Best Health Care Jobs That Don’t Require Medical School in 2024
If you’re looking for medical jobs that don’t require medical school, here are 10 options to consider. (Best Health Care Jobs)
Healthcare is a fast-growing field with diverse employment opportunities. While physicians remain integral to patient care, many healthcare careers do not require medical school.
These range from jobs after high school to jobs that require higher education.
The best healthcare careers for those who want to provide nursing but don’t want to go to medical school, according to our list of the 100 Best Jobs. Occupational data comes from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Nurse Practitioners and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Median salary: $48,820
- Educational Requirements: Post-Secondary Non-Degree
Licensed Nurse Practitioners and Licensed Vocational Nurses are often on the front lines of patient care. They can check vital signs, bandage wounds, and assist patients with various tasks.
These nurses also have one of the best medical jobs that don’t require a degree. Instead, to begin working in the field, workers must complete a state-approved certification program before being licensed. (Best Health Care Jobs)
Home health aide
- Median salary: $27,080
- Education requirements: high school
Job opportunities for home health assistants are expected to increase significantly in the coming years. As the country’s population ages, more seniors may seek help to stay home safely.
Home Health Aide provides:
- Help with everyday tasks.
- Check vital signs.
- Help with medication.
- Provide other essential care services.
These are medical jobs with no degree requirements, and a high school diploma is sufficient for most positions.
Occupational therapist
- Median salary: $86,280
- Education requirements: Master’s degree
Occupational therapists work with people to help improve their ability to perform everyday tasks. They can help recover from injury or illness or provide treatment for people with disabilities.
Occupational therapists require an advanced degree but do not require the same time commitment as medical school. After earning a master’s degree, occupational therapists must pass a licensure exam and complete supervised fieldwork. (Best Health Care Jobs)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Median salary: $75,920
- Education Requirements: Associate’s Degree
From ultrasounds of developing babies to sonograms of organs, diagnostic medical sonographers allow medical professionals to look inside the human body.
They use specialized equipment to create images for diagnosing and treating various diseases. Most diagnostic medical sonographers spend two years in college and earn an associate’s degree.
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Nurse anesthetist
- Median salary: $183,580
- Education requirements: Master’s degree
A nurse anesthetist is among the highest paying jobs that do not require medical school. These workers must have completed a master’s degree program and have at least one year of critical care experience.
They can then take a national certification exam and become eligible to administer general or regional anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery or other procedures. (Best Health Care Jobs)
Respiratory therapist
- Median salary: $62,810
- Education Requirements: Associate’s Degree
Respiratory therapists help people improve lung function and often work with patients with chronic conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
Recently, these professionals have been called to help those who have recovered from COVID-19. This career path forgoes medical school and requires an associate’s degree.
Registered nurse
- Median salary: $75,330
- Education requirements: Undergraduate
Registered nurses have another job on the front lines of healthcare. These professionals monitor patients, administer medications, and may even perform some medical procedures.
While RNs can earn associate degrees and diploma programs, the bachelor’s degree is becoming the standard education in the field.
Speech-Language Pathologist
- Median salary: $80,480
- Education requirements: Master’s degree
A master’s degree, not a medical degree, is the formal education for speech-language pathologists.
These therapists can be found in schools and medical settings as they work with people to improve speech and language skills and address swallowing problems.
Most states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed, including completing a clinical fellowship or a certain amount of supervised work.
Physician assistant
- Median salary: $115,390
- Education requirements: Master’s degree
Despite their name, physician assistants can see patients independently and often perform many of the same roles as doctors.
They can diagnose and treat disease, perform medical procedures, and possibly assist with surgery. In many cases, they can also write prescriptions.
To do this, physician assistants must complete specialized graduate education courses, be licensed, and collaborate with physicians to provide patient care.
Nurse Practitioner
- Median salary: $111,680
- Education requirements: Master’s degree
Although their duties may vary by state law, nurse practitioners in many areas perform the same functions as doctors and physician assistants.
They can perform physical examinations, treat patients, and prescribe prescriptions. Nurse practitioners have one of the best and highest paying jobs that don’t require medical school, but they must earn an advanced degree and pass a certification exam before starting work.
