Audiologist
Audiologists work with people who have ear problems including hearing difficulties and balance problems. To work in this field one usually needs to earn a Doctor of Audiology degree (AuD). This will take about four years after earning an undergraduate degree. All states in the US require that practicing audiologists have a license. Audiologists earned a median annual salary of $63,230 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming an Audiologist
Dentist
Dentists diagnose and treat dental problems. In order to become a dentist one must attend dental school for four years after college, earning a DDS or DMD degree. Dentists working in all states in the US must be licensed. Dentists earned a median annual salary of $142,090 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Dentist
Dietitian and Nutritionist
Dietitians and nutritionists plan food and nutrition programs and supervise the preparation and serving of meals. To work in this field one needs to have a bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food services management or a related field. Forty six states require either licensing, certification or registration of dietitions and nutritionists. Dietitians and nutritionists earned a median annual salary of $52,150 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Dietitian and Nutritionist
Doctor
Doctors diagnose and treat patients who are suffering from diseases and injuries. One must attend four years of medical school to earn an MD or DO degree and must also complete an internship and residency which will take from three to eight years. One must be licensed to practice. Primary care doctors earned a median annual salary of $186,044 in 2009 while specialists earned $339,738.Learn More About Becoming a Doctor
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists work with patients who have lost their ability to perform daily living or work-related activities due to certain disabling conditions. These health professionals use various exercises and techniques to help these patients relearn how to perform these activities. To become an occupational therapist one must get a master's degree. A license is required to practice. Occupational therapists earned a median annual salary of $69,630 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming an Occupational Therapist
Optometrist
Optometrists provide primary vision care. They examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases. Aspiring optometrists attend optometry school for four years after college. To practice one must have a license. Optometrists earned a median annual salary of $96,140 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming an Optometrist
Pharmacist
When doctors or other health practitioners give patients prescriptions for medication, it is pharmacists who dispense that medication. They also provide information about those particular drugs and help the patients understand how to take them. To work as a pharmacist one needs a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) and a license. To earn a PharmD one must attend pharmacy school for four years after college. Pharmacists earned a median annual salary of $109,180 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Pharmacist
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists help patients who have suffered injuries or illnesses by providing services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. One must earn a master's or doctoral degree from a physical therapist educational program and then pass national and state licensing exams. Physical therapists earned a median annual salary of $74,480 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Physical Therapist
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants provide primary health care services under physicians' supervision. Aspiring physician assistants must earn a master's degree from an accredited training program and then pass a national certifying exam. Physician assistants earned a median annual salary of $84,420 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Physician Assistant
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses treat patients and provide advice and emotional support to them and their families. To become a nurse you need a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing. You must also pass a national licensing exam and fulfill any other licensing requirements set forth by the state in which you plan to work. Registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $63,750 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Registered Nurse
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists deliver respiratory care therapeutic treatments to patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. They also evaluate their patients. Aspiring respiratory therapists must earn at least an associate degree. In most states they must also pass a national exam. Respiratory therapists earned a median annual salary of $53,330 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Respiratory Therapist
Speech Pathologist
Speech pathologists work with people who have speech-related disorders including the inability to produce certain sounds, speech rhythm and fluency problems, and voice disorders. Speech pathologists must have a master's degree. A license is required in most states as well. Speech pathologists earned a median annual salary of $65,090 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Speech Pathologist
Veterinarian
Veterinarians deliver healthcare to pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. One needs to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from a college of veterinary medicine. This will take about four years after graduation from college. All states require veterinarians to have a license. Veterinarians earned a median annual salary of $80,510 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Veterinarian
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ and
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/ (visited March 1, 2011).
Explore more Careers By Field or Industry
| Comparing Careers in the Health Professions | |||
| Minimum Education | License | Median Salary | |
| Audiologist | Doctor of Audiology | Req. in all states | $63,230 |
| Dentist | Dental school (4 + years after bachelor's) | Req. in all states | $142,090 (salaried dentists); those in private practice may earn more. |
| Dietitian And Nutritionist | Bachelor's | Req. in most states | $52,150 |
| Doctor | Medical school (4 + years after bachelor's) | Req. in all states | $186,044 (primary care) $339,738 (specialists) |
| Occupational Therapist | Master's | Req. in all states | $69,630 |
| Optometrist | Optometry school (4 years after at least 3 years of undergrad) | Req. in all states | $96,140 |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacy school (4 years after at least 2 years of undergrad) | Req. in all states | $109,180 |
| Physical Therapist | Master's | Req. in all states | $74,480 |
| Physician Assistant | Master's | Req. in all states | $84,420 |
| Registered Nurse | Bachelor's, Associate or Diploma | Req. in all states | $84,420 |
| Respiratory Therapist | Associate | Req. in most states | $84,420 |
| Veterinarian | Veterinary school usually after college | Req. in most states | $84,420 |
