The healthcare industry continues to be the fastest growing industry in this country. The market demand for good healthcare services is on the rise, which means there are now more healthcare-related jobs for those who want to work in this field.

There are some very interesting jobs across the industry too. In this article, however, we are going to focus more on the highest paying medical careers to consider. Let’s get started, shall we?

Physicians and Surgeons

The highest paying jobs have not changed for several years now. Working as a physician or a surgeon allows you to earn a median salary of more than $200,000 per year. That said, these are also among the most demanding jobs in the field.

As a physician, you are responsible for treating patients and prescribing medications. Surgeons, on the other hand, are responsible for operating on the patients in various situations. To qualify for both jobs, you need a doctoral or a professional degree in the right field.

Dentists

Dentists are second on the list with an annual salary of $150,000 or more. Similar to doctors, dentists are responsible for treating patients’ teeth and gums. While most dentists have their own medical practices, hospitals and medical institutions are also recruiting experienced dentists to complete their lineups.

A doctoral or professional degree is also needed to pursue a career as a dentist. Programs in this field are substantially shorter than those for physicians and surgeons, but expect to spend at least five years to earn the required degree and become a dentist.

Anesthetists

Anesthetists are the next on our list. As the name suggests, anesthetists are responsible for delivering anesthesia, particularly before surgeries or other medical procedures. Anesthesia is also used in dental procedures as well as other healthcare services.

Many prominent anesthetists such as Dr. Rishin Patel work independently for several medical institutions. They are called upon when patients require treatment. This is due to the fact that there aren’t enough anesthetists right now and demand is incredibly high. With an average salary of more than $120,000 per year, this is a lucrative career to get into indeed.

Optometrists

It is easy to guess from the name of this profession that the field is about treating patients’ eyes. Optometrists deal with visual problems and treat eye-related medical conditions. They work with surgeons – or qualify as surgeons themselves – to handle more severe eye issues too.

Optometrists earn more than $100,000 per year in salary, but that may not be the most appealing thing about a career in this field. The field itself is advancing at a rapid pace, with new discoveries made frequently, and it is one of the most exciting fields in healthcare today.

Nurse Practitioners

We can’t talk about healthcare careers without talking about nurses. Working as a registered nurse or a nurse administrator is very rewarding, but taking the next step and becoming a nurse practitioner is what you want to do right now.

Nurse practitioners are the primary care providers in many hospitals. They are as capable as physicians and are capable of delivering treatments in most situations. Expect to earn more than $100,000 with a career as a nurse practitioner.

There are many different routes into the medical field and the above are just some of the careers you can pursue.