A health science degree is your ticket into the vast world of healthcare, offering a wide range of career paths. It prepares you for roles that make a real difference in people’s lives, from patient care to research.
If you’re wondering, “What can I do with a health science degree?” you’re about to discover the many opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills in various exciting and impactful ways in the healthcare field.
What Is Health Science?
Health science is a multidisciplinary field that utilizes technology and science to improve healthcare and its delivery. This ensures patients receive the best care possible. It covers a wide array of healthcare areas, including disease prevention, accurate diagnosis, effective treatment strategies, and rehabilitation.
As new health threats emerge and our understanding of health and disease evolves, health science continues to adapt and expand, underscoring its importance in creating a healthier future for all.
Jobs You Can Get with a Health Science Degree
A Health Science degree is listed as one of the most popular undergraduate degrees earned before starting medical school, data reports. With this degree, the job opportunities offered are endless.
Physician
A physician diagnoses and treats illnesses, guiding patients on prevention and health maintenance. Essential skills include deep medical knowledge, problem-solving, and empathy. Physicians are central to healthcare, assessing patient health, prescribing treatments, and sometimes performing surgeries, ensuring overall patient well-being and managing ongoing health issues effectively.
Annual salary: $229,300
Dentist
Dentists care for people’s teeth and gums, preventing and treating dental issues. Their role includes diagnosing oral health problems, performing dental procedures, and advising on oral care to ensure patients maintain healthy smiles. In this career, one typically needs a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Dental Medicine degree and must pass licensing exams.
Annual salary: $159,530
Medical Sales Representative
A Medical Sales Representative sells medical products and devices to healthcare professionals. They explain how these products work and their benefits. Good communication, persuasion, and knowledge about medical products are key skills. While specific education can vary, a background in health or sales is helpful, and training is often provided by employers.
Annual salary: $135,256
Pharmacist
A Pharmacist gives out medicine and advises on its safe use. These medical professionals are required to be detail-oriented, good communicators, and have a strong understanding of drugs and their effects to help patients effectively. While a health science degree can provide a good foundation of knowledge and skills for pharmacists, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree is also often required.
Annual salary: $132,750
Physician Assistant
Aiding doctors in patient care and performing exams and treatments falls under the Physician Assistant (PA) role. Key skills include excellent communication, medical knowledge, and teamwork. PAs are vital in healthcare, offering quality care and ensuring patients receive prompt, effective treatment. They bridge the gap between doctors and patients, improving healthcare delivery.
Annual salary: $126,010
Medical Writer
A Medical Writer creates scientific documents and materials about healthcare, treatments, and research. They must be able to explain complex medical information clearly to different audiences, including doctors, patients, and regulators. Strong writing skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of medical terminology are essential. A background in science or medicine helps in this role, making complex health topics accessible and understandable.
Annual salary: $114,131
Health Administrator
A Health Administrator runs hospitals or clinics, making sure they operate well. Their role is to keep healthcare services running smoothly for everyone. You need a college degree in health administration, management, or a related field for this job. Some jobs also require a master’s degree or special certification. Skills like leadership, organization, and understanding healthcare laws are important in this career.
Annual salary: $104,830
Health Service Manager
Similar to an administrator, a Health Service Manager makes sure healthcare facilities like hospitals run smoothly. Working behind the scenes to keep healthcare quality high is their primary task as a manager. They need at least a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a similar field, but a master’s degree is often preferred. Being good at planning, leading teams, and understanding healthcare systems is key.
Annual salary: $104,830
Clinical Research
With a health science degree, one can work in clinical research by getting extra training or degrees focused on research methods and ethics. They need skills in analysis, attention to detail, and communication. Working in clinical research involves designing studies, managing trials, analyzing data, and helping develop new treatments or medical practices.
Annual average salary: $107,336
Occupational Therapist
An Occupational Therapist assists people during everyday tasks, mainly after injury or illness. They need a master’s degree in occupational therapy and must pass a certification exam to work in this field. Skills like being caring, patient, and creative are important. The goal is to teach patients how to get back on their feet and adapt, improving their independence and quality of life.
Annual salary: $93,180
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Laboratory Technicians conduct tests on patient samples to help diagnose diseases. They need specialized training, usually an associate degree or certification, and skills in accuracy and using lab equipment. Their work is vital for patient care, providing essential data that guides doctors in treatment decisions.
Annual salary: $86,298
Speech and Language Therapist
Speech and Language Therapists help people improve their communication abilities, such as speaking clearly or understanding others. They need a specialized degree in speech therapy and must get certified. Key skills include patience, creativity, and good listening. They work with people of all ages and aid those with speech or language difficulties in communicating better.
Annual salary: $84,140
Nursing
In nursing, professionals care for patients, helping them recover and stay healthy. Health science graduates may need additional education in a nursing program to meet the requirements. This includes completing a nursing program. Essential skills one needs as a nurse are empathy, attention to detail, and strong communication, enabling effective patient care and support.
Annual salary: $81,220
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists study how diseases spread and how to control them. They usually need a master’s degree in public health or epidemiology. Skills like analysis, attention to detail, and communication are important. They collect and analyze data to understand disease patterns, helping to prevent outbreaks and improve public health policies.
Annual salary: $78,520
Medical Technologist
Medical Technologists conduct complex lab tests that help diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. They typically need a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a related field. Precision, attention to detail, and strong analytical skills are crucial. Analyzing blood, tissues, and other samples, as well as playing a key role in patient care, is what medical technologists are all about.
Annual salary: $73,307
Dietitian
Dietitians guide individuals on eating right for better health and managing specific dietary needs. They are experts in nutrition and use this knowledge to develop personalized eating plans. Essential skills for a dietitian include a deep understanding of food and health, strong communication to explain complex ideas simply, and empathy to support clients’ goals and challenges.
Annual salary: $66,450
Patient Advocate
Patient Advocates help people navigate the healthcare system, ensuring they receive proper care and understand their rights. Knowledge of healthcare through a health science degree and strong communication skills are essential. They offer support by explaining medical terms, treatments, and insurance, and by addressing concerns, making healthcare more accessible and personalized.
Annual salary: $60,187
Fellowship Coordinator
A Fellowship Coordinator organizes training programs for doctors learning specialized skills. They need experience in organizing and usually a college degree. Being good at planning, talking clearly, and managing details is important. They handle applications, set up schedules, and make sure the training meets high standards, helping doctors grow professionally.
Annual salary: $54,677
Health Educator
A Health Educator teaches people how to be healthy. They typically need a college degree in health science or a related field. Sometimes, special certification is also required. These professionals must be skilled at talking to people, understanding health information, and creating educational programs. Essentially, this job is about helping others lead healthier lives.
Annual salary: $59,990
Community Health Worker
Community Health Workers help their communities achieve better health. They guide individuals to health services, offer health education, and work to raise awareness about health practices. Their training might include specific certification and on-the-job learning. Essential skills are strong communication, a solid grasp of health issues, and empathy.
Annual salary: $46,190
Scientist
Scientists are explorers. A scientist explores and discovers new things typically by conducting experiments and research. A college degree in science is paramount, and often, a master’s or doctorate for advanced research. Scientists must be curious, detail-oriented, and good at solving problems. They study, test theories, and share findings, helping us better understand the living things around us.
The annual salary for scientists depends on their field of expertise.
Counselor
A Counselor supports people dealing with emotional or mental health issues. In addition to a health science degree, they typically need a master’s degree in a related field and must get certified. Essential skills include excellent listening, empathy, and communication abilities. Counselors work to understand individuals’ problems and guide them towards solutions, improving their well-being.
The annual salary for counselors depends on their field of expertise.
Public Health
Opportunities for working in public health are available for graduates with a health sciences degree. Professionals in this field work on issues like vaccination programs, health education campaigns, and research into health trends. Skills like analysis, communication, and collaboration are important. Public health aims to ensure healthier communities by addressing health challenges collectively.
The annual salary depends on the field of expertise.
Medicine
Health science graduates can work in medicine by pursuing further education like medical school or specialized healthcare training. They need strong science knowledge, critical thinking, and compassion. Additional requirements include passing exams and obtaining specific licenses or certifications to practice in medical fields like nursing, therapy, or medical research.
The annual salary depends on the field of expertise.
Conclusion
A health science degree opens doors to diverse, rewarding careers, from direct patient care in nursing and therapy to behind-the-scenes roles in medical research and healthcare administration.
If you’re eager to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, explore the vast opportunities a health science degree offers. Start transforming your interest in health into a fulfilling career, and check out our AS in Health Sciences for more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can you work in public health with a health science degree?
Yes, you can work in public health with a health science degree, as it provides a strong foundation for various roles aimed at improving community health.
What is the highest-paying job in health science?
The highest-paying job in health science is typically a Physician, with an average annual salary of $229,300.