What Healthcare Jobs are In Demand Right Now?

If you’ve been thinking about a healthcare career, there’s no better time than now to make it happen.

Many healthcare jobs that are in demand right now. For example, nurses, respiratory therapists, certified nursing assistants, occupational therapists, healthcare managers and more are needed in hospitals and clinics.

Working in healthcare will allow you to have a rewarding and meaningful career. You’ll also have many job opportunities and a competitive salary.

The healthcare industry will experience more job growth than any other sector in the next 10 years. Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16% by 2030, adding about 2.6 million jobs in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The projected growth is due to an aging population, more access to health insurance through government programs, a renewed focus on preventative care and the pandemic.

In-Demand Healthcare Jobs

The most in-demand healthcare jobs include:

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses coordinate and provide care to patients in hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, nursing care facilities and patients’ homes.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nurses was $75,330 in 2020. Employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 9% through 2030. 

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree is the industry standard for employment. It allows you to gain the foundational knowledge and skills you need for a career as a nurse.

Nebraska Methodist College’s (NMC) traditional BSN program can be completed in four years. You can begin taking classes right out of high school or transfer from another college. If you have an associate or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in the 12-month Accelerated BSN program.

Once you have your BSN, the next step is a Master of Science in Nursing, which develops skills and knowledge to allow you to take on leadership roles.

Nurse Practitioner

As a nurse with a terminal degree signifying the height of your profession, you’ll be uniquely qualified to provide holistic healthcare treatment.

The median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $117,670 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average projected job growth for nurse practitioners is 45% through 2030, much faster than average for all occupations. 

You can get a Doctor of Nursing Practice in three tracks: APRN to DNP, BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP. Within those tracks are four programs: family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and public health policy.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapist assistants follow a physical therapist’s plan of care to return patients to their maximum level of physical function after an injury or illness.

The median annual salary for physical therapist assistants was $49,970 in 2020. The average projected job growth is 32% through 2030, which is much faster than average for all occupations.

In less than two years, you can earn your Associate of Science and begin providing care specified by a physical therapist.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists (OT) provide individualized care to people who have been injured, diagnosed with a disability or are experiencing debilitating changes because of age. OTs work in settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private clinics or patient’s homes.

The median annual salary for occupational therapists was $86,280 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The projected growth is 17% through 2030, faster than average for all occupations.

You can get your Master of Occupational Therapy. If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy, you can advance your studies with a Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate. You’ll hone your skills in the areas of clinical practice, research, administration, leadership, education and program development.

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists help patients who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and now, COVID-19. 

The profession allows you to evaluate and treat diverse patients. The types of patients respiratory therapists work with include premature infants lacking fully developed lungs, adults suffering from labored breathing and older adults suffering from a disease.

The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $62,810 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is expected to grow 23% through 2030, much faster than average among all occupations. 

You can get a dual Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy if you’re already a registered respiratory therapist or an Associate of Science in Respiratory Care.

Healthcare Manager

The healthcare industry is a revenue-generating business that requires capable leaders who can balance achieving revenue goals while meeting customers’ needs.

Healthcare managers and administrators play a crucial role in the success of patient care. They plan and direct health and medical departments or facilities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for healthcare managers was $104,280. The average growth rate for healthcare management jobs is much faster than average at 32% through 2030.

You can get a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare.

Radiologic Technologist

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging exams on patients and work in hospitals, clinics or other diagnostic imaging centers.

The median annual salary for radiologic technologists was $63,710 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is projected to grow 9% through 2030.

You can get an Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology, a 24-month program that includes hands-on experience at off-campus clinical sites.

Phlebotomist

As a Phlebotomist, you'll collect, transport, handle and process blood and other specimens for medical analysis. In addition, you'll work with both patients and other healthcare professionals.

Phlebotomists work in settings as varied as physician offices and medical clinics, hospitals and commercial laboratories.

Phlebotomists had a median annual salary of $36,320 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is expected to grow 22% through 2030.

You can become a phlebotomist during a nine-week hybrid course with a three-week clinical experience. Courses include online learning, on-campus laboratories and clinical externships at local hospitals and clinical laboratories.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified nursing assistants work closely with patients daily to provide essential care. They also assist healthcare providers with basic medical procedures. 

Nursing Assistant salaries in the United States vary by work setting and experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the median annual salary for nursing assistants was $30,830 in 2020. The projected growth rate is 8% through 2030.

You can become a certified nursing assistant by enrolling in a four-week on-campus program and a six-week online hybrid program.

Healthcare Hiring Bonuses and Benefits

Healthcare facilities, including Methodist Hospital, are offering hiring bonuses of up to $12,500 for in-demand jobs.

In addition to hiring bonuses, healthcare facilities offer competitive salaries and tuition forgiveness to recruit qualified applicants.

Healthcare employers will often provide tuition assistance for continuing education such as specialty certificates, bachelor’s degrees or graduate degrees. 

Methodist Health System’s Tuition Assistance Program provides up to $3.500 a year for employees who enroll at NMC. 

Healthcare Job Placement Support

NMC offers one-on-one job coaching to help students with job placement. Andrew Skarka, director of career and financial wellness in the Institutional Effectiveness Department, helps students write resumes and cover letters and provides guidance for interviews.

You can contact Skarka at andrew.skarka@methodistcollege.edu.

How to Get a Degree in Healthcare

NMC provides high-quality education to future healthcare professionals.

You can schedule a personalized visit at NMC, virtually or on campus. You’ll meet one-on-one with an admissions coordinator and ask any questions you may have.

If you’re ready, you can apply online in as little as 10 minutes.