18 high-paying healthcare jobs that don't need a bachelor's degree
While doctors typically need many years of schooling, other healthcare jobs can require just an associate degree.
May 5, 2025 - 10:30
0
Many healthcare jobs that typically require an associate degree paid above the annual median wage.
Westend61/Getty Images
Not all healthcare jobs that pay decently need an advanced college degree.
A radiation therapist gig typically pays well and requires an associate degree.
Some jobs that require no more than an associate degree are projected to see robust employment growth.
Respiratory therapists, dental hygienists, and occupational therapy assistants all typically make more than the median salary.
These are also jobs that generally need just an associate degree and are projected to grow quickly.
The US healthcare sector has been adding many new jobs, outshining other fields. The aging population will need new workers to help with medical needs as healthcare workers retire.
Business Insider previously looked at which jobs in the US are high-paying based on May 2024 average annual pay. Many of the top occupations were doctors, who usually need years of schooling and high-level degrees. That could mean being saddled with thousands of dollars in student loans and other schooling costs.
There are other ways to enter the medical workforce. BI analyzed annual median pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine which healthcare practitioners, technical occupations, and support jobs that don't need a bachelor's degree orhigher educational attainment typically pay the best. We excluded a few catchall unspecific occupation titles.
Below are the jobs that paid above the national median annual wage, $49,500 in May 2024, along with their employment estimates from that month. We also included the education usually needed and projected employment change from 2023 to 2033, based on what the Bureau of Labor Statistics said.
18. Medical records specialists
Tripod/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $50,250
Typical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Employment estimate: 187,910
Projected employment change: 16,700
17. Massage therapists
Cavan Images/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $57,950
Typical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Employment estimate: 96,040
Projected employment change: 26,000
16. Paramedics
kali9/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $58,410
Typical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Employment estimate: 99,530
Projected employment change: 5,900
15. Surgical assistants
Spotmatik/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $60,290
Typical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Employment estimate: 22,860
Projected employment change: 1,400
14. Hearing aid specialists
Westend61/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $61,560
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
Employment estimate: 10,580
Projected employment change: 1,600
13. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Courtney Hale/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $62,340
Typical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Employment estimate: 632,430
Projected employment change: 16,900
12. Surgical technologists
Huntstock/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $62,830
Typical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Employment estimate: 113,890
Projected employment change: 6,500
11. Physical therapist assistants
Westend61/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $65,510
Typical education: Associate degree
Employment estimate: 108,010
Projected employment change: 27,500
10. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
andresr/Getty Images
Median annual pay: $67,260
Typical education: Associate degree
Employment estimate: 61,180
Projected employment change: 2,400
9. Health information technologists and medical registrars
