Lesser Known Occupations in Healthcare
Healthcare offers some of the best opportunities in the economy, but includes workers in many occupations besides the familiar doctors, nurses and CNAs. Healthcare occupations require varying levels of education/training. Some workers are directly involved with patients, and others work behind the scenes. There are some workers in healthcare facilities that aren’t specifically classified as healthcare workers – e.g., Hospital Receptionist, Janitors, Food Service Managers – but employment in this industry often translates into better wages even for workers in these occupations.
The table below reflects some lesser known occupations in healthcare. For more detailed information about these occupations, and others in which you may be interested, visit UtahFutures. Completing related Health Science Career Pathways is a good way to explore these occupations or to prepare for further study in college.
|
Occupation |
Interest Code* |
U S Employment 2010 |
Growth-Numeric 2010-2020 |
Growth-Percent 2010-2020 |
Nat’l Annual Median Wage (2011) |
Education |
| Endoscopy Technician |
RIC |
202,000 | 65,800 |
Average |
$30,790 |
1-2 years college |
| Histo- technologist |
RIC |
169,000 | 52,100 |
Average |
$57,010 |
Associate |
| Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician |
RCI |
7,000 | 33,400 |
Average |
$68,030 |
Some college |
| Neuro- diagnostic Technologist |
RI |
94,000 | 40,400 |
Faster than average |
$38,080 |
Associate |
| Opthalmic Medical Technologist |
RI |
94,000 | 40,400 |
Faster than average |
$38,080 |
1-2 years college |
| Surgical Technologist |
RSC |
94,000 | 33,900 |
Average |
$40,950 |
1-2 years college |
*For descriptions of the interest codes included here – consistent with Holland Codes and Utah Career Fields – visit O*NET Online.
Sources: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (national), Utah Department of Workforce Services (state)
