Healthcare Industry Careers Overview

Recently, healthcare became the number one provider of jobs and one of the largest industries in the United States. While many people choose healthcare as their profession because they genuinely want to make a difference and help others, it's also important to research whether the industry will provide you with the career longevity, growth potential, salary levels, and fulfillment you seek in a career. Drexel University’s healthcare infographic reviews careers in the healthcare field, healthcare career options, types of healthcare jobs, healthcare career pathways, and ultimately the reason why pursuing a career in healthcare may be the right option for you.

Why Pursue a Career in Healthcare?

Healthcare is a great industry for those seeking fulfilling careers that can make a huge difference in the lives, wellbeing, and health of others. The good news is that the opportunities for successful healthcare career pathways are robust. Healthcare spending in the United States has continued to grow and is now a trillion-dollar industry. It represents over 17% of the gross national product (GDP). As a result, the healthcare industry is expected to grow by 15% by 2029. This represents approximately 2.4 million new jobs. With this level of expected healthcare industry growth, this means that the possibilities are endless.

Healthcare Career Pathways

There is no single healthcare career pathway. Some healthcare professions, such as nursing or physical therapy, have a corresponding degree. However, many healthcare career options do not. Education is truly the key to your personal healthcare career progession.

Healthcare Support Occupations
Healthcare support jobs is a broad category. Traditionally, they represent a great entry point into the healthcare industry. Positions such as nursing assistants, home health aides, physical therapy assistants, phlebotomists, and medical transcriptionists are some key examples of these types of healthcare careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary is $28,470.

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Healthcare pratitioner is typically the healthcare career pathway that first comes to mind. This occupational group includes nurses, physicians, pharmacists, occupational therapists, anesthesiologists, and many more. With a median salary of $68,190 (bls.gov), this category represents a significant potential for healthcare career growth. As you gain additional education and specialization, your expected salary will grow as well.

Medical and Health Services Managers
When most people think of healthcare career pathways, they tend to first think of clinical roles. However, the business side of healthcare also offers vast career opportunities. Medical and Health Services Managers, for example, have a median salary of over $100,000 and this is one of the careers in the healthcare field expected to grow substantially (+32%) in the next 10 years. (bls.gov)

Healthcare industry growth really does make your possibilities endless. Education is the key to taking your career where you want it to go. We invite you to explore Drexel’s 180+ online programs designed for your career.

---

For more information on one of our nursing, healthcare, or other 180+ online degree programs, please fill out this brief form. One of our Enrollment Counselors will contact you to answer any questions you may have.