It’s widely known that most medical jobs require extensive education and hands-on training. While many students focus on the long-term goal of becoming doctors, some prefer a quicker entry into the medical field. If you fall into this second group, there are many jobs available that require minimal education, and we’re here to walk you through some of them.
Keep on reading to explore the 15 top highest-paying medical jobs with little schooling and get a glimpse into what each career offers.
15 Highest-Paying Medical Jobs With Little Schooling
Below, we present 15 highest-paid medical jobs with limited schooling. Depending on the role, these jobs typically require an associate degree, specialized training, or a license. Despite requiring less schooling, these roles play a significant role in ensuring the well-being and health of individuals, highlighting their importance within the medical field.
1. Dietary technician
Average annual salary: $47,177
A dietary technician in healthcare helps plan and prepare meals for patients based on their dietary needs. They work closely with dietitians to ensure meals are nutritious and meet medical requirements. Their responsibilities include creating menus, monitoring food portions, and educating patients about healthy eating habits. Dietary technicians often work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities, ensuring patients receive proper nutrition to aid in their recovery and overall health.
2. Veterinary technician
Average annual salary: $48,568
A veterinary technician assists veterinarians in caring for animals. They perform tasks like taking X-rays, drawing blood, and administering medications. Additionally, they help during surgeries, monitor anesthesia, and care for animals before and after procedures. Part of the job also is communicating with pet owners and providing information on pet care and health. Working in animal clinics, hospitals, or research facilities, veterinary technicians play a crucial role in ensuring animals receive the best healthcare possible.
3. Pharmacy technician
Average annual salary: $42,214
These professionals count pills, measure doses, and label bottles to support pharmacists in dispensing medication. Techs manage inventory, ensuring medications are stocked and stored correctly. They also help customers by answering questions and processing insurance claims. Pharmacy technicians work in settings like retail pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics, ensuring patients receive their medications safely and efficiently. Their role is crucial in maintaining the smooth operation of a pharmacy and supporting overall patient care.
4. Phlebotomy technician
Average annual salary: $45,663
Phlebotomy technicians are critical to medical tests. They collect blood samples from patients using needles, ensuring a safe and comfortable process. After collecting samples, these technicians label and handle them carefully to prevent contamination. They also reassure patients and explain the procedure. These professionals work in hospitals, clinics, and labs, playing a crucial role in helping doctors diagnose and monitor health conditions through accurate blood tests.
5. Cardiovascular technician
Average annual salary: $78,887
Another medical job you can consider is a cardiovascular technician. This specialized role is perfect for those interested in cardiovascular health. These professionals are responsible for assisting doctors with tests and procedures related to the heart and blood vessels. Working in hospitals and clinics, their duties include operating equipment to perform tests like EKGs and helping with ultrasounds of blood vessels. They also monitor patients during these tests to ensure accuracy and safety.
6. Medical assistant
Average annual salary: $46,887
Medical assistants help doctors in healthcare settings by performing both administrative and clinical tasks. On the administrative side, they manage patient records, schedule appointments, handle billing, and answer phones. Clinically, they measure vital signs, draw blood, give injections, and prepare patients for exams. Essentially, these healthcare professionals ensure the smooth running of the office and assist with patient care, making the healthcare process efficient and effective.
7. Radiologic technologist
Average annual salary: $91,223
A radiologic technologist, or radiographer, performs diagnostic imaging exams like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Their expertise lies in operating imaging equipment and capturing images of patients’ internal structures, which help doctors diagnose medical conditions. Primary duties include positioning patients, ensuring safety during procedures, and maintaining the equipment. Radiologic technologists work closely with radiologists to produce clear, accurate images, playing a vital role in patient care and diagnosis by providing crucial information for medical evaluations.
8. Nuclear medicine technologist
Average annual salary: $121,201
Nuclear medicine technologists administer radioactive drugs to patients for imaging procedures, which help doctors diagnose and treat diseases. Their responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, maintaining equipment, and working closely with doctors to provide accurate diagnostic information. Their task is simple: they give radioactive drugs to patients and use special cameras to capture images of the drugs’ movement through the body. These images reveal important information about organs and tissues, making diagnosis possible.
9. Psychiatric technician
Average annual salary: $51,330
Psychiatric technicians play a crucial role in mental health care. They assist patients with daily activities, help them administer medications, and provide emotional support during treatments. Their duties include monitoring patients’ behavior and progress and reporting important changes to the healthcare team. Their work is vital for patient recovery, offering both practical care and compassionate assistance in mental health facilities.
10. Medical coding specialist
Average annual salary: $49,842
If you enjoy working on a computer, this role may be a good fit for you. A medical coding specialist is responsible for translating healthcare services into universal codes for billing purposes. They act as language translators between doctors and insurance companies. Their main tasks include reviewing patient records, assigning specific codes to diagnoses and procedures, and ensuring the accuracy of insurance claims. They play a key role in the smooth operation of the healthcare billing process.
11. Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Average annual salary: $62,831
LPNs provide basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or physicians. They assist with daily activities (like bathing, dressing, and eating), check vital signs, administer medications, and dress wounds. Additionally, LPNs monitor patients’ health and report any changes to RNs or doctors. Their role is crucial in ensuring patients receive essential care and support, helping maintain comfort and well-being during medical treatment.
12. Massage therapist
Average annual salary: $138,661
A massage therapist provides therapeutic massage treatments, working in spas or private practices. They start by assessing clients’ needs through consultations and then use various massage techniques to address specific concerns. Using their hands to manipulate muscles and soft tissues, massage therapists help clients relax, relieve pain, and improve overall well-being. The role requires maintaining clean equipment, understanding muscle anatomy, and ensuring clients feel comfortable throughout their sessions.
13. Emergency medical technician (EMT)
Average annual salary: $62,411
EMTs provide urgent medical care to patients before they reach the hospital. They respond to 911 calls, assess patients’ conditions, and perform life-saving procedures like CPR, wound care, and stabilizing injuries. Following these procedures, EMTs transport patients to medical facilities in ambulances, ensuring their safety and monitoring vital signs. Their quick, skilled actions in emergencies are crucial for saving lives and providing immediate care.
14. Registered nurse (RN)
Average annual salary: $113,384
Registered Nurses (RNs) play a crucial role in healthcare by providing and coordinating patient care, educating patients and their families about various health conditions, and offering emotional support during challenging times. Their responsibilities include administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, and implementing treatment plans prescribed by physicians. Additionally, RNs collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care. With their specialized knowledge and skills, RNs significantly contribute to improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of care in healthcare settings.
15. Ophthalmic technician
Average annual salary: $47,709
An ophthalmic technician assists ophthalmologists with eye exams and procedures. They measure vision, test eye pressure, and check for eye diseases. Their daily responsibilities include preparing patients for exams, gathering medical histories, and using specialized equipment for eye measurements. Ophthalmic technicians also assist during eye surgeries and procedures, playing a significant role in maintaining patients’ eye health and supporting ophthalmologists in providing comprehensive eye care.
Job Outlook
High-paying medical jobs with minimal schooling, such as cardiovascular technicians, LPNs, and massage therapists, offer promising job prospects. These roles are expected to grow due to increased demand for healthcare services. For instance, employment for LPNs is predicted to grow by 5%, for cardiovascular technicians by 10%, and a staggering 18% for massage therapists. Radiologic technologists are also in demand due to the growing healthcare needs of an aging population. In general, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032, with about 1.8 million openings each year.
All in all, these careers provide a balance of good salaries, job security, and relatively short training periods, making them attractive options in the healthcare field. Opportunities for advancement exist with additional certifications and experience, leading to higher pay and more responsibilities.
The Bottom Line
Explore these career options if you want to enter the healthcare industry with minimal schooling. These roles are in high demand due to their job security, growth potential, and relatively short training periods, making them appealing to many individuals. Start exploring your options today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What two-year medical degree pays the most?
The highest-paying two-year medical degree is in radiation therapy, with salaries often exceeding $90,000 annually.
Which medical job pays the most?
Pediatric surgeons are the highest-paid medical professionals, with annual salaries often surpassing $440,000.
What medical job pays the least?
Though it depends on various factors, a home health aide is among the lowest-paid medical jobs, with average annual earnings of around $33,000.