physiotherapist? 

In order to become a licensed physiotherapist, you must either finish an apprenticeship program or earn a degree in physiotherapy.

After you’re qualified, there are lots of options to continue your education. You may close any knowledge gaps, get more specialized problem-solving skills, and advance your career as a physiotherapist with online training. To find out more, look through our best physiotherapy courses.

Final thoughts

Whether a role as a pharmacist or a surgeon has caught your eye, we hope that this article has offered some insight into what your next healthcare role could be. There are an array of highly in-demand jobs in the medical field that also pay well, so why not start your healthcare journey today?