Updated March 12, 2024
You can still get paid a high salary in the medical field, even if you’re not a doctor. Non-physician roles are increasing in availability, and medical organizations are willing to pay top dollar to secure the best talent. This is your chance to find the ideal job at a medical facility near you or anywhere around the country.
Non-physician positions that pay high salaries
When searching for a position that pays exceptionally well but doesn’t require you to be a physician, you should consider these options.
Radiologist
You might also hear these amazing men and women referred to as radiographers or MRI techs. The responsibilities in this lucrative position include taking x-rays and operating MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans.
Your job is to help physicians with diagnostics. Working as a radiologist puts you in a very important healthcare role that could have you making an average annual salary of $61,240. As a magnetic resonance imaging technologist, you can make a median annual wage of $80,090.
Opportunities exist now for this position, which is predicted to grow by 7% through 2029. An average of about 15,700 postings per year for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected through 2032.
To qualify, you will need a minimum of an associate degree.
Respiratory therapist
Covid-19 highlighted the dire need for respiratory therapists, who are tasked with helping patients breathe easier.
Respiratory therapist responsibilities include the treatment of a range of breathing disorders and chronic diseases like emphysema or asthma.
This role is expected to grow at a rate of 13% by 2032 on account of a growing elderly population. To become a respiratory therapist, you will need a minimum of an associate degree. Some states require you to become licensed (Alaska is the exception).
This non-physician healthcare position pays an average of $74,310 per year, making it a higher-paying role than a registered nurse and radiologic technologist.
Prosthetic professional
Orthotic and prosthetic professionals are tasked with the design, fabrication, measuring, and fitting of orthotic and prosthetic devices. Your responsibilities may vary in this role. Prosthetic professionals can work in healthcare settings or in laboratories.
You could manage artificial limbs, surgical prosthetic devices, or medical braces. To qualify for this position, you would need a minimum of a master’s degree. This role is expected to grow by 15% by 2032 and pays an average median salary of $77,070.
About 800 positions are expected to be open each year for prosthetic professionals. Most of these positions are the result of workers exiting the workforce as they age into retirement.
Nurse anesthetist
A nurse anesthetist is a non-physician medical role that puts you in charge of providing anesthesia and related care during surgical procedures. You may find yourself assisting with therapeutic, diagnostic, or obstetrical procedures.
You must have a master’s degree from an accredited medical program and be certified as an RN. Qualifications also include at least one year of clinical experience, which is a prerequisite for admission to an accredited nurse anesthetist program.
Most candidates have experience working as an RN in critical care or an acute care setting. The position pays an average of $203,090 per year.
Vascular technologist
Vascular technologists use specialized equipment to create images and engage in patient testing for the purposes of helping doctors make informed diagnostics. You might also hear this role referred to as a diagnostic medical sonographer, cardiovascular technologist, or cardiovascular technician.
You might find yourself working in a doctor’s office, hospital, or lab. Some prefer to work part-time, but most work full-time. To qualify for this position, you would need a minimum of an associate degree while some employers require certification. The role is expected to grow by 10% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than other occupations.
The median annual wage for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $81,350.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist or dietician focuses on making sure patients eat a nutritious diet while promoting good health. They are responsible for treating ailments like obesity and weight-related comorbidities like type 2 diabetes. They also use their knowledge to educate patients and their families about the nuances of healthy diets and how to manage various diseases.
Dieticians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and more.
This role is expected to increase in availability by 8% through 2029 as healthcare facilities increase their understanding of the connection between health and diet. To qualify as a nutritionist, you need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but you don’t need any related work experience. Some states require nutritionists and dieticians to be licensed.
The role pays an average annual salary of $66,450. The average hourly rate is $31.95.
Physician assistant
Physician assistants, or PAs, assist doctors and surgeons to examine patients, diagnose ailments, and treat illnesses or injuries. You may find yourself reviewing a patient’s medical history or prescribing medication. You may also counsel patients about the status of their health.
PAs need a master’s degree from an accredited program, which takes around two years of full-time study to complete. Most states require licenses for physician assistants, which means you’ll need to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam.
This position is expected to grow by 27% by 2032, which is much faster than average. The median pay for this position is $126,010 a year.
Nurse midwife
As a nurse midwife, you would specialize in women’s health issues. You might find yourself performing gynecological examinations or providing prenatal care. Nurse midwives also help patients with family planning services and can assist pregnant women during labor and delivery.
This role is expected to grow by 38% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing, and requires at least a master’s degree from an accredited medical program. You must also possess an RN license before pursuing your education to become a nurse midwife. The position pays a median of $125,900 a year. Hourly rates can be around $60.53.
Registered nurse (RN)
Registered nurses or RNs provide and coordinate patient care. RNs examine patients, record their observations, administer medications, and provide treatments. Nurses can also assist doctors, monitor medical equipment, and teach patients how to manage their injuries or illnesses.
Registered nurses work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, schools, outpatient clinics, and more.
To become a registered nurse, you would need to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, earn an associate degree in nursing, or earn a diploma from an accredited nursing program. You must be licensed as an RN.
The median annual salary for an RN is $81,220, with an hourly rate of $39.05. This role is expected to grow by 6% by 2032.
Start applying for high-paying non-physician jobs
As you can see, there are many positions available that pay excellent salaries in healthcare and that don’t require an MD. You can start applying for these positions by partnering with Prolink. At Prolink, we advocate on your behalf to get you hired right away. We can assist with your resume, job submissions, onboarding, and more. Click below to start your job search now.
