Career change to healthcare
95 healthcare careers employ 12,083,920 people in the U.S. (BLS, May 2025). 40 of them usually take two years or less to prepare for. Below: the ways in, every healthcare career with pay and jobs, and the jobs whose skills carry over best.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS CPS 2025 and O*NET 31.0 · How we match careers
- Healthcare careers
- 95
- U.S. jobs
- 12,083,920
- Two years of prep or less
- 40
Ways into healthcare with two years of preparation or less
40 careers that usually need training, a certificate or an associate degree, highest pay first. Supervisor and manager jobs are left out because they are usually filled by promotion.
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | U.S. jobs | Workers 45+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radiation Therapists | $105,310 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 17,070 | — |
| 2 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $101,370 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 17,080 | — |
| 3 | Dental Hygienists | $98,100 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 222,740 | 40% |
| 4 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $96,590 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 90,160 | 40% |
| 5 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists | $95,480 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 43,390 | 48% |
| 6 | Respiratory Therapists | $82,280 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 139,790 | 45% |
| 7 | Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,110 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 230,490 | 43% |
| 8 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,310 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 62,960 | 48% |
| 9 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | $72,300 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 51,290 | — |
| 10 | Physical Therapist Assistants | $68,380 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 112,430 | 32% |
| 11 | Surgical Assistants | $66,800 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 22,270 | — |
| 12 | Hearing Aid Specialists | $65,160 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 11,270 | 38% |
| 13 | Surgical Technologists | $64,650 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 117,460 | 29% |
| 14 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,400 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 648,410 | 45% |
| 15 | Paramedics | $60,600 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 100,610 | 40% |
Show the other 25 careers
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | U.S. jobs | Workers 45+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Massage Therapists | $58,450 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 98,790 | 51% |
| 17 | Medical Records Specialists | $51,140 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 194,720 | 62% |
| 18 | Dental Assistants | $48,070 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 387,790 | 24% |
| 19 | Medical Equipment Preparers | $47,700 | Up to a year | 77,420 | — |
| 20 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,380 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 129,140 | 14% |
| 21 | Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 73,530 | 48% |
| 22 | Pharmacy Technicians | $45,750 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 471,680 | 28% |
| 23 | Medical Assistants | $45,690 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 817,870 | 24% |
| 24 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $45,570 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 71,010 | 35% |
| 25 | Phlebotomists | $45,230 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 143,540 | 35% |
| 26 | Psychiatric Technicians | $45,130 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 156,960 | 25% |
| 27 | Psychiatric Aides | $44,910 | Up to a year | 35,520 | 37% |
| 28 | Nursing Assistants | $42,260 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 1,448,910 | 37% |
| 29 | Medical Transcriptionists | $40,410 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 41,550 | — |
| 30 | Occupational Therapy Aides | $39,160 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 4,310 | — |
| 31 | Orderlies | $38,290 | Up to a year | 52,440 | 37% |
| 32 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,150 | Up to a year | 126,580 | 14% |
| 33 | Pharmacy Aides | $37,680 | Up to a year | 39,530 | — |
| 34 | Dietetic Technicians | $37,640 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 31,560 | 35% |
| 35 | Physical Therapist Aides | $35,240 | Up to a year | 48,150 | 32% |
| 36 | Endoscopy Technicians | $48,430Broader BLS group | Up to a year | — | — |
| 37 | Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $50,290Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | 38% |
| 38 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $50,290Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | 38% |
| 39 | Patient Representatives | $50,290Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | 38% |
| 40 | Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | $48,430Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | — |
Coming from another job? The best starting points
Jobs outside healthcare whose skills carry over best into a healthcare career, by our career-change match score.
All 95 healthcare careers
Most jobs first. Included: Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (SOC 29) and healthcare support (SOC 31).
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | U.S. jobs | Workers 45+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered Nurses | $97,550 | A bachelor's degree | 3,379,720 | 42% |
| 2 | Nursing Assistants | $42,260 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 1,448,910 | 37% |
| 3 | Medical Assistants | $45,690 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 817,870 | 24% |
| 4 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,400 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 648,410 | 45% |
| 5 | Pharmacy Technicians | $45,750 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 471,680 | 28% |
| 6 | Dental Assistants | $48,070 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 387,790 | 24% |
| 7 | Nurse Practitioners | $132,300 | A graduate degree | 323,040 | 47% |
| 8 | Pharmacists | $140,910 | A graduate degree | 321,970 | 36% |
| 9 | Physical Therapists | $102,760 | A graduate degree | 267,330 | 38% |
| 10 | Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,110 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 230,490 | 43% |
| 11 | Dental Hygienists | $98,100 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 222,740 | 40% |
| 12 | Medical Records Specialists | $51,140 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 194,720 | 62% |
| 13 | Speech-Language Pathologists | $97,870 | A graduate degree | 183,390 | 37% |
| 14 | Occupational Therapists | $100,330 | A graduate degree | 162,450 | 38% |
| 15 | Physician Assistants | $135,880 | A graduate degree | 162,150 | 28% |
| 16 | Psychiatric Technicians | $45,130 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 156,960 | 25% |
| 17 | Phlebotomists | $45,230 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 143,540 | 35% |
| 18 | Respiratory Therapists | $82,280 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 139,790 | 45% |
| 19 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,380 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 129,140 | 14% |
| 20 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,150 | Up to a year | 126,580 | 14% |
| 21 | Dentists, General | $170,950 | A graduate degree | 124,390 | 54% |
| 22 | Surgical Technologists | $64,650 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 117,460 | 29% |
| 23 | Physical Therapist Assistants | $68,380 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 112,430 | 32% |
| 24 | Family Medicine Physicians | $244,180 | A graduate degree | 107,510 | 52% |
| 25 | Paramedics | $60,600 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 100,610 | 40% |
Show the other 70 careers
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | U.S. jobs | Workers 45+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Massage Therapists | $58,450 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 98,790 | 51% |
| 27 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $96,590 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 90,160 | 40% |
| 28 | Veterinarians | $130,100 | A graduate degree | 83,900 | 48% |
| 29 | Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,400 | A graduate degree | 77,570 | 47% |
| 30 | Medical Equipment Preparers | $47,700 | Up to a year | 77,420 | — |
| 31 | Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 73,530 | 48% |
| 32 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $45,570 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 71,010 | 35% |
| 33 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $256,560 | A graduate degree | 67,150 | 52% |
| 34 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,310 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 62,960 | 48% |
| 35 | Orderlies | $38,290 | Up to a year | 52,440 | 37% |
| 36 | Nurse Anesthetists | $236,590 | A graduate degree | 51,840 | — |
| 37 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | $72,300 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 51,290 | — |
| 38 | Physical Therapist Aides | $35,240 | Up to a year | 48,150 | 32% |
| 39 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists | $95,480 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 43,390 | 48% |
| 40 | Optometrists | $136,570 | A graduate degree | 42,790 | — |
| 41 | Medical Transcriptionists | $40,410 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 41,550 | — |
| 42 | Chiropractors | $79,200 | A graduate degree | 39,630 | 61% |
| 43 | Pharmacy Aides | $37,680 | Up to a year | 39,530 | — |
| 44 | Pediatricians, General | $210,040 | A graduate degree | 39,390 | 52% |
| 45 | Anesthesiologists | $391,490 | A graduate degree | 38,760 | 52% |
| 46 | Psychiatric Aides | $44,910 | Up to a year | 35,520 | 37% |
| 47 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $335,550 | A graduate degree | 32,880 | — |
| 48 | Dietetic Technicians | $37,640 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 31,560 | 35% |
| 49 | Athletic Trainers | $62,520 | A graduate degree | 30,500 | — |
| 50 | Psychiatrists | $281,870 | A graduate degree | 27,980 | 52% |
| 51 | Radiologists | $420,860 | A graduate degree | 26,770 | — |
| 52 | Surgical Assistants | $66,800 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 22,270 | — |
| 53 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $292,910 | A graduate degree | 21,260 | 52% |
| 54 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $101,370 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 17,080 | — |
| 55 | Radiation Therapists | $105,310 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 17,070 | — |
| 56 | Recreational Therapists | $61,960 | A bachelor's degree | 14,930 | — |
| 57 | Audiologists | $95,780 | A graduate degree | 13,660 | — |
| 58 | Dermatologists | $328,730 | A graduate degree | 11,370 | 52% |
| 59 | Hearing Aid Specialists | $65,160 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 11,270 | 38% |
| 60 | Physicians, Pathologists | $312,400 | A graduate degree | 11,110 | 52% |
| 61 | Neurologists | $248,560 | A graduate degree | 10,590 | 52% |
| 62 | Podiatrists | $160,300 | A graduate degree | 9,680 | — |
| 63 | Orthotists and Prosthetists | $81,110 | A graduate degree | 9,390 | 38% |
| 64 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $300,080 | A graduate degree | 8,950 | 47% |
| 65 | Exercise Physiologists | $59,460 | A bachelor's degree | 8,560 | — |
| 66 | Nurse Midwives | $134,040 | A graduate degree | 7,920 | — |
| 67 | Acupuncturists | $76,040 | A graduate degree | 7,830 | — |
| 68 | Orthodontists | $289,140 | A graduate degree | 6,210 | 54% |
| 69 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $352,220 | A graduate degree | 4,910 | 54% |
| 70 | Occupational Therapy Aides | $39,160 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 4,310 | — |
| 71 | Genetic Counselors | $100,040 | A graduate degree | 3,740 | — |
| 72 | Medical Dosimetrists | $147,470 | A bachelor's degree | 3,410 | — |
| 73 | Prosthodontists | $311,180 | A graduate degree | 870 | 54% |
| 74 | Acute Care Nurses | $97,550Broader BLS group | A bachelor's degree | — | 42% |
| 75 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | $97,550Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 42% |
| 76 | Allergists and Immunologists | $265,930Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 52% |
| 77 | Anesthesiologist Assistants | $135,880Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 28% |
| 78 | Art Therapists | $77,930Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 38% |
| 79 | Clinical Nurse Specialists | $97,550Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 42% |
| 80 | Critical Care Nurses | $97,550Broader BLS group | A bachelor's degree | — | 42% |
| 81 | Endoscopy Technicians | $48,430Broader BLS group | Up to a year | — | — |
| 82 | Hospitalists | $265,930Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 52% |
| 83 | Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists | $100,330Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 38% |
| 84 | Midwives | $65,790Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | — |
| 85 | Music Therapists | $77,930Broader BLS group | A bachelor's degree | — | 38% |
| 86 | Naturopathic Physicians | $115,210Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | — |
| 87 | Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $50,290Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | 38% |
| 88 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $50,290Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | 38% |
| 89 | Orthoptists | $115,210Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | — |
| 90 | Patient Representatives | $50,290Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | 38% |
| 91 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians | $265,930Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 52% |
| 92 | Preventive Medicine Physicians | $265,930Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 52% |
| 93 | Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | $48,430Broader BLS group | 1–2 years (training or associate) | — | — |
| 94 | Sports Medicine Physicians | $265,930Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 52% |
| 95 | Urologists | $265,930Broader BLS group | A graduate degree | — | 52% |
Workers 45+: BLS CPS 2025 (Table 11b). “Broader BLS group”: pay is published only for a wider group of jobs; its jobs are not counted. Methodology
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Questions about moving into healthcare
Can I switch to healthcare without a degree?
Often, yes. 40 healthcare careers usually need two years or less of preparation. The best-paid are Radiation Therapists ($105,310), Nuclear Medicine Technologists ($101,370), Dental Hygienists ($98,100).
Which jobs make it easiest to move into healthcare?
By our skill match, people coming from Clinical Neuropsychologists, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Neuropsychologists have the closest healthcare matches. Use the Career Change Tool to check your own job.
How many healthcare jobs are there?
About 12,083,920 across the 95 careers on this page with their own BLS estimate (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Which careers count as this field?
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (SOC 29) and healthcare support (SOC 31). Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 pay and jobs, O*NET 31.0 preparation, BLS CPS 2025 worker ages.