Fastest-Growing Projected Healthcare Industries

The healthcare industry has always been fairly recession-proof and estimates from 2012-2022 project further substantial healthcare employment growth. However, some occupations are among the fastest-growing healthcare jobs during this period. Below, we take a look at some of these jobs.

Here are the expected growth rates for some of the predicted fastest-growing healthcare jobs between 2012 and 2022.

Median salaries are taken from BLS.gov.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: 46 percent projected growth

• Primary Job Responsibilities: A diagnostic medical sonographer uses sophisticated medical equipment to create images of organs and other structures inside a patient’s body. These images are then interpreted by a physician. Diagnostic medical sonographers have extensive patient contact and may analyze or summarize the technical findings of their procedures.
• Degree Needed: As little as a one-year certificate from an accredited institution.
• Median Salary: $66,410

Occupational Therapy Assistant: 42.6 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: Occupational Therapy Assistants work below occupational therapists and typically perform support activities relating to helping patients develop, recover, and improve upon skills needed for daily living and working.
• Degree Needed: Associate’s degree
• Median Salary: $55,270

Physical Therapist Assistant: 41 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: Physical Therapist Assistants aid Physical Therapists in creating and executing treatment plans for injured patients. Typically they work with patients with movement difficulties (caused by illness or disease). Their responsibilities are very hands-on and include logging data, maintaining clean therapy areas, and helping patients achieve their therapeutic goals.
• Degree Needed: 2-year associate degree and additional medical education
• Median Salary: $53,360

Physician Assistant: 38.4 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: Physician Assistants work directly with patients, under the supervision of physicians. Physician Assistants are highly educated and able to examine, diagnose, and provide treatment for patients.
• Degree Needed: Master’s Degree
• Median Salary: $90,930

Medical Secretary: 36 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: In a physician’s office, a medical secretary may record medical histories, complete insurance paperwork and arrange for patients’ hospital procedures. Some medical secretaries work with medical doctors and scientists in research settings. Responsibilities there include transcribing dictation, making arrangements for speeches and conference engagements and assisting with articles and reports. Still others find employment in hospitals and outpatient care centers.
• Degree Needed: Associate in Applied Science Degree
• Median Salary: $30,550

Physical Therapist: 36 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: Physical Therapists work with people who have lost some range of motor function due to illnesses or injuries in an attempt to regain full mobility and limit pain. Typically Physical Therapists design a rehabilitation plan and assist and motivate the patient to complete the plan.
• Degree Needed: Master or Doctorate of Physical Therapy
• Median Salary: $76,310

Nurse Practitioner: 33.7 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: Nurse Practitioners frequently serve their patients as primary care providers. Duties typically resemble a physician’s daily duties.
• Degree Needed: Master’s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner
• Median Salary: $92,670

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor: 31.4 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: A Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor works closely with patients who have substance or behavioral problems. They typically provide treatment/support in the form of counseling. They strive to help a client recover from addictions or to modify behavioral issues.
• Degree Needed: From High School to a Master’s Degree
• Median Salary: $38,520

Marriage and Family Therapist: 30.6 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: Marriage and Family Therapists speak to people struggling with relationship issues. Through questions and answers they seek to help the client understand their problems and develop effective strategies for improving family relationship issues.
• Degree Needed: Master’s Degree
• Median Salary: $41,500

Medical Equipment Repairer: 30.3 percent projected growth

• Job Responsibilities: When medical equipment becomes damaged or faulty, a Medical Equipment Repairer has the skills to repair and maintain a wide variety of patient care equipment.
• Degree Needed: Associate’s Degree – typically in engineering or biomedical technology
• Median Salary: $44,570

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