Health Technologists and Technicians Print Yuri_Arcurs/Getty Images By Dawn Rosenberg McKay Dawn Rosenberg McKay Dawn Rosenberg McKay is a certified Career Development Facilitator. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 05/11/20 Those who want to work in the health field as health technologists and technicians have a variety of careers from which to choose. Healthcare employment is projected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Over 1.9 million jobs are expected to be created. This is higher than any other occupational group. The occupations listed here all have very positive outlooks for the coming years. Learn about each of these career choices. Athletic Trainer Athletic trainers treat athletes and other individuals who have sustained injuries. They also teach people how to prevent them. They perform their job under the supervision of physicians. One must earn at least a bachelor's degree to be an athletic trainer but the majority of people in this career have a master's degree. Forty-seven states require a license in order to practice. Athletic trainers earned a median annual salary of $48,440 in 2019. Dental Hygienist Dental hygienists provide preventative dental care and teach patients how to maintain good oral health. They usually work under dentists' supervision. To work as a dental hygienist one must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school, earning, most commonly, an associate degree. Dental hygienists, in 2019, earned a median annual salary of 76,220. EMT and Paramedic EMTs and paramedics administer on-site emergency care to ill or injured people. There are three levels of training for those who want to work in this field: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic. To work as an EMT or paramedic one must be licensed. Paramedics earned a median annual salary of $35,400 in 2019. Lab Technician & Technologist Lab technicians perform laboratory tests and procedures. They work under the supervision of a laboratory technologist or a laboratory manager. To work as a laboratory technician one must first earn an associate degree. Laboratory technicians are required by some states to be licensed. Lab technologists perform complex tests that help other medical professionals, such as physicians, detect, diagnose and treat disease. Aspiring laboratory technologists should earn a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or one of the life sciences. Some states require laboratory technologists to be licensed. Laboratory technologists and technicians earned median annual wages of $53,120 in 2019. Licensed Practical Nurse Licensed Practical nurses care for patients who are sick, injured, convalescing or disabled. To work as a licensed practical nurse one must attend a state-approved year-long training program. After completion of a formal training program, an aspiring licensed practical nurse must pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-PN. Median annual earnings of licensed practical nurses were $47,480 in 2019. Nuclear Medicine Technologist Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, radioactive drugs, to patients in order to treat or diagnose diseases. To become a nuclear medicine technologist one must complete a nuclear medicine technology program that can range from one to four yours. A license to practice is required in about half of all states in the U.S. and voluntary certification is also available. Nuclear medicine technologists earned a median annual salary of $77,950 in 2019. Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. Their duties vary depending on the state in which they work. Pharmacy technicians have no formal training requirements, but those who have received formal training are more desirable to employers. Pharmacy technicians earned a median annual salary of $33.950 in 2019. Radiologic Technologist and Technician Radiologic technologists and technicians perform diagnostic imaging examinations using x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography. Radiologic Technicians perform x-rays while radiologic technologists perform CT scans, MRIs, and mammography. Aspiring radiologic technologists or technicians must receive formal training in radiography. This training leads most often to an associate degree. Median annual earnings of radiologic technologists and technicians were $62,280 in 2019. Surgical Technologist Surgical technologists assist in surgery, working under the supervision of surgeons and registered nurses. One who wants to be a surgical technologist must complete a seven month to two year formal training program. Surgical technologists earned an annual median salary of $48,300 in 2019. Ultrasound Technician Ultrasound technicians operate special equipment that uses sound waves to help diagnose patients' ailments. Those who want to work as ultrasound technicians must attend a formal training program, earning either an associate or bachelor's degree. Ultrasound technicians earned a median annual salary of $68,750 in 2019. Veterinary Technician and Technologist Veterinary technicians and technologists assist veterinarians by conducting clinical and laboratory procedures in private clinics and animal hospitals. Some work in research facilities. To become a veterinary technician one must attend an accredited, two-year veterinary technology program at a community college. This will usually result in earning an associate's degrees. Aspiring veterinary technologists must earn a bachelor's degree by completing a four-year program. Veterinary technicians and technologists earned an annual median salary of $35,320 in 2019.