CareerBuilder and MiracleWorkers.com put together a list of top jobs in health care for 2015.
In the wake of the recession, health care has led the march toward
economic recovery, and we will likely see this industry’s rapid pace of
growth continue in 2015. With the number of baby boomers in need of
medical care on the rise, the coming year looks very promising for
workers going into the health care field.
To put it in
perspective, 28 health care jobs are projected to grow by at least 3
percent in 2015 — that’s more than twice the projected growth of the
overall U.S. workforce (1.2 percent). What’s more, this growth will take
place largely among high-earning jobs. Seventeen of those 28 jobs have
median hourly earnings greater than $20 per hour.
CareerBuilder
and MiracleWorkers.com put together a list of some of the best health
care jobs for 2015. The list reflects how recent technological
advancements will create high demand for specialized jobs, and how the
needs of the aging baby boomer generation will continue to impact hiring
in jobs related to their treatment and care.
The list was
compiled based on projected percentage changes between 2014 and 2015,
number of current jobs, and median hourly earnings.
Occupational therapy assistants:
Help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily
living and working. Directly involved in providing therapy to patients.
- 2014 jobs: 31,690
- 2014-2015 % change: 5.0%
- Median hourly earnings: $26.75
Physical therapist assistants:
Work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. Help
patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement
and manage pain.
- 2014 jobs: 74,844
- 2014-2015 % change: 4.8%
- Median hourly earnings: $25.79
Diagnostic medical sonographers:
Specialize in creating images, known as sonograms or ultrasounds, of
the body’s organs and tissues. Sonograms are often the first imaging
test performed when disease is suspected. Diagnostic medical
sonographers may work closely with physicians or surgeons before, during
and after procedures.
- 2014 jobs: 60,626
- 2014-2015 % change: 4.8%
- Median hourly earnings: $32.44
Genetic counselors:
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions,
such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information and
advice to other health care providers, or to individuals and families
concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
- 2014 jobs: 2,482
- 2014-2015 % change: 4.5%
- Median hourly earnings: $29.75
Nurse practitioners:
Serve as primary and specialty care providers, providing advanced
nursing services to patients and their families. Assess patients,
determine the best method to improve or manage a patient’s health, and
discuss ways to integrate health promotion strategies into a patient’s
life. They typically care for a certain population of people (e.g.,
adult and geriatric health, pediatric health, or psychiatric and mental
health).
- 2014 jobs: 118,477
- 2014-2015 % change: 3.8%
- Median hourly earnings: $45.20
As
recent technological advancements become more widespread and allow more
and more medical facilities to offer new services and treatments to
their patients, the demand for skilled health care workers will continue
to grow. And as a larger portion of the population ages and begins to
require care, health care will continue to be at the forefront of
economic recovery.
