Highest-paying healthcare jobs
The best-paid is pediatric surgeons, with a median of $559,030 a year. 37 of the 88 occupations here have a median of $100,000 or more. The median for all U.S. occupations is $50,980.
How this list is built. Occupations in the healthcare practitioners and technical group (SOC 29) and the healthcare support group (SOC 31).
Source BLS-OEWS · Period May 2025 · # = national rank shown on each page88 records · annual wages, USD
| No. | Occupation | Median | Top 10% earn over | Typical entry | Jobs 2025–35 | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatric Surgeons | $559,030 | $726,660 | Doctoral/prof. | +2.0% | 1,190 |
| 2 | Cardiologists | $496,010 | $712,130 | Doctoral/prof. | +4.8% | 17,290 |
| 3 | Radiologists | $420,860 | $594,410 | Doctoral/prof. | +3.4% | 26,770 |
| 4 | Surgeons, All Other | $414,010 | $655,320 | Doctoral/prof. | +4.0% | 25,140 |
| 5 | Anesthesiologists | $391,490 | $557,130 | Doctoral/prof. | +3.6% | 38,760 |
| 6 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $358,550 | $659,290 | Doctoral/prof. | +4.0% | 14,100 |
| 7 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $352,220 | $622,640 | Doctoral/prof. | +5.6% | 4,910 |
| 8 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $335,550 | $495,910 | Doctoral/prof. | +3.2% | 32,880 |
| 9 | Dermatologists | $328,730 | $578,560 | Doctoral/prof. | +6.8% | 11,370 |
| 10 | Physicians, Pathologists | $312,400 | $449,970 | Doctoral/prof. | +4.8% | 11,110 |
| 11 | Prosthodontists | $311,180 | $344,750 | Doctoral/prof. | +5.8% | 870 |
| 12 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $300,080 | $489,710 | Doctoral/prof. | +4.5% | 8,950 |
| 13 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $292,910 | $437,300 | Doctoral/prof. | +1.7% | 21,260 |
| 14 | Orthodontists | $289,140 | $416,000 | Doctoral/prof. | +6.0% | 6,210 |
| 15 | Psychiatrists | $281,870 | $446,520 | Doctoral/prof. | +7.2% | 27,980 |
| 16 | Physicians, All Other | $265,930 | $452,360 | Doctoral/prof. | +3.4% | 342,720 |
| 17 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $256,560 | $475,430 | Doctoral/prof. | +4.0% | 67,150 |
| 18 | Neurologists | $248,560 | $450,780 | Doctoral/prof. | +6.4% | 10,590 |
| 19 | Family Medicine Physicians | $244,180 | $428,550 | Doctoral/prof. | +3.3% | 107,510 |
| 20 | Nurse Anesthetists | $236,590 | $339,500 | Master's | +9.7% | 51,840 |
| 21 | Dentists, All Other Specialists | $224,990 | $402,700 | Doctoral/prof. | +1.3% | 5,230 |
| 22 | Pediatricians, General | $210,040 | $338,500 | Doctoral/prof. | +1.5% | 39,390 |
| 23 | Dentists, General | $170,950 | $319,630 | Doctoral/prof. | +5.7% | 124,390 |
| 24 | Podiatrists | $160,300 | $309,670 | Doctoral/prof. | +2.0% | 9,680 |
| 25 | Medical Dosimetrists | $147,470 | $185,450 | Bachelor's | +5.0% | 3,410 |
| 26 | Pharmacists | $140,910 | $174,230 | Doctoral/prof. | +5.2% | 321,970 |
| 27 | Optometrists | $136,570 | $202,180 | Doctoral/prof. | +9.5% | 42,790 |
| 28 | Physician Assistants | $135,880 | $190,280 | Master's | +21.1% | 162,150 |
| 29 | Nurse Midwives | $134,040 | $188,320 | Master's | +11.5% | 7,920 |
| 30 | Nurse Practitioners | $132,300 | $174,420 | Master's | +41.0% | 323,040 |
| 31 | Veterinarians | $130,100 | $215,700 | Doctoral/prof. | +9.4% | 83,900 |
| 32 | Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $115,210 | $195,190 | Master's | +5.5% | 28,630 |
| 33 | Radiation Therapists | $105,310 | $156,710 | Associate | +2.8% | 17,070 |
| 34 | Physical Therapists | $102,760 | $135,140 | Doctoral/prof. | +11.9% | 267,330 |
| 35 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $101,370 | $134,500 | Associate | +4.4% | 17,080 |
| 36 | Occupational Therapists | $100,330 | $131,950 | Master's | +14.8% | 162,450 |
| 37 | Genetic Counselors | $100,040 | $138,760 | Master's | +10.4% | 3,740 |
| 38 | Dental Hygienists | $98,100 | $126,050 | Associate | +8.0% | 222,740 |
| 39 | Speech-Language Pathologists | $97,870 | $134,160 | Master's | +16.6% | 183,390 |
| 40 | Registered Nurses | $97,550 | $137,470 | Bachelor's | +5.6% | 3,379,720 |
| 41 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $96,590 | $129,370 | Associate | +13.9% | 90,160 |
| 42 | Audiologists | $95,780 | $133,120 | Doctoral/prof. | +11.0% | 13,660 |
| 43 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists | $95,480 | $127,670 | Associate | +7.7% | 43,390 |
| 44 | Respiratory Therapists | $82,280 | $118,050 | Associate | +8.5% | 139,790 |
| 45 | Orthotists and Prosthetists | $81,110 | $119,810 | Master's | +12.9% | 9,390 |
| 46 | Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,110 | $118,660 | Associate | +5.0% | 230,490 |
| 47 | Chiropractors | $79,200 | $146,080 | Doctoral/prof. | +8.7% | 39,630 |
| 48 | Therapists, All Other | $77,930 | $152,530 | Bachelor's | +12.6% | 22,640 |
| 49 | Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,400 | $103,720 | Bachelor's | +7.7% | 77,570 |
| 50 | Acupuncturists | $76,040 | $161,470 | Master's | +8.6% | 7,830 |
| 51 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,310 | $121,350 | Associate | +3.7% | 62,960 |
| 52 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | $72,300 | $89,780 | Associate | +21.5% | 51,290 |
| 53 | Physical Therapist Assistants | $68,380 | $89,510 | Associate | +23.0% | 112,430 |
| 54 | Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $68,020 | $117,420 | Associate | +15.9% | 38,100 |
| 55 | Surgical Assistants | $66,800 | $107,610 | Certificate | +6.1% | 22,270 |
| 56 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $65,790 | $129,830 | Certificate | +5.1% | 35,010 |
| 57 | Hearing Aid Specialists | $65,160 | $94,020 | High school | +19.4% | 11,270 |
| 58 | Surgical Technologists | $64,650 | $96,940 | Certificate | +5.0% | 117,460 |
| 59 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,400 | $83,440 | Certificate | +3.0% | 648,410 |
| 60 | Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,930 | $100,990 | Bachelor's | +2.7% | 332,940 |
| 61 | Athletic Trainers | $62,520 | $88,760 | Master's | +12.7% | 30,500 |
| 62 | Recreational Therapists | $61,960 | $100,420 | Bachelor's | +4.8% | 14,930 |
| 63 | Paramedics | $60,600 | $84,850 | Certificate | +5.7% | 100,610 |
| 64 | Exercise Physiologists | $59,460 | $80,560 | Bachelor's | +12.8% | 8,560 |
| 65 | Massage Therapists | $58,450 | $100,200 | Certificate | +15.3% | 98,790 |
| 66 | Medical Records Specialists | $51,140 | $81,150 | Certificate | +7.8% | 194,720 |
| 67 | Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | $85,270 | Certificate | +5.9% | 182,610 |
| 68 | Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | $71,470 | High school | +4.8% | 109,740 |
| 69 | Dental Assistants | $48,070 | $62,250 | Certificate | +7.4% | 387,790 |
| 70 | Medical Equipment Preparers | $47,700 | $69,950 | High school | +10.8% | 77,420 |
| 71 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,380 | $63,180 | Associate | +9.4% | 129,140 |
| 72 | Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | $76,750 | High school | +4.2% | 73,530 |
| 73 | Pharmacy Technicians | $45,750 | $61,040 | High school | +6.4% | 471,680 |
| 74 | Medical Assistants | $45,690 | $59,310 | Certificate | +12.9% | 817,870 |
| 75 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $45,570 | $61,940 | Certificate | +21.4% | 71,010 |
| 76 | Phlebotomists | $45,230 | $58,780 | Certificate | +6.8% | 143,540 |
| 77 | Psychiatric Technicians | $45,130 | $60,750 | Certificate | +22.3% | 156,960 |
| 78 | Psychiatric Aides | $44,910 | $60,440 | High school | +1.9% | 35,520 |
| 79 | Emergency Medical Technicians | $44,470 | $62,500 | Certificate | +5.8% | 180,510 |
| 80 | Nursing Assistants | $42,260 | $51,980 | Certificate | +2.6% | 1,448,910 |
| 81 | Medical Transcriptionists | $40,410 | $55,950 | Certificate | -4.4% | 41,550 |
| 82 | Occupational Therapy Aides | $39,160 | $70,200 | High school | +3.6% | 4,310 |
| 83 | Orderlies | $38,290 | $50,600 | High school | +4.0% | 52,440 |
| 84 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,150 | $49,150 | High school | +9.1% | 126,580 |
| 85 | Pharmacy Aides | $37,680 | $56,010 | High school | -0.7% | 39,530 |
| 86 | Dietetic Technicians | $37,640 | $54,020 | Associate | +2.7% | 31,560 |
| 87 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,800 | $45,040 | High school | +18.1% | 4,305,810 |
| 88 | Physical Therapist Aides | $35,240 | $47,780 | High school | +4.0% | 48,150 |
“No.” is the position in this list. Each occupation page shows its rank among all occupations. Wages exclude the self-employed, overtime and non-production bonuses.