Healthcare Jobs Set the Pace for High-Paying Careers

The healthcare industry in the United States is beset by political uncertainty, increasing consumer costs and a shortage of qualified candidates to fill the available jobs.

Yet, healthcare remains one of the most lucrative careers in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 14 of the 20 highest-paying careers in the country were in the healthcare field as of December 2015.

Data released in May 2016 further supported that assessment, and gave greater detail about the mean salaries of the top-paying healthcare jobs. According to the BLS, the highest-paying healthcare job in the U.S., based on a mean salary of $269,600 is anesthesiologist, followed by surgeon at $252,910.

The BLS reported that practitioners in 21 healthcare career types earned a mean salary of $100,000 or more as of May 2016 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016):

1. Anesthesiologist – $269,600 mean salary – 30,190 active
2. Surgeon – $252,910 – 41,190
3. Obstetrician & Gynecologist – $234,310 – 19,800
4. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon – $232,870 – 5,380
5. Orthodontist – $228,780 – 5,200
6. Physician & Surgeon – $210,170 – 649,850
7. Internist, General – $201,840 – 45,290
8. Family & General Practitioner – $200,810 – 122,970
9. Psychiatrist – $200,220 – 24,820
10. Pediatrician, General – $184,240 – 26,960
11. Dentist, General – $173,860 – 105,620
12. Dentist, Specialist – $171,900 – 5,380
13. Prosthodontist – $168,140 – 750
14. Nurse Anesthetist – $164,030 – 39,860
15. Podiatrist – $144,110 – 9,800
16. Pharmacist – $120,270 – 305,510
17. Optometrist – $117,580 – 36,430
18. Nurse Practitioner – $104,610 – 150,230
19. Nurse Midwife – $102,390 – 6,270
20. Physician Assistant – $102,090 – 104,050
21. Veterinarian – $100,560 – 67,650

These were nationwide averages. The BLS also reported healthcare salary information broken down by major metropolitan areas, and the highest-paying positions varied from city to city.

For example, in the Boston metro area, the highest-paid healthcare workers were oral surgeons ($271,930), which was an annual increase of 11.1 percent. In Miami, dentists and dental specialists led the way with a mean salary of $272,950, a 14.4 percent increase.

In Los Angeles, psychiatrists were the highest-paid medical professionals at a mean salary of $251,270.

Looking ahead, the BLS estimates that healthcare professions are expected to remain at the forefront of salary growth through 2024. According to the latest salary growth estimates, four of the top nine industries in terms of anticipated salary growth are in the healthcare field: home healthcare services, nursing and residential care facilities, physician offices and hospital jobs.

Home healthcare services, in particular, are expected to experience significant salary growth from 2004-2024, with an annual rate increase of 4.8 percent – the largest rate increase among the top 20 leading salary growth industries.

When job growth and salary growth both are factored in, registered nurse is the most dynamic healthcare position, according to BLS estimates. RN positions, with an average nationwide salary of $66,640, are projected to increase through 2024 by 16 percent.