Healthcare is filled with fantastic career opportunities, many of which aren’t often discussed. Sometimes, these “hidden” careers can turn out to be the best ones. The more popular career paths often become saturated, leaving these lesser-known roles with great demand and high salaries. Here are 7 healthcare jobs that can earn you six figures—and you may have never heard of them!
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1. Medical Dosimetrist
A medical dosimetrist is a key member of the radiation oncology team. They plan treatments that deliver the most effective doses of radiation to cancer cells while minimizing the impact on healthy tissue. Their job is to balance cancer treatment and side effects, working closely with a radiation oncologist.
Education: About 5-6 years
Salary: Approximately $147,000/year
Job Outlook: Strong
This role involves using advanced 3D imaging software to tailor treatments for each patient, making it both a rewarding and tech-heavy job.
2. Clinical Informaticist
If you’re in the healthcare field and enjoy technology, becoming a clinical informaticist might be a great fit. Typically, you start as a healthcare professional (like a nurse), then gain additional skills in IT infrastructure and data analytics. Clinical informaticists help design electronic health record (EHR) systems, ensuring they are user-friendly for healthcare workers like nurses and doctors.
Salary: Around $119,000/year
Why It’s Important: These systems must be both easily accessible and highly secure to protect sensitive patient information.
Clinical informaticists bridge the gap between technology and patient care, a crucial role that is in high demand.
3. Cloud Computing Specialist in Healthcare
Cloud computing is booming across industries, including healthcare. In fact, the Washington Post recently reported that 1.7 million cloud-related jobs are vacant worldwide! Cloud specialists in healthcare are responsible for securely storing and managing sensitive patient data on the cloud.
Salary: Around $102,000/year
Job Demand: Extremely high, with wages likely to increase.
Given the need to safeguard patient information, healthcare-specific cloud computing experts are essential.
4. Built Environment Specialist
Ever walk into a building and feel completely safe? Thank a built environment specialist! These professionals ensure that hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities are safe for people to be in. They inspect everything from air quality to structural integrity and create emergency protocols for disasters like fires.
Education: 4-6 years
Salary: Around $113,000/year
Healthcare facilities rely on these specialists to ensure that environments are hazard-free, from physical threats to issues like mold or poor ventilation.
5. Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
This role is for the healthcare expert who loves sharing knowledge. A medical science liaison (MSL) specializes in a specific healthcare field, like biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, and keeps physicians up to date on the latest developments.
Salary: Around $149,000/year
Why It’s Unique: MSLs must be subject matter experts. Doctors rely on them for accurate, detailed information, especially in specialized fields like oncology.
6. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who provides anesthesia to patients. It’s a high-responsibility job with a high salary, almost on par with doctors.
Education: 7+ years (Master’s or Doctorate-level)
Salary: Around $202,000/year
If you’re willing to invest the time in education, this career can be incredibly rewarding both personally and financially.
7. Pharmaceutical Scientist
Pharmaceutical scientists discover, develop, and test new medications. Many of the world’s life-saving drugs come from nature, such as rainforests or ocean creatures, and we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s out there.
Salary: Between $104,000 – $210,000/year (depending on experience)
Education: 4-6 years, with advanced degrees required for some positions.
This job is ideal for those interested in science, chemistry, and medicine. Pharmaceutical scientists play a critical role in finding new treatments that could save millions of lives.
Why Consider These Careers?
Healthcare offers a variety of career paths, from two-year degrees to those requiring up to eight years of education. What’s consistent across these paths is the demand for skilled professionals and the potential for high-paying roles. Each job mentioned here offers a great work-life balance, rewarding responsibilities, and a six-figure salary.
For a deeper dive into these and other healthcare careers, check out Explore Health Careers, a fantastic resource to explore lesser-known healthcare roles.
What’s Next?
Thinking of switching careers or exploring new opportunities? Consider these hidden healthcare jobs—each offers an exciting, well-paying career that flies under the radar.