Top 10 Highest Paying Healthcare Jobs

Med School Insiders
21 May 202212:21
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video transcript discusses the highest-paying healthcare careers, emphasizing that while money shouldn't be the primary motivation, it's an important factor. It highlights jobs like physical therapists, radiation therapists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, optometrists, pharmacists, podiatrists, dentists, nurse anesthetists, and doctors, detailing their roles, average salaries, work hours, and educational pathways. The video aims to inform viewers about the financial aspects of various healthcare professions, encouraging them to consider both the time investment and potential earnings in their career choices.

Takeaways
  • đź’° The top 10 healthcare jobs by hourly pay are ranked, with doctors earning the most on average.
  • 🏥 Physical therapists, ranked 10th, make an average of $44 per hour and help patients with mobility and pain management.
  • 🔬 Radiation therapists, at number 9, work with oncologists and earn an average of $45 per hour.
  • đź©ş Nurse practitioners average $54 per hour and can practice independently in some states.
  • đź©ş Physician assistants earn $55 per hour and assist doctors in various medical specialties.
  • đź‘“ Optometrists, with an average hourly wage of $57, provide primary vision care and are not medical doctors.
  • đź’Š Pharmacists have an average hourly wage of $62 and specialize in medication safety and effectiveness.
  • đź‘Ł Podiatrists focus on foot, ankle, and lower leg issues, earning an average of $64 per hour.
  • 🦷 Dentists, ranked 3rd, have an average salary of $164,000 per year with potential for higher earnings in private practice.
  • đź’‰ Nurse anesthetists earn an average of $88 per hour and may work independently in certain states.
  • 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Doctors, particularly specialists, have the highest hourly rates, with the average primary care physician earning $91 per hour and specialists earning $127 per hour.
Q & A
  • What is the average hourly pay for a physical therapist?

    -The average hourly pay for a physical therapist is $44.

  • What education is required to become a physical therapist in the United States?

    -To become a physical therapist in the United States, one must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program and pass a state licensure exam.

  • What is the role of a radiation therapist in healthcare?

    -Radiation therapists work alongside radiation oncologists to treat cancer, administer radiation treatments, explain treatment plans to patients, perform x-rays, and ensure the safety and proper functioning of machinery.

  • What is the average annual salary for a nurse practitioner?

    -Nurse practitioners earn on average $112,000 per year.

  • How can a registered nurse become a nurse practitioner?

    -A registered nurse can become a nurse practitioner by completing either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and passing a national board certification.

  • What is the average hourly wage for a physician assistant?

    -Physician assistants earn an average hourly wage of $55.

  • What are the educational requirements to become an optometrist?

    -To become an optometrist, one must first earn a bachelor’s degree, complete prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and physics, take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), and gain shadowing experience with an optometrist.

  • What is the average hourly rate for a pharmacist?

    -The average pharmacist earns an hourly wage of $62.

  • How long does it typically take to complete podiatry school?

    -Podiatry school is typically four years long.

  • What is the average hourly wage for a dentist?

    -Dentists have an average hourly wage of $79.

  • What are the two primary degrees awarded after completing dental school?

    -After completing dental school, graduates are awarded either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM).

  • What is the highest hourly rate among healthcare jobs?

    -The highest hourly rate among healthcare jobs is for doctors, with the average primary care physician earning $91 per hour and specialists earning $127 per hour.

Outlines
00:00
🏥 Exploring High-Paying Healthcare Careers

This paragraph delves into the various career options within the healthcare sector, emphasizing the importance of both monetary compensation and time investment when making career choices. It introduces the top 10 healthcare jobs with the highest hourly pay, starting with physical therapists who earn an average of $44 per hour and requiring a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The paragraph also covers radiation therapists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, optometrists, and pharmacists, detailing their roles, average salaries, work hours, and educational requirements. Each profession is described with its unique responsibilities and the path to certification or licensure.

05:03
đź’Š Higher Earning Potential in Healthcare

This section continues the discussion on high-paying healthcare careers, focusing on the latter half of the list which includes pharmacists, podiatrists, dentists, nurse anesthetists, and physicians. Each profession is highlighted for their average annual salaries, weekly work hours, and the educational path required to enter the field. The paragraph emphasizes the rigorous training and certification processes, such as the PharmD for pharmacists and the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine for podiatrists. It also touches on the competitive nature of becoming a healthcare professional, particularly a physician, and mentions the resources available for those aspiring to enter these fields.

10:06
🥼 The Physician: Top Earner in Healthcare

The final paragraph of the script focuses on the physician as the healthcare professional with the highest hourly rate. It contrasts the average salaries of primary care physicians and specialists, highlighting the variability in compensation. The paragraph acknowledges the significant time and effort required to become a doctor, including undergraduate studies, medical school, residency, and potentially fellowships. It concludes by offering a resource for premed students, the Med School Insiders Premed Roadmap to Medical School Acceptance course, which aims to guide aspiring physicians through the challenging journey of medical education and career development.

Mindmap
Keywords
đź’ˇHealthcare
Healthcare refers to the organized provision of medical services to individuals or communities through various health professionals and paramedical staff. In the video, it is the overarching field within which the discussed careers operate, and it is highlighted by the diversity of roles and responsibilities that exist within it.
đź’ˇSalary
Salary refers to the compensation paid to an employee for their work, typically on a monthly or annual basis. In the context of the video, it is a significant factor when considering a career in healthcare, with the video listing jobs based on their hourly pay rates.
đź’ˇPhysical Therapist
A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who assesses and improves mobility, function, and quality of life through examination, diagnosis, prognosis, and physical intervention. In the video, physical therapists are ranked 10th in terms of highest hourly pay in healthcare jobs.
đź’ˇRadiation Therapist
A radiation therapist is a healthcare professional who administers radiation treatments to cancer patients under the direction of radiation oncologists. They operate the treatment machinery and ensure the safety and accuracy of the treatment. In the video, radiation therapists are listed as having an average annual salary of $94,000.
đź’ˇNurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed additional training to diagnose, treat, and manage diseases. They can work independently in some states or under a physician's supervision in others. The video highlights that nurse practitioners earn an average of $112,000 per year.
đź’ˇPhysician Assistant
A physician assistant is a healthcare professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. They assist with patient diagnosis, treatment, and management across various specialties. In the video, it is noted that physician assistants earn an average of $115,000 per year.
đź’ˇOptometrist
An optometrist is a primary healthcare professional who specializes in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of visual system disorders, including prescribing corrective lenses for vision problems. They are distinct from ophthalmologists, who are medical doctors. In the video, optometrists are reported to earn an average annual salary of $118,000.
đź’ˇPharmacist
A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the safe and effective use of medications. They dispense prescription drugs, counsel patients on their proper use, and provide advice on side effects and interactions. In the video, pharmacists are noted to have an average annual salary of $129,000.
đź’ˇPodiatrist
A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower leg. This includes issues such as foot pain, injuries, and deformities. In the video, podiatrists are listed as earning an average annual salary of $134,000.
đź’ˇDentist
A dentist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of conditions, diseases, and disorders of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. Dentists play a crucial role in promoting overall health through oral care. In the video, dentists are reported to have an average salary of $164,000 per year.
đź’ˇNurse Anesthetist
A nurse anesthetist, also known as a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), is a specialized nurse who has completed additional training in administering anesthesia. They work alongside anesthesiologists and may independently administer anesthesia in some states. In the video, nurse anesthetists earn an average of $184,000 per year.
đź’ˇDoctor
A doctor, referred to in the video as an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), is a healthcare professional who has completed medical school and residency training. Doctors lead the healthcare team, diagnose and treat patients, and may specialize in various fields of medicine. The video indicates that doctors have the highest hourly rate among healthcare jobs, with primary care physicians earning an average of $242,000 per year.
Highlights

Physical therapists are the 10th highest paid healthcare job with an average annual salary of $91,000.

Radiation therapists, who work with radiation oncologists to treat cancer, earn an average of $94,000 per year.

Nurse practitioners have an average annual salary of $112,000, translating to an average hourly rate of $54.

Physician assistants earn an average of $115,000 per year, with an hourly wage of $55.

Optometrists, who provide primary vision care, earn $118,000 per year on average, with an hourly rate of $57.

Pharmacists have an average annual salary of $129,000, with an hourly wage of $62.

Podiatrists, experts in foot, ankle, and lower leg issues, earn an average of $134,000 per year.

Dentists, with an average salary of $164,000 per year, have an average hourly wage of $79.

Nurse anesthetists earn an average of $184,000 per year, translating to $88 per hour.

Doctors, particularly specialists, can earn over $200 per hour, with an average annual salary of $344,000.

Becoming a physical therapist requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and passing a state licensure exam.

Radiation therapists need certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and pass a state licensing exam.

Nurse practitioners must complete either a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice and pass a national board certification.

Physician assistants must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete prerequisite coursework, and gain healthcare experience.

Optometrists need a Doctor of Optometry degree, pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry test, and obtain state licensure.

Pharmacists typically need a PharmD degree, pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test, and complete pharmacy school.

Podiatrists require a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree, pass the MCAT, and complete a 3-year residency.

Dentists must complete four years of college, take the Dental Admissions Test, and graduate from dental school with either a DDS or DDM.

Doctors in the United States must complete a 4-year medical school, residency, and potentially a fellowship for sub-specialization.

Transcripts
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