Healthcare is the most in-demand employment industry in the world. Even in the face of volatile job markets, global pandemics, and economic recessions, the healthcare industry keeps growing and expanding each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the medical industry is projected to add more healthcare jobs than ever before. Specifically, 124 million new positions will be available in the next decade.
In this article, we are going to take a look at the health jobs with the best employment outlook. Whether you are looking to follow an extensive educational road to become a physician, or looking for a fast-track career that will get you in the healthcare sector quickly, there are a variety of fast-growing medical careers you can pursue. Here is a list of the contents that we will explore:
- What are the healthcare jobs that expand faster?
- How can Connect Health help you?
1. What are the healthcare jobs that expand faster?
1.1 Nurse practitioner
Job outlook (2022–2032): Nurse Practitioners (NPs), also known as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), are the most demanded healthcare professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for nurse practitioners will increase an astonishing 52 percent in the next decade. In addition to being the #1, most demanded healthcare job, this career is listed as the fourth, fastest-growing job among all occupations.
NPs perform many of the same tasks as physicians and have great autonomy in their job. Nurse practitioners are trained to assess patient needs, diagnose disease, order and interpret laboratory tests, and prescribe treatment plans. NP expertise area covers basic care, disease prevention, and health promotion. It is noteworthy to mention that NP training does not provide the depth of expertise that a physician has, and that is needed to diagnose and treat complex conditions.
NPs often work as primary care providers in private medical practices. However, they can also work in a hospital alongside teams of doctors, nurses, and technicians. In the coming years, APRNs will be heavily needed to care for the growing number of elders, who are inherently more susceptible to disease and chronic conditions.
Annual salary (2022): the average annual salary for a nurse practitioner is about $108,000. The bottom 10 percent earns around $82,500, while the top 10 percent earns more than $166,000 per year. A nurse practitioner in the UAE earns on average AED 226,000 per year.
Requirements: in order to become a nurse practitioner, you must acquire a modest amount of formal education. First, you need to become a registered nurse, by obtaining either a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree or an ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) degree. Then, to become an NP, you need to pursue an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) degree.
1.2 Occupational therapist assistant
Job outlook (2022–2032): job opportunities for occupational therapist assistants will grow considerably as the worldwide population continues to age. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that employment for occupational therapist assistants will grow by 36 percent in the next decade, which is impressively 32 percent faster than the average for all occupations.
Elders are more prone to conditions like strokes and arthritis, which can compromise their ability to fulfill daily activities. The occupational therapy assistant’s job revolves around helping these patients develop, improve, and recover, as well as maintaining the abilities needed for daily living and working. Occupational therapy aides and assistants work mainly in hospitals, occupational therapists’ offices, and nursing care facilities. OTAs spend most of their working time on their feet while setting up equipment and providing therapy to patients.
Annual salary (2022): the average annual salary for this health sector job is around $61,530, which equals $29.58 per hour. The bottom 10 percent earns around $48,540, while the top 10 percent earns more than $76,200 per year. An occupational therapist assistant in the UAE earns on average AED 146,000 per year.
Requirements: in order to become an occupational therapy assistant, you need to acquire some education. As an Aspiring OTA, you must acquire an associate degree in occupational therapy assisting. You can complete this degree in as little as 16 months.
1.3 Personal care and home health aides
Job outlook (2022–2032): job opportunities for personal care and home health aides are not something to worry about. This healthcare job will grow abruptly over the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the employment of personal care and home health aides will grow by 33%, which is 29% faster than the average for all occupations.
As with the previous healthcare job noted above, the need for home health and personal care aides will grow due to the aging elderly population. Many personal care aides, as well as home health aides, work directly with older adults who need help with their daily activities. These patients may be debilitated by illness, age, cognitive impairment, disability, or a combination of factors. They often cannot take care of themselves and rely on the assistance of personal care aides to monitor their health, carry out tasks, and ensure their needs are taken care of. Personal care aides and home health aides can work in patients’ homes as well as in a long-term care facility.
Annual salary (2022): the average annual salary for home health aides is around $29,430, which is around $14.15 per hour. The bottom 10 percent earns around $24,540, while the top 10 percent earns more than $39,560 per year. Personal care aides in the UAE earn on average AED 74,150 per year.
Requirements: in order to become a home health aide, you do not need to worry a lot about education. Personal care and home health aides typically just need a high school diploma or equivalent, and even in some cases it is not a requirement. However, those that want to work in certified home health agencies, will need some formal training. But do not worry, it usually lasts 4 to 6 months.
1.4 Medical and health services manager
Job outlook (2022–2032): job opportunities for this healthcare job are expected to grow as more medical facilities are opened and healthcare technology develops each year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of medical and health services managers will grow by 32%, which is 28% faster than the average for all occupations.
As jobs in healthcare grow in demand across all the fields, managers will be indispensable to oversee and organize operations. Medical and health services managers often are responsible for managing healthcare staff, records, facilities, departments, and/or other medical information.
Annual salary (2022): the average annual salary for this medical job is around $101,340, which is around $51.15 per hour. The bottom 10 percent earns around $73,940, while the top 10 percent earns more than $129,222 per year. Medical and health services managers in the UAE earn on average AED 229,153 per year.
Requirements: the expected growth for this healthcare job means that more than 1,139,600 vacancies will be open to qualifying individuals. Qualified individuals are those who hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a medical field, though master’s degrees are required by some employers today. A master’s in Nursing (MSN), for instance, is usually needed for a nurse management position.
1.5 Respiratory therapist
Job outlook (2022–2032): for those looking for a different job in healthcare, respiratory therapy is one of the top healthcare jobs in demand today. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the employment of Respiratory Therapists will grow by 23 percent over the next decade. This means that more than 231,400 jobs will be added to this field for individuals with a formal respiratory care education under their belts.
The estimated demand for this health sector job is not surprising, as older adults often face complications with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and other restrictive illnesses affecting the lungs. The aging population, therefore, will be the biggest contributor to the increased job opportunities for this profession. Respiratory Therapists work in ambulatory care settings, as well as nursing homes, hospitals, and doctor’s offices.
Annual salary (2022): the average annual income for this healthcare job is around $61,990, which is around $36.76 per hour. The bottom 10 percent earns around $43,732, while the top 10 percent earns more than $79,300 per year. Respiratory therapists in the UAE earn on average AED 122,030 per year.
Requirements: In order to work as a respiratory therapist, you will need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. Some employers prefer to hire respiratory therapists who have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, respiratory therapists usually need to be certified by a medical entity in their country.
1.5 Medical assistants
Job outlook (2022–2032): job opportunities for medical assistants will grow more than most healthcare careers. This is due to an explosive increase in the number of healthcare facilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of medical assistants will grow by 18%, which is surprisingly 14% faster than the average for all occupations
Healthcare assistants help doctors perform administrative and clinical duties, such as assisting with patient exams, measuring vital signs, and collecting samples for lab tests. This allows doctors to see more patients and accommodate the growing need for their services. The majority of medical assistants work in primary care practices, which is a consistently growing sector of the medical field, according to the BLS.
Annual salary (2022): the average yearly income for this healthcare job is around $36,940, which is around $17.78 per hour. The bottom 10 percent earns around $26,636, while the top 10 percent earns more than $57,631 per year. A medical assistant in the UAE earns on average AED 68,479 per year.
Requirements: you can become a medical assistant in just a matter of months, through a postsecondary certificate program. You can also complete a medical assisting associate degree in as fast as 18 months.
1.6 Dental hygienist
Job outlook (2022–2032): dental hygienists make up another fast-growing healthcare career bucket; with employment expected to rise 11 over the next decade. This translates to approximately 125,600 job openings each year for dental hygienist candidates seeking opportunities.
Dental hygienists are medical professionals that prevent oral diseases and provide dental care to patients on a regular basis. The demand for dental hygienists is due to an increased focus on preventive dental services. More and more people are prioritizing their teeth cleanings, recognizing the link between oral care and overall health.
Annual salary (2022): the average annual salary for a dental hygienist is around $77,110, which is around $39.78 per hour. The bottom 10 percent earns around $63,660, while the top 10 percent earns more than $85,517 per year. A dental hygienist in the UAE earns on average AED 175,585 per year.
Requirements: to become a dental hygienist, the pathway is very clear: all you need to do is complete an associate degree in Dental Hygiene to qualify for licensure. You can complete this degree in as few as 2 years. Beyond formal education, to work as a dental hygienist you need to be certified. The certification process usually changes from country to country; but normally you will need to pass an exam to get certified.
2. How can Connect Health help you?
Here at Connect Health, our main goal is to connect medical employers with healthcare professionals. If you are looking to find a healthcare employee for your business, feel free to post a job vacancy on our webpage. You can also find the ideal candidate for your healthcare jobs in our large database of medical professionals.
On the other side, if you are looking for healthcare jobs, you can apply for any position on our webpage. Make sure to take a look at the job description and requirements before applying for a position.
If you want to get in contact with one of our representatives, you can call us at +971 43 316 688. As another option, you can contact us at info@connecthealth.ae.
Do you want to apply to more jobs in healthcare? You can visit thetalentpoint.com to find multiple job openings in your field. Alternatively, you can send your CV to contact@thetalentpoint.com.
