Most In-demand Healthcare Jobs in US in 2023

We all believe in the American Dream the same, but our dream jobs differ. Still, the most preferred jobs in the US have a few attributes in common: good pay, moderate challenge, skill fit, work-life balance, and ample room for career growth. Per U.S. News, five out of the top 10 best jobs in the US are healthcare jobs^[1]. The overall number of jobs in healthcare is projected to grow 13 per cent from 2021 to 2031^[2], much faster than the average for all occupations!

While landing healthcare jobs seems promising, the aspirants may still find themselves overwhelmed with the options of jobs in healthcare industry. Those considered the best jobs in healthcare, i.e. nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and dentist, have a high competition to break into and make your mark. Fortunately, the best is subjective. A healthcare job that meets your financial, mental and emotional needs is the best job in healthcare.

In this blog, we are going to list down the most popular healthcare jobs coveted by fresh graduates and senior healthcare professionals alike. We’ll also discuss how to choose the best job in healthcare for yourself. In the end, we’ll reveal a job portal dedicated to finding healthcare jobs near you or around the U.S.

But before we start, let’s formally define our criteria for a healthcare job.

What are healthcare jobs?

Healthcare jobs are those jobs that involve providing medical care or related services to patients or clients. These jobs can be found in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and private practices.

Not limited to just surgeons or dentists, some common healthcare jobs include nurse practitioners, health educators, and even hospice workers. It’s noteworthy that every healthcare job in the U.S^[4]. requires specific training and education; most also require certification or licensure to practice them.

Top 10 most popular healthcare jobs

Coming right to it, the nursing job has been rated as the most trusted profession overall (not just among healthcare jobs) since the 2000s in the Gallup poll^[3]. So, certainly highly coveted, other jobs in healthcare are also regarded highly for personal, professional, and societal reasons.

Below we list the top 10 ranked healthcare jobs and explore their duties and qualifications for each.

Nurse Practitioners (NP)

Duties

A nurse practitioner (NP) performs several duties like or in coordination with physicians, including physical examinations, medicines prescription, treatment & tests authorization, etc. NPs usually have specialties like geriatric and adult health, mental health, or pediatric health.

Qualifications

To become a nurse practitioner in the USA, you typically need to complete a BSN degree, complete an MSN or DNP degree, and then obtain certification from a recognized NP certification board. You will also need to apply for licensure in your state.

Among the most sought-after healthcare jobs in the US, NP jobs should see close to 112,700 vacancies in 2023, while the median nurse practitioner salary is estimated at $120,680.

Physician Assistant (PA)

Duties

PAs work alongside physicians to diagnose and treat patients. They may conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medication, and develop treatment plans.

Qualifications

Becoming a physician assistant requires completion of a Master’s degree program in physician assistant studies, passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), and obtaining state licensure.

Physical Therapist (PT)

Duties

PTs work with patients to help them recover from injuries or illnesses and manage chronic conditions. They develop treatment plans, perform manual therapies and exercises, and educate patients on proper movement and exercise techniques.

Qualifications

To qualify for this healthcare job, you need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program, pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), and obtain state licensure.

Dentist

Duties

One of the most recognizable healthcare jobs, dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and oral tissues. They may fill cavities, extract teeth, perform root canals, and educate patients on proper oral hygiene.

Qualifications

Completion of a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree program, passing the National Board Dental Examination, and obtaining state licensure.

Veterinarian

Duties

Veterinarians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in animals. They may perform surgeries, administer medications, and provide preventative care.

Qualifications

To become a veterinary, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree program, pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination, and obtain state licensure.

Physician

Duties

Possibly the most respected of healthcare jobs, physicians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in patients. They may order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans.

Qualifications

Completion of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree program, completing a residency program, passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), and obtaining state licensure.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Duties

RNs provide patient care, monitor patient conditions, and administer medications. They may also educate patients and their families about their health conditions and treatment plans.

Qualifications

Completion of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing, passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and obtaining state licensure.

Nurse Anesthetist

Duties

A Nurse Anesthetists administer anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures. They monitor patient vital signs and adjust anesthesia levels as needed.

Qualifications

To become a nurse anesthetist, you require completion of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing, passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and obtaining state licensure.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Duties

Speech-Language Pathologists work with patients who have communication and swallowing disorders. They may evaluate and diagnose these disorders, develop treatment plans, and provide therapy to improve communication and swallowing abilities.

Qualifications

Completion of a Master’s degree program in speech-language pathology, passing the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, and obtaining state licensure.

Psychiatrists

Duties

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental illnesses and disorders. They may prescribe medication, provide therapy, and develop treatment plans to help patients manage their conditions.

Qualifications

Completion of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree program, completing a psychiatry residency program, passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), and obtaining state licensure.

How to choose the best job in healthcare for yourself

As we mentioned earlier, the best of any group depends on the metric you measure them against. In the case of choosing the best healthcare job for yourself, your metric would differ from others for personal situation, preferences and vision.

However, experts in the healthcare field suggest considering the following factors when locking in on a healthcare job for a long career.

Research healthcare careers

Explore the different healthcare careers to gain insight into the job duties, qualifications, and salaries.

Find your interests

Identify the healthcare areas that you are most interested in and passionate about.

Evaluate your qualifications

Determine if you need to pursue additional education/training to qualify for the healthcare job you want. Also, factor in their fees, duration, and ROI.

Assess work environment

Consider the healthcare organization’s work culture and day-to-day environment to determine if it is a good fit for you.

Consider job outlook

Look into the vacancies projections and growth potential for the healthcare career you are interested in.

And last but not least, do not forget to consider work-life balance and job satisfaction for the healthcare job you plan to pursue. Often overlooked at the initial level of a job search but plays a crucial role in ascertaining both your personal and professional growth potential.

Over to you

Now in the knowledge of the hottest healthcare jobs in the market and how to choose the best one for yourself, we hope you are in a position to make informed decisions on making your next move. However, we’d add that you should personally talk to professionals in the healthcare industry to get a better idea of their day-to-day lives. You can also consult a healthcare recruiter to understand their challenges and align your goal accordingly.

If you have done your due diligence and are ready to look up ‘healthcare jobs near me’, we highly recommend applying for healthcare jobs on sites that specialize in it. They will have healthcare job opportunities near you and across US as well that might just be perfect for you!

FAQs

What is the best-paying job in healthcare?

Physicians and surgeons have the highest median salary, with some specialties earning over $400,000 annually for senior healthcare professionals

What is the lowest-paying job in healthcare?

Typically, Home Health Aides have the lowest median salary, earning around $25,000 annually.

What healthcare job has the best hours?

Majorly dependent on personal preferences, but in general, Dental Hygienists often have flexible schedules and work reasonable hours.

What is the fastest-growing healthcare occupation?

Among all the healthcare jobs, those of Nurse Practitioners are projected to grow 52% from 2019-2029 due to increased demand.

What is a good career in the health field?

Depending upon your various personal and external reasons, many healthcare jobs offer job security, good pay, and the satisfaction of helping others. Some known for long and flourishing careers are registered nurses, surgeons, and physical therapists.

References

[1] https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs

[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm

[3] https://news.gallup.com/poll/467804/nurses-retain-top-ethics-rating-below-2020-high.aspx

[4] https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-healthcare-jobs