12 of the Best-Paying Jobs in Health Care

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Many of the top-paying health care careers have to do with patient care. Learn about some of the top job titles by salary and the required education for each.

[Featured Image]: A woman with long brown hair and smiling. She is wearing blue scrubs with white trim. She has a stethoscope around her neck. She is talking to a woman wearing a multi-colored sweater and a head covering.

Key takeaways

  • Health care tends to be a high-paying industry given the advanced degrees and specialized knowledge often required to work in it.

  • Beyond offering several high-paying career options, health care is poised to grow, which can translate to job security and professional growth opportunities [1].

  • While doctors and surgeons earn notably high salaries, there are plenty of other health care roles where you can earn a high salary.

Learn more about the highest-paying jobs in health care, including salaries, job growth estimations, and major responsibiilities.

12 highest-paying jobs in the health care industry

There are many kinds of health care jobs to choose from if you want to earn a high salary. All salary data is from Glassdoor, as of September 2025.

1. Physician

Physicians are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries in their patients. Doctors examine patients, record their medical histories, perform diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. They may assess and advise on preventative health care, such as improving one’s diet, nutrition, or exercise regimen.

Doctors work in clinics, urgent care facilities, hospitals, and more, and can choose to work in a variety of specialties, from pediatrics to dermatology. This profession can be incredibly rewarding for those willing to put in the time and effort to become one, well-suited for intelligent, conscientious, and professional individuals.

  • Median total pay: $310,000

  • Education requirements: Professional degree, such as a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

2. Dentist

Dentists are the physicians of the teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. They diagnose and treat any issues that may arise, including advising on proper care and diet to improve dental health.

Day-to-day tasks might include removing decay from teeth, filling cavities, examining x-rays of the teeth, gums, and jaw, and prescribing medications, night guards, or dentures. Aspiring dentists should be detail-oriented, honest, trustworthy, and approachable. You should prioritize educating patients about the importance of their teeth to overall health.

  • Median total pay: $248,000

  • Education requirements: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)

3. Podiatrist

Podiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in the care of the feet, ankles, and lower legs. They provide medical and surgical care for these areas of the body, diagnosing any illnesses or injuries that a patient may have. Podiatrists can perform surgeries to treat fractures and prescribe inserts to improve mobility.

  • Median total pay: $201.000

  • Education requirements: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

4. Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and advise on the safe drug usage and storage. Drug stores and pharmacies may also conduct health screenings, administer immunizations and flu shots, and advise patients on diet, exercise, and stress management. Good traits for pharmacists include kindness, a good memory, and being able to manage the business side of the pharmacy.

5. Optometrist

Optometrists are medical professionals who assess the eyes and other parts of the visual system. They examine, diagnose, and treat any visual problems, diseases, injuries, and disorders of the eyes. Optometrists also prescribe corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses.

As an optometrist, you should possess excellent communication skills and the ability to work with precision, since the eyes are an essential and delicate part of the human body.

  • Median total pay: $246,000

  • Education requirements: Doctor of Optometry (OD) and a state-based license

6. Physician assistant

Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. This role performs many of the same tasks as a physician—examining, diagnosing, and treating patients—but does not require the same level of education.

PAs record patients’ medical histories, examine and monitor their health, run and analyze diagnostic tests such as X-rays and blood tests, and give treatment for injuries or diseases. A physician assistant should be calm, approachable, collaborative, and adaptable.

  • Median total pay: $205,000

  • Education requirements: Master’s degree program

7. Nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners, along with nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives, are different types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who help coordinate and provide patient care. APRNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, monitor their progress, create patient care plans, perform diagnostic tests, operate medical equipment, and provide medicines.

APRNs may work independently or collaborate with physicians. Much of their work is similar to registered nurses, though APRNs have additional training and specializations, and tend to focus on patient-centered care.

8. Veterinarian

Veterinarians are care providers for animals. They examine, diagnose, and treat medical conditions in pets, livestock, and other animals, sometimes performing surgery or dressing wounds. You can specialize in pets as a companion animal veterinarian, or in livestock as a food animal veterinarian or food safety and inspection veterinarian.

In addition to enjoying working with animals, you should be a compassionate problem solver and decision-maker because your patients cannot communicate with you the same way humans can.

  • Median total pay: $202,000

  • Education requirements: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD)

9. Physical therapist

Physical therapists help individuals with injuries improve their movement, manage pain, and increase mobility. They often work with patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries to provide rehabilitation, treatment, and preventative care.

Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients using exercises, stretching, therapy, and equipment to alleviate and prevent pain. As a physical therapist, you should be determined because the recovery process can be slow and difficult for patients, and you should be supportive, resilient, and sociable.

  • Median total pay: $128,000

  • Education requirements: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

10. Radiation therapist

Radiation therapists provide radiation treatment to patients afflicted with serious health conditions, such as thyroid disease or cancer. Through the use of special machinery, radiation therapists administer doses of radiation remotely to patients from behind a pane of glass to reduce the possibility of being exposed to high levels of radiation themselves.

Radiation therapists are key members of an oncology team who are critical in reducing and, in some cases, even eradicating cancerous growths in patients. To accomplish this challenging task, radiation therapists must combine a deep understanding of radiation equipment with compassion, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills to deliver the best possible care to patients. 

  • Median total pay: $119,000

  • Education requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree in a health care field, such as radiation therapy, biology, or science technology, and state licensure

11. Genetic counselor 

Genetic counselors advise individuals and families about genetic conditions that may affect their health. Through an assessment of a patient’s family history, genetic counselors provide their clients with a thorough understanding of any hereditary conditions they may possess, ways to manage them, and any ethical considerations that may arise from living with (or passing on) such a condition. Some common hereditary conditions genetic counselors may discuss include Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell disease. 

Genetic counselors can assist a wide range of patients, including individuals, families, and prospective parents concerned about passing on a hereditary condition to their children. Successful genetic counselors must possess strong communication skills.

  • Median total pay: $132,000

  • Education requirements: Master’s degree in genetic counseling

12. Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists treat patients who are injured, ill, or disabled, helping them recover and acquire the necessary skills for daily living and working. They examine and treat patients who may encounter disabilities when performing certain tasks after an illness, such as a stroke.

Some may evaluate a patient's home or workplace to improve their environment, such as labeling filing cabinets for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. As an occupational therapist, you must be creative and resourceful to identify innovative ways to improve a patient’s day-to-day tasks, and be observant and adaptable to accommodate their changing needs over time.

  • Median total pay: $108,000

  • Education requirements: At least a master’s degree in occupational therapy (though some occupational therapists have a doctoral degree) and an occupational therapy license

Advance your medical knowledge on Coursera

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses from over 350 top universities and companies.

Article sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Healthcare Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm.” Accessed September 30, 2025.

Updated on
Written by:

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.