The healthcare industry is rapidly expanding. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare industry growth won’t slow down anytime soon. Fifty percent of the top fastest growing occupations are related to healthcare.
Moreover, as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, job seekers will continue to see opportunities open up over the next decade. But how do you know which professions will be successful?
Whether you’re considering a first career in healthcare or looking to pivot within the industry, here are some of the top roles we’ve identified as necessary to healthcare industry growth trends.
In-Demand Healthcare Industry Roles
It’s important to keep in mind that healthcare occupations do not grow at the same rate. However, the BLS projects that most of the following occupations are on track to grow much faster than average from 2023 to 2033.
1. Nurse Practitioners
Much like traditional doctors, nurse practitioners are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses, overseeing patient care, and prescribing medications. They often serve as primary care providers in settings such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
According to healthcare industry growth projections, this role is expected to be the fastest-growing occupation in the field in 2025. U..S News also identifies it as the top job in healthcare this year.
Median Annual Salary: $132,050
Job Growth: 46% from 2023 to 2033 (Much faster than average)
2. Registered Nurses
Registered Nurses (RNs) can work anywhere from private practices to homes to hospitals. While some specialize in a specific field—like neonatal, critical care, public health, or cardiovascular—RNs typically all share the same responsibilities. They oversee patient care, collaborate with doctors to treat patients and manage illness and injury, and record observations and diagnostics.
Although the growth rate is listed at 6%, almost 200,000 roles for RNs open each year. The need for nurses is a consistent gap in the healthcare industry, especially internationally.
Median Annual Salary: $93,600
Job Growth: 6% from 2023 to 2033 (Faster than average)
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3. Dental Hygienists
Dental hygienists collaborate with dentists to deliver oral hygiene care and assess patients for potential signs of oral health issues. Since many hygienists work part-time, it’s an excellent profession to maintain over the long term.
Median Annual Salary: $94,260
Job Growth: 9% from 2023 to 2033 (Much faster than average)
4. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) deliver essential, basic medical care across environments like hospitals, long-term care facilities, and private residences. The only distinction between these roles is their title, which varies depending on the state. Typically, LPNs and LVNs work under the supervision of RNs and physicians.
Median Annual Salary: $62,340
Job Growth: 3% from 2023 to 2033 (As fast as average)
5. Physician Assistants
Physician assistants serve just below doctors in the medical hierarchy, conducting patient exams, diagnosing conditions, and assisting with treatment under a physician’s supervision. They commonly work in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Current trends indicate that this role is on track to become one of the fastest-growing jobs in the industry.
Median Annual Salary: $133,260
Job Growth: 28% from 2023 to 2033 (Much faster than average)
6. Physical Therapist Assistants
Supervised by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants work to help their patients rehabilitate and regain movement following surgery and injury. As the title implies, this is a very physical role as it involves assisting patients in their movements.
Median Annual Salary: $60,050
Job Growth: 19% from 2023 to 2033 (Much faster than average)
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7. Medical and Health Services Managers
Not every healthcare professional provides direct care to patients. Medical and health services managers act as the administrative backbone for a variety of doctors and facilities. Whether they manage an entire department or a specific area, these managers ensure compliance, monitor finances, create and oversee work schedules, and organize patient records.
Median Annual Salary: $117,960
Job Growth: 29% from 2023 to 2033 (Much faster than average)
8. Personal care Aides
A personal care aide is one of the few direct care roles that does not need a medical degree and instead relies on on-the-job training. Aides typically assist older people or people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, whether in a residential facility or in a client’s home.
Like RNs, this role is growing at a rapid rate and has hundreds of thousands of positions open each year.
Median Annual Salary: $34,900
Job Growth: 21% from 2023 to 2033 (Much faster than average)
Explore Healthcare Opportunities
As with any job, it’s important to keep healthcare industry growth top of mind when considering your opportunities in healthcare fields. By understanding the current demands of the industry, you can make better and more informed decisions for your future.
Whether you’re making a complete career pivot or looking for new ways to utilize your current skill set, there are plenty of roles where you can find success.
Not sure where to start looking? Check out our job board to start your healthcare search today.
by Alexandra Woodford 
by Anna Morelock