Exploring Health Care Careers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the health care industry will have the largest growth in jobs compared to all other industries. In the next few years 26% of all new jobs will be created in the health care and social assistance industry. This includes jobs in public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, individual care, and family services. That equals an estimated 4 million new job opportunities.
Below is a short list of some of the health care occupations that will experience growth in Texas. Using your Interest code from Assess Yourself, you can begin exploring some of these occupations.
| Occupation |
Interest Code |
Education |
Average annual salary |
Average annual job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Biomedical Engineer |
IR | Bachelor's degree | $86,500 | 140 |
|
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer |
ISR | Associate's degree | $64,300 | 240 |
|
Home Health Aides |
SRC |
High school diploma plus on-the-job training. |
$18,500 | 5220 |
|
Personal Care Aide |
SRC |
High school diploma plus on-the-job training. |
$17,700 | 7680 |
|
Medical Secretary |
CS |
High school diploma plus on-the-job training. |
$28,900 | 3380 |
|
Occupational Therapy Assistant |
SR |
Associate's degree and on- the-job training. |
$63,700 | 110 |
|
Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician |
RIS |
Associate's degree and on- the-job training. |
$51,000 | 180 |
|
Physical Therapist Assistant |
SRI |
Associate's degree and on- the-job training. |
$64,500 | 250 |
| Health Educators | SE | Bachelor's degree | $46,700 | 210 |
|
Respiratory Therapist |
SIR |
Associate's degree and training. |
$54,100 | 570 |
|
Radiologic Technologist |
RS |
Associate's degree and on- the-job training. |
$52,000 | 790 |
|
Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic |
SIR | Some college. | $29,700 | 810 |
|
Healthcare Social Worker |
SIA | Master's degree in social work. | $53,400 | 470 |
|
Occupational Therapist |
SIA | Master's degree | $81,700 | 410 |
|
Medical Equipment Repairer |
RIC |
Associate's degree and on- the-job training. |
$39,500 | 200 |
For a listing of all health care occupations that will experience growth, go to the Virtual Career Network. This site will provide educational requirements, a description of the occupation, average annual salary, and expected job growth for each occupation.
