Pharmacists atop healthcare pay list

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Pharmacy is the top-paying healthcare career in the United States, according to a study released today.

Best Medical Degrees, an online publication dedicated to providing accurate and useful information for prospective students considering a career in medicine, has compiled a list of the 50 top paying healthcare careers in the United States.

Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics and rankings provided by the U.S. News and World Report and Forbes Magazine, Best Medical Degrees has researched support and ancillary healthcare careers to identify the best paying positions.

According to a PRNewswire press release, the three highest salaries are pharmacists ($120,950), podiatrists ($120,700), and advanced practice nurses ($102,670). The three lowest salaries are in the fields of paramedics ($31,700), dental assistants ($37,390), and addiction and rehabilitation counselors ($39,270).

The list can be viewed at http://www.bestmedicaldegrees.com/50-top-paying-healthcare-careers/.

Arguably, the healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing areas of employment in the United States with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting job growth of 23 percent over the next decade. This growth is due, in part, to more people with insurance access and the aging of the large baby boomer population. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 974,000 new jobs will be created between 2014-24.

Salary ranges for healthcare careers vary depending on degree and the area of study and licensure requirements, but can range anywhere from $20,000 to $102,950 annually. Since the educational requirements for healthcare careers are in such great demand, colleges and universities are expanding their degree opportunities, and many are offering accredited, online degree programs in a variety of fields.

"The scope of healthcare employment opportunities is very broad," says Best Medical Degrees editor Susan Kemppainen, "since hospitals, private practices, and health systems require a variety of skills from public relations to computer technology. In addition to clinical skills, healthcare employers are looking for people to fill ancillary and support positions."

Best Medical Degrees is an independent online publication dedicated to providing accurate and useful information for prospective students considering a career in medicine. In addition to medical school profiles, reviews, and rankings, students will find online resource guides for a variety of medical fields, medical career and salary information, as well as interesting articles and infographics on medical related topics.