What Healthcare Profession is Right for You?

You want to make a professional, expert decision when searching for a new career. You want a job that's high in demand and offers a positive return on your investment in necessary education. Flexible hours would be fantastic, too.

Enter the healthcare industry, where you can have it all. And guess what? You don't need a medical degree to land a lucrative job. We've sifted through the Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the best-paying medical jobs that don't require more than a certificate. This means you can jumpstart your dream job journey in healthcare.

Case Management

• Median salary: $43,750
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and certificate
• Job growth rate: 12 percent

Case management is a dynamic and collaborative process aimed at assessing, planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating the options and services needed to meet an individual's health and human service needs. It's a role that involves working with clients, families, and service providers to ensure that the client's needs are met promptly and efficiently. As your community expands, the demand for this role will only increase, offering numerous opportunities for career growth and a promising future.

Medication Aide

• Median salary: $33,670
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and certificate
• Job growth rate: 25 percent

A medication aide, also known as a medication assistant or medication technician, is a certified healthcare professional who assists with administering medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse or other healthcare provider. They typically work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare environments. Med aides have various specialties, which explains why this job is projected to grow by 25 percent through 2026.

Medical Administrative Assistant

• Median salary: $34,610
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and certificate
• Job growth rate: 5 percent

Medical administrative assistants work in a similar environment to clinical medical assistants, typically in doctors' offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. They perform slightly different duties, such as scheduling appointments, checking in patients, and handling patient communications. Also called medical secretaries, these professionals are skilled multi-taskers and have excellent customer service skills — if this sounds like you, you may have found your perfect fit.

Behavioral Health Tech

• Median salary: $37,630
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and 30-hour certificate
• Job growth rate: 19 percent

Many behavioral health techs enjoy flexible hours, and they are frequently able to work part-time. This is an active position involving many tasks throughout the day, from patient check-in to check-out. Those who may find "standard" office jobs dull will love the busy atmosphere of BHT — and the projected growth rate of 19 percent is well above average.

Restorative Aide

• Median salary: $33,430
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and 32-hour certificate
• Job growth rate: 30 percent

Seeing tangible results from your work is one of the most rewarding experiences —working in a rehab center or ALF can provide that. As a restorative aide, you'll observe patients, record notes, provide education, and help people get back on track. This occupation has the highest job growth rate on our list, expected to rise by 30 percent by 2026. You'll want to get in on the ground floor on this one!

Medical Coding and Billing

• Median salary: $39,180
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and certificate
• Job growth rate: 13 percent

Medical coding is a great job opportunity for ambitious high school graduates. You'll need to go on to earn a certification from one of the well-known organizations, such as the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). As you gain experience, you can continue earning certifications — and increasing your salary. In fact, this is one of the highest-paid medical professions that doesn't require a degree. What's not to love? It's an extraordinary opportunity!

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

• Median salary: $34,310
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and certificate
• Job growth rate: 12 percent

Crisis prevention and intervention refer to strategies and actions to prevent, manage, and resolve situations threatening individuals or groups' physical or psychological well-being. These situations can range from personal crises, such as mental health emergencies, to larger-scale incidents, such as natural disasters or violent events. If you work well under pressure and love a stimulating environment, this could be your job.

Caregiver Aide

• Median salary: $37,590
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and 40-hour certificate
• Job growth rate: 18 percent

A caregiver is a person who provides assistance and support to individuals who may need help with daily activities due to age, illness, disability, or other conditions. This role can be fulfilled by family members, friends, or professional caregivers.

Peer Support Specialist

• Median salary: $38,770
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and 40-hour certificate
• Job growth rate: 13 percent

If you are interested in mental health, becoming a peer support specialist could be the perfect fit. Peer specialists work behind the scenes in the medical industry, helping others with their recovery. This is a vital supporting role in the mental health field and comes with a sense of achievement at the end of each day. It's both helpful and rewarding!

Clinical Medical Assistant

• Median salary: $38,480
• Degree required: High school diploma, GED, and certificate
• Job growth rate: 29 percent

If you thrive in a dynamic work environment with a variety of tasks, the role of a clinical medical assistant could be your perfect fit. Each day, from recording medical histories and taking vital signs to administering injections, will bring new and engaging tasks. The best part? Clinical medical assistants are in high demand, with a job growth rate of 29 percent, the second-highest rate on our list. Get ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of this exciting career.

As you explore the best-paying jobs in the medical field, you'll find that many are available by earning a certificate. Healthcare careers are ideal for many students, from those looking for a career change to those who want to earn more without committing to a four-year college. Keep exploring, and you'll be sure to find the right fit for you in this wonderful, reliable, and lucrative field.

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Hazel Institute's flexible online healthcare classes can help you prepare for the next steps toward your desired career. Learn which healthcare career is right for you, or get started today.