The worst thing about having a career in the medical field is not being able to make ends meet. You might think that all the rich people around you means you too will be rich, but it’s not so. It’s a shame really, since your performance as a medical professional determines whether people live or die, and knowing some technology can be life-saving too. That is why you deserve to be paid more; I won’t wear a white suit and scream this as I run through the hospital though. If you want to know what people are actually making in the medical industry, keep reading.
Introduction
It’s important to remember the salary of a physician is determined by a number of factors. In the end, all the work studying, and sacrifice pays off, but this doesn’t mean it always makes sense to pursue that high paying specialty career right out of medical school.
Interested in a career in medicine or health? Here’s our list of the highest-paying jobs in the healthcare industry.
1. Physician and Surgeon
The median pay for physicians and surgeons is $208,000 per year. This averages out to $100 per hour.
The physician engages in the diagnosis of medical illnesses or injuries. The first thing that a physician must do is take the patient’s medical history. This information will be placed in the patient’s chart and will be updated every time the patient visits the doctor. In order to diagnose the patient’s illness, the physician may need to order tests. This will be done by other staff members.
When the test results come in, the physician reviews the tests and looks for anything that may be abnormal. If any abnormalities are found, the physician will develop a treatment plan for the patient. During the appointment, the patient will be able to ask any questions that he or she has about the findings. The physician will also advise the patient on how he or she can become or remain healthy by discussing proper nutrition and other matters.
Surgeons are physicians, and they care for their patients by performing surgeries. They treat diseases, injuries and deformities in this manner. The surgeon is specifically trained to use instruments that were created for the purpose of repairing damaged bone tissue and physical deformities. Surgeons can also use their skills to perform cosmetic surgery.
Physicians may choose to work in one of several specialties, and these include radiology, opthalmology, gastroenterology, dermatology, cardiology and allergy. They may also become anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, internists and family physicians. Surgeons may choose to become general surgeons, but they can also work within a specialty. Specialties that surgeons may choose include reconstructive surgery, cardiovascular surgery, neurological surgery and orthopedic surgery.
A physician will have one of two types of degrees. One is the Medical Doctor or “M.D.” degree, and the other is the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or “D.O.”
2. Dentist
The median pay for dentists is $156,240 per year. This averages out to $75.12 per hour.
A dentist is the one to diagnose and treat the problems that you are having with your gums, teeth or other areas of your mouth. They are instrumental in teaching their patients how to care for their teeth and gums. During the dental examination, dentists remove decay from decaying teeth. They also fill cavities. If any teeth are damaged, the dentist will be the one to repair them or extract them. Dentists also protect teeth by applying sealants or whitening agents.
Dentists must also learn how to administer anesthesia before they begin to treat their patients’ teeth. They may also prescribe antibiotics and other medications when necessary. During the examination, they examine the X-rays that the technicians take of their patients’ teeth and perform a full examination of the teeth, gums, tongue and jaws to find out if there are any problems.
Dentists also make impressions of their patients’ teeth. These impressions allow them to make dentures and other dental appliances. They also teach their patients how to use dental floss and how to brush their teeth properly. Patients also learn about the best foods to eat and the worst foods to eat from their dentists.
Dentists must learn how to properly use the instruments of dental care, including scalpels, brushes, forceps, probes, mouth mirrors, drills and X-ray machines.
Dentists can also choose to practice in a specialty area. They can become periodontists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral pathologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, endodontists, dental public health specialists and dental anesthesiologists.
There is also a place for dentists in the academic sphere. These dentists perform research or teach on a part-time basis. They may also offer their services at dental clinics where they can supervise the dental students.
3. Podiatrist
The median pay for podiatrists is $129,550 per year. That averages out to $62.28 per hour.
Podiatrists provide medical care for the feet, ankles and lower legs of their patients. They also perform surgery on these areas. They diagnose diseases of these areas of the body and treat them.
Podiatrists examine the feet, ankles and lower legs by first taking the patient’s history. Then, the podiatrist performs an examination. During the examination, the podiatrist may take X-rays, laboratory tests and examine the problem areas. The treatments podiatrists prescribe may by orthotics that help the patient move his or her feet better.
Podiatrists also perform surgery on the feet. They may need to remove bone spurs or repair fractures. They may also operate on the feet and ankles for the purpose of correcting any deformities.
Podiatrists teach their patients how to care for their feet and give them general wellness techniques. When it is necessary, they prescribe medications for their patients.
Podiatrists may be the first to learn that a patient is at risk for diabetes or vascular disease. In this case, the podiatrist will refer the patient to a physician for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. They must spend a lot of time treating patients diagnosed with diabetes.
Podiatrists treat several other foot ailments, including ingrown toenails, heel spurs, calluses, arthritis and congenital deformities. A podiatrist can go into a specialty that requires that he or she reconstruct the feet and the ankles. There are also specialties in podiatry that include sports medicine and pediatrics.
You will find podiatrists working in outpatient care centers, hospitals or government centers.
The job prospects for podiatrists are set to grow as much as is expected for all occupations. From 2018 to 2028, the employment rate for podiatrists will grow at a 6 percent rate. The population is continuing to increase, so the expectation is that podiatrists are going to be needed in the years to come.
4. Pharmacist
The median pay for pharmacists is $126,120 per year. This averages out to $60.64 an hour.
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients. They have extensive knowledge on the safe and effective use of these medications. Pharmacists may also perform several other duties in the healthcare arena, including giving immunizations, conducting health and wellness screenings, and giving patients advice on how to live healthier lives.
The pharmacist will be the one to verify that the physician’s instructions are correct and that the patient’s medicine bottle contains the right amount of medicine. The pharmacist will also ensure that the medication that is being prescribed is not going to interfere with other medications that the patient is taking. The pharmacist must also ensure that new medications will not adversely affect that patient’s medical conditions.
The pharmacist ensures that the patient knows how to properly take his or her medication. He or she will also discuss the side effects that the medication may cause.
A pharmacist is also charged with administering flu shots and other immunizations to patients. They are also the ones to consult when a particular supply or piece of equipment is needed to treat a health condition.
Pharmacists also need to work closely with the patients’ insurance companies to ensure that these patients receive the medications that they need.
Pharmacists can work in many different environments. Some of these are general merchandise stores, grocery stores and hospitals, but most pharmacists work in pharmacies and drug stores. This is a job in which pharmacists spend the majority of the day on their feet. They may also work odd hours. Several pharmacists work nights and on the weekends.
The demand for pharmacists is projected to grow in hospitals and clinics. As the baby boom generation continues to age, it is going to be the reason that pharmacists are going to be needed in the next several years.
5. Nurse Practitioner
The median salary for a nurse practitioner is $113,930 per year. That averages out to $54.78 per hour.
Nurse practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses or APRNs, and they provide specialized care for their patients that includes primary and specialty healthcare. This job can be different as you travel from state to state.
A nurse practitioner has the duty of taking the patient’s medical history and the symptoms that he or she is currently experiencing. They may also perform medical examinations when a doctor is not available. They are also engaged in creating treatment plans for patients, and they order diagnostic tests when necessary. They may also perform these diagnostic tests when needed.
Nurse practitioners have been trained on several pieces of medical equipment, and they are capable of operating and monitoring that equipment. They can also diagnose many medical conditions.
Nurse practitioners can recognize when there is a change in a patient’s condition, and they can analyze test results. When a treatment plan needs to be altered in any way, a nurse practitioner is capable of doing it.
Nurse practitioners have the duty of administering medications to their patients, and they analyze patients’ responses to those medications. When it is necessary, they consult with physicians and other medical personnel. When someone is needed to teach patients what they need to do to manage their illnesses, a nurse practitioner can perform the duty.
Nurse practitioners can perform many of the duties that physicians perform, including prescribing medication, ordering medical tests and diagnosing the patients’ medical conditions. They can also choose specialties, so some people opt to serve children, pregnant women or patients with mental health disorders. Nurse practitioners may also perform the duties of registered nurses.
6. Optometrist
The median pay for an optometrist is $111,790 per year. This averages out to $53.75 per hour.
Optometrists examine the eyes and other related parts. They diagnose the problems that their patients are having with their eyes, and they treat these problems as well. Optometrists follow up with their patients’ eye diseases and other disorders. They also follow up with patients with injuries to the eyes. When patients need corrective lenses, optometrists prescribe glasses and contact lenses.
The optometrist is an eye doctor, and he or she gives the patient vision tests. The optometrist also analyzes the results of these tests. The optometrist will also be the professional to diagnose diseases and conditions of the eye. Some of these are glaucoma, nearsightedness and farsightedness. The optometrist may be able to prescribe medication.
An optometrist is also trained to perform surgery that corrects problems with the eyes. The optometrist will also examine the patient’s eyes before and after the surgery. The optometrist may detect the presence of other medical conditions, and some of these include diabetes and high blood pressure. When these ailments are detected, the optometrist will refer the patient to the appropriate physician.
Some optometrists may specialize in treating a condition known as “low vision.” These patients do not have 100 percent of their sight. Other optometrists opt to only treat babies and older children.
In some cases, patients need optometrists to inform them on how smoking affects their eyesight. If the patient is overweight, this is also a reason that the patient’s eyesight can suffer, and the optometrist will be the one to explain this to the patient.
The baby boom generation will be responsible for the growth of this profession. In the later years, people need corrective lenses more often, and this will cause the employment of optometrists to grow by 10 percent from 2018 to 2028.
7. Physician Assistant
The median pay for a physician assistant is $108,610. That averages out to $52.22 an hour.
Physician assistants work closely with surgeons, doctors and other healthcare workers. They are charged with taking the patients’ medical histories, or they may just review them. They have the capability of ordering diagnostic tests, and they can also interpret those tests.
When patients come in to see a physician assistant with an injury or an illness, the physician assistant will be able to diagnose the condition and offer the patient treatment. Some of these treatments include setting broken bones and giving patients the immunizations that they need.
Physician assistants may also have the duty of teaching their patients about how to manage their conditions. For example, they can explain what parents need to know about caring for a child with a particular illness or injury.
Physician assistants also have the ability to prescribe medications and ensure that the patient is receiving the best care possible. Physician assistants are also the ones to participate in outreach programs. They form a part of several areas of medical care, such as the emergency room, the operating room, doctors’ offices and psychiatric care. A physician assistant may even be given the duty of closing a patient’s incisions after surgery. They can also examine children and give them their vaccinations.
The physician assistant may have the opportunity to be the primary provider in areas where the community is being underserved. This is common in clinics in rural areas, but the physician assistant will work closely with the physician when it is necessary to do so.
Because physician assistants can perform many of the duties of the physician, their services are going to be needed in the years to come as the population ages. Employment of physician assistants is expected to grow at a 31 percent rate until 2028.
8. Veterinarian
The median pay for a veterinarian is $93,830 every year. This averages out to $45.11 an hour.
Veterinarians take care of animals, but they also work to ensure that the public’s health is not in danger.
Animals are a veterinarian’s patients, and they perform the same services that physicians perform for their human patients. These include examinations with the purpose of diagnosing illnesses and determining whether or not the animal is healthy. If the patient is injured, the veterinarian will be the one to treat and dress the wound. Sometimes, animals need surgery, so veterinarians will perform surgical procedures. Veterinarians test their patients for the diseases common to them. They also give them vaccinations.
Veterinary offices and clinics also contain several pieces of equipment, and the veterinarian has been trained on the use of this machinery. For example, veterinarians also use X-ray machines.
A veterinarian is also a teacher, and he or she advises human parents on how to care for the furry members of their families. When an animal needs medication, the veterinarian can prescribe it.
When the time comes, the veterinarian is the person to euthanize animals.
There are also what are known as “food animal veterinarians.” Their patients are pigs, cows, sheep and cattle that are being raised to be a part of the human food supply. These veterinarians travel to where their patients are, and this includes farms and ranches. They teach the managers about how to adequately house and feed the animals.
A specialty for veterinarians is the “food safety and inspection veterinarian.” These veterinarians inspect animals for diseases. They also administer vaccines and conduct research that will improve the health of animals. They also ensure that all government food safety regulations are being met.
9. Physical Therapist
The median pay for a physical therapist is $87,930 a year. This averages out to $42.27 an hour.
A physical therapist works to improve a patient’s ability to move. If there are issues with pain, the physical therapist will help the patient manage it. Physical therapists generally work with patients in rehabilitation facilities. They also help people diagnosed with chronic illnesses or injuries.
The physical therapist’s patients are people of all ages. They may have functional issues related to injuries to their backs or necks. Many other people require the services of a physical therapist, and they include people suffering from arthritis, strains, sprains or amputations. They may also treat those with fractures, neurological disorders, and sports or work injuries. Patients with cerebral palsy or stroke may also need to see a physical therapist.
A physical therapist is trained in reading notes from surgeons, doctors and other healthcare workers. They review their patients’ medical histories and diagnose their patients’ abilities to move by observation, but they may also use other methods.
After they have assessed their patients’ conditions, they can formulate a treatment plan that lists the goals and the outcomes that physical therapists hope to accomplish.
Physical therapists give their patients exercises and equipment that is meant to ease their pain. They also use hands-on therapy that increases the patient’s ability to move and prevents the possibility of additional injury or pain.
As time goes by, the physical therapist monitors the patient’s progress so that adjustments can be made to ensure that the patient continues to improve.
A physical therapist can specialize in one particular area of care. For example, some people choose to go into geriatric or orthopedic care. They may also specialize in physical therapy for victims of stroke, or they may wish to concentrate on sports injuries.
10. Occupational Therapist
The median pay for an occupational therapist is $84,270 per year. This averages out to $40.51 an hour.
Occupational therapists treat their patients in normal settings. These patients are disabled, injured or ill, and they need help developing, recovering and improving so that they can continue to live their lives.
One group of people that occupational therapists help are those diagnosed with cerebral palsy. These people need help performing daily tasks. Occupational therapists help their patients use leg braces and wheelchairs. They also help them learn how to feed themselves.
Occupational therapists are instrumental in helping schools accommodate students with disabilities. For example, they modify classrooms so that students can function adequately.
Occupational therapists work with the very young to the elderly population. They may engage with infants for the purpose of offering early intervention therapy so that they are not developmentally delayed. They also observe their elderly patients and make suggestions for how they can improve their environments.
Occupational therapists are also employed in mental health settings. These patients may have been diagnosed with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities. In this setting, an occupational therapist will teach patients several things, including how to ride a bus, how to balance a budget, how to manage their time and how to do household chores. The occupational therapist is also the person to help those addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Occupational therapists have also been charged with helping patients diagnosed with eating disorders or those suffering from depression. If the patient experienced a particularly traumatic event, he or she can receive help from an occupational therapist.
The job prospects for occupational therapists are expected to grow by 18 percent between 2018 and 2028. This is a lot faster than the average for all of the other professions. Occupational therapy will be important for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, autism and cerebral palsy.
Conclusion
Hopefully that breakdown has helped give a clear picture of compensation for medical careers. As with any career, salaries vary based on a number of factors, but in general salaries are expected to be higher as a doctor’s experience and clinical accomplishments increase. The AAMC also offers an extremely valuable tool to help calculate the costs of practicing medicine, so be sure to check it out if you’re thinking about becoming a hospitalist.
