When people say “I want to work in medicine,” they could mean dozens of different things. Medicine is not just being a doctor. It is a whole world of careers, each with its own education path, daily responsibilities, and ways of helping people. This page introduces you to some of the main healthcare careers available in the United States so you can start thinking about which ones sound interesting and exciting to you. You do not need to pick one now. This is just the beginning of your exploration.
Careers That Involve Diagnosing and Treating Patients
Physician (MD or DO): Physicians examine patients, figure out what is wrong (this is called diagnosing), and create treatment plans. Some physicians are generalists (family doctors who treat a wide range of conditions) and others are specialists (like surgeons who operate, cardiologists who focus on the heart, or pediatricians who treat children). Becoming a physician takes at least 11 years after high school: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 7 years of residency training. Physicians earn a median salary that exceeds $239,200 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See our physician career profile.
Physician Assistant (PA): PAs do many of the same things physicians do: examine patients, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and assist in surgeries. They complete a graduate program (usually about 2.5 years) after college. PAs earn a median salary of approximately $130,000. See our PA career profile.
Nurse Practitioner (NP): NPs are advanced practice nurses who can examine patients, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and manage treatment plans. They complete a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing after becoming a registered nurse. NPs earn a median salary of approximately $126,000. See our NP career profile.
Dentist: Dentists focus on oral health: teeth, gums, and the structures of the mouth. They fill cavities, perform root canals, extract teeth, fit braces (orthodontists), and diagnose oral diseases. Dental school takes 4 years after college. See our dentist career profile.
Careers Focused on Rehabilitation and Movement
Physical Therapist (PT): PTs help people recover from injuries, surgeries, and conditions that affect their ability to move. They design exercise programs, use hands-on techniques to improve mobility, and help people regain strength and function. PT school takes 3 years after college (Doctor of Physical Therapy degree). PTs earn a median salary of approximately $99,710. See our PT career profile.
Occupational Therapist (OT): OTs help people perform everyday activities (getting dressed, cooking, writing, using a computer) when illness, injury, or disability makes these tasks difficult. They work with patients of all ages, from children with developmental delays to adults recovering from strokes. OT school takes 2 to 3 years after college. See our OT career profile.
Careers in Emergency and Critical Care
EMT and Paramedic: Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics are the first medical responders when you call 911. They stabilize patients at the scene of accidents, heart attacks, and other emergencies, and transport them to the hospital. EMT training can be completed in a few months after high school, making this one of the fastest ways to start working in healthcare. Paramedic training takes 1 to 2 years and involves more advanced skills including medication administration and advanced airway management. See our EMT/Paramedic career profile.
Registered Nurse (RN): RNs work in every healthcare setting: hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, and patients’ homes. They monitor patients, administer medications, educate families, and coordinate care. Some RNs work in emergency departments, intensive care units, or operating rooms, providing critical care in high-pressure situations. RN training takes 2 to 4 years after high school. RNs earn a median salary of approximately $98,430. See our RN career profile.
Careers Behind the Scenes
Pharmacist: Pharmacists are medication experts. They dispense prescriptions, counsel patients on how to take their medications safely, check for drug interactions, and advise physicians on medication choices. Pharmacy school takes 4 years after completing at least 2 years of college prerequisites. See our pharmacist career profile.
Medical Laboratory Scientist: Lab scientists analyze blood, tissue, and other samples to help physicians diagnose diseases. When your doctor orders a blood test, a medical laboratory scientist is the person who runs the test and reports the results. See our lab scientist career profile.
Public Health Professional: Public health professionals work to prevent disease and promote health at the community and population level. They track the spread of diseases, develop health education programs, advocate for policies that improve health, and respond to outbreaks and emergencies. See our public health career profile.
How to Explore Further
This page is just an introduction. We have detailed career profiles for 39 healthcare careers on this site, each with education requirements, salary data, day-to-day responsibilities, and guidance on how to get started at every student level. Visit the healthcare careers section to explore all of them in much greater detail. If you are not sure which career interests you, try shadowing or volunteering (see our volunteering page) to see different healthcare workers in action.
Careers in Mental Health: Mental health professionals help people who are struggling with their emotions, thoughts, or behavior. Psychologists assess and treat mental health conditions through therapy and psychological testing. They typically earn a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD, which takes 5 to 7 years after college). Clinical social workers provide therapy, connect patients with community resources, and advocate for vulnerable populations. They earn a master’s degree in social work (2 years after college). Psychiatrists are physicians (MDs or DOs) who specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications. They complete medical school plus a 4-year psychiatry residency. Mental health is one of the fastest-growing areas of healthcare, and the need for mental health professionals far exceeds the current supply. See our psychologist career profile and clinical social worker career profile.
Careers in Science and Research: Not all healthcare careers involve direct patient care. Biomedical scientists conduct research to understand diseases and develop new treatments. They work in university laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies (like the NIH), and biotechnology firms. Genetic counselors help patients understand their genetic test results and make decisions about genetic conditions. Public health professionals study how diseases spread and design programs to prevent them. If you love science but are not sure about working directly with patients, these research and science-focused careers might be a good fit. See our biomedical scientist profile and genetic counselor profile.
How Much Do Healthcare Workers Earn? Healthcare careers generally pay well compared to most other professions. Physicians earn the highest salaries (a median exceeding $239,200 per year), followed by dentists, pharmacists, and podiatrists. PAs (approximately $130,000), NPs (approximately $126,000), and PTs (approximately $99,710) also earn strong salaries. RNs (approximately $98,430), OTs, and other allied health professionals earn solid middle-class incomes. Even entry-level healthcare positions (EMTs, medical assistants, dental hygienists) provide stable employment with benefits. Salary should not be the only reason you choose a career, but it is certainly a legitimate and important factor to consider, and healthcare consistently provides financial stability. All salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Healthcare Occupations.” BLS, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/. Accessed March 2026.