Healthcare Careers in 2020: Medical Field Jobs [Interactive Report]

Thinking about going into the field of healthcare? Smart choice! As one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, with anticipated 18 percent growth rate and 2.4 million new job opportunities between 2016 - 2026, now is one of the best times ever to work towards a career in healthcare.

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Why people get into healthcare

There are several aspects that lead people to consider an exciting and rewarding career in healthcare. From potential financial reward, to a diverse environment, to career growth, to personal fulfillment, to the variety of opportunities available, there’s plenty of draw to enter the field.

In a survey of 9,000 healthcare professionals...

More than 65% responded that they chose to pursue a career in healthcare for the personal fulfillment of helping others.

Career growth

Career growth 5.4%

Personal fullfillment

Personal fullfillment 67.6%

Financial gain

Financial gain 6.3%

Work with a diverse group of people

Work with a diverse group of people 5.1%

Variety of opportunities

Variety of opportunities 15.6%
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Healthcare industries

Healthcare is a wide-spanning industry encompassing a variety of jobs. The profession is no longer tied to some of the more traditional positions in doctors’ offices or hospitals. In fact, the last two decades have seen an eruption in non-doctor roles. Today, healthcare providers are also needed in less mainstream sectors such as marketing, tech positions and more.

Click to explore jobs in each healthcare industry!

Business
Marketing
Counseling & Social Work
Advocates
Tech
Medical
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Highest paying healthcare careers

Income potential is on the minds of many people when they’re deciding on a field or industry to pursue. Healthcare careers can have a wide salary range, and there are some stark differences in pay depending on the specific healthcare field you choose.

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Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners can offer both primary and specialty healthcare, coordinating overall patient care.

Annual Salary
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EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN $111,000
Estimated Number
of Jobs in the U.S.
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204,000 JOBS
Education
Requirement
Masters Degreegraduation hat
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Healthcare career shortages in the U.S.

There is still a dire need for healthcare providers today, and the truth is, more and more sectors are in desperate need of educated, motivated individuals to fill in the gaps. Some roles have a greater need than others.

Healthcare projected supply gaps through 2025

Americans are living longer while becoming more sedentary and thus, sicker. Accordingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecast that healthcare job opportunities will continue to soar through 2025. An industry-wide gap in supply and demand makes the healthcare sector full of opportunity.

Home health aides
442,569
Nursing assistants
94,268
Medical and clinical lab technologists
58,248
Medical and lab technicians
39,691
Nurse practitioners
29,173
Physicians and surgeons, all other
10,914
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Fastest growing healthcare careers in the U.S.

Some of the fastest growing healthcare careers may just surprise you. And it’s worth noting, projected growth is a great determinant in predicting longevity in a career.

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Home Health Aides

Home health aides monitor conditions and offer basic services for patients at home. They can administer medication, check vitals, change bandages and more.

Expected growth 2016-2026

47%

Number of jobs held each year

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Healthcare employment by state

By 2018, the healthcare industry was the single largest US employer, surpassing both previous contenders, retail and manufacturing, for the first time ever. The industry added 2.8 million jobs from 2006 - 2016. While the overall economy saw just a 35% growth rate from 2008 to present, healthcare had a whopping 20%. Where are these potential jobs and how much opportunity is there?

Hover over the map to see the percent of healthcare workers in each state!
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Where do they work?

Health professionals work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to patients’ homes to supporting public events and more. The profession is no longer tied to the typical atmosphere you may be thinking about, like doctors’ offices or hospitals. A career in healthcare means you could work in any number of exciting locations and environments.

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hospital graphicHospitals
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house graphicHomes (in care)
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therapist graphicRehab centers
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marathon finish line graphicMarathons
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Takeaway

Choosing a career in healthcare means choosing a long lasting, lucrative, rewarding profession that you can be proud of. Knowing you’re helping others, making lives better, is just one of the joys of this career path. With tremendous growth rate projected, well-paying options and unlimited opportunities to advance your career, there hasn’t been a better time to go into the field.

A career in healthcare may just be the best decision you ever make in life.

Career growth
Career growth
Personal fulfillment
Personal fulfillment
Financial gain
Financial gain
Variety of opportunities
Variety of opportunities
Work with a diverse group of people
Work with a diverse group of people
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Preparing healthcare leaders for more than 60 years.

GMercyU's School of Nursing and Health Professions has been a leader in nursing education for more than 60 years. Our expert faculty, more than 200 regional healthcare affiliations, and state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with patient simulators and real-time video capture, will assist you in learning how to address the complex patient and family needs of the 21st century.
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Sources