The 7 Hottest Allied Healthcare Employment Opportunities

May 10, 2014























There are a number of careers that fall under this umbrella. Job titles might include: medical billing and coding specialists, medical secretaries, and medical record specialists.

Medical coders perform an important role in the medical business process. The industry size is currently 186,300 jobs, and in ten years it is projected to grow by 41,100 jobs. With the pending transition to ICD-10, a new and more complex standard of coding, it’s possible that the job outlook could grow even higher than the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projection. There are a number of certifications that aspiring health information technicians can earn, including but not limited to AHIMA, NCCT, NHA, and AAPC certifications.
Respiratory therapists take care of patients who are having problems breathing, mostly working from hospitals, but others working in nursing homes and mobile health services. This field, with 119,300 jobs, is expected to grow by 22,700.

Whether you are going to school for the first time or making a career change, choosing which field to enter can be a daunting task. Particularly for those interested in allied health, understanding all of the options and career paths available can be overwhelming. This is why career outlook is so important. For many students, a profession's long-term career potential is their deciding factor.







Pay attention to career fairs held in your schools and community, they'll be the ticket to your first career.


NC State / NC State College of Engineering / CC BY

Another attractive aspect of allied health is the relatively short training period that is required for a number of careers. A lot of careers, and high paying ones at that, only require a certificate or associate's degrees. These short programs offer a cost-effective way of getting the education you need to kick-start your career.

You probably know by now that jobs in the medical field are growing; allied healthcare employment is projected to grow nearly across the board in the next ten years. Some jobs, specifically, are the most likely to see growth. We’ve taken another foray into the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to see which careers, specifically, are predicted to be the fastest-growing in allied health. Here are the results!

1. Physical Therapist Assistants: 41% growth








Official U.S. Navy Imagery / Flickr / CC BY

With 121,000 jobs currently, and over 40,000 new jobs by 2022, physical therapy assisting is a great career choice. Working hands-on with patients, PTAs get to help implement strategies to bring people back to physical functionality.

Except in Hawaii, all physical therapist assistants must be licensed or certified. To be licensed, you must graduate from an acceptable program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam. Depending on the state, there might be other requirements for employment, and in some states you may need to take classes every now and again to maintain the status of your licensure.

Average income: $39,430 per year, $18.96 per hour

2.Surgical Technologists : 30% growth

With over 29,000 new jobs by 2022, Surgery Technologists are the second-fastest growing job on our list. There are already approximately 98,500 surgical technologists working in the field. Surgical techs have an important role on the surgical team. They prepare the operating room, play a major part in sterilization procedures, and assist the surgical team during procedures. Surgical technicians can obtain other certifications and educational licenses that make them more useful in the operating room.



An operating room technician helps a medical student with his operating gown.





An operating room technician helps a medical student with his operating gown.


MilitaryHealth / Flickr / CC BY

Different states will have different requirements for employment in this field, so it’s important to research whichever state you plan to work in. Most employers require a nationally recognized certification. Depending on the state, the most recognized certifications are offered by NBSTSA or NCCT.

Average income: $41,790 per year, $20.09 per hour

3.Cardiovascular Tech : 30% growth

In ten years, there are expected to be nearly 17,000 new jobs available in this field. The market is already large, with over 50,000 jobs currently. Cardiovascular technologists play an important role in diagnosing and treating patients, for a number of conditions related to the heart and proper blood flow. Like the other careers on this list, cardiovascular techs make great pay and have numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Most employers hire techs with certificates or associate's degrees. Some may require you to be certified through ARDMS or CCI, but in most states it is not required. In order to open up more opportunities and advance your career, however, all cardiovascular techs should eventually plan to become registered through ARDMS.

Average income: $60,350 per year, $29.02 per hour

4.Medical Assistants : 29% growth

Medical assisting is one of the most common careers in allied health. 560,800 people currently work in this position. There is an expected 29% growth over the next decade. This jump in employment comes out to over 160,000 new jobs. Medical assistants are in a good position to move on to other types of allied health careers in clinics and laboratories, so this career should be an increasingly reliable option for people who want to get their feet in the door. Medical assistants can often work as medical secretaries as well, depending on location, making training in this field applicable to an even wider range of careers.








Wikimedia Commons / / CC0

In this field, certification is recommended but not required. The most recognized certifications for medical assistants are offered by AAMA and AMT.

Average income: $29,370 per year, $14.12 per hour

5.Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists : 22% growth

There are currently 90,000 Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists employed in the US. 22% growth puts this industry in the “faster than average” growth category, with just over 33,000 new jobs by 2022. These technicians perform a number of neurodiagnostic procedures that diagnose neurological disorders, affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. As a neurodiagnostic technologist, some of the tests you conduct help determine cerebral death, absence of activity in the brain, and whether or not a patient might recover from a coma.

Average income: $40,700 per year, $19.57 per hour

6.Medical Records and Health Information Technicians : 22% growth







As medical coding moves into the digital age, the demand for coders will grow.


Jackhsiao / wikimedia / CC BY

Average Income: $34,160 per year, $16.42 per hour

7.Respiratory Therapist : 19% growth







Respiratory Therapist


Wikimedia Commons / CC0

Licensure is required in most states (except Alaska), but what's needed varies. There are levels of certification offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care that roughly correspond to two and four-year degrees, and require coursework and an exam.

Average income: $55,870 per year, $26.86 per hour