If you dream of helping people, a medical career can be a rewarding choice. But which career path is best for you? Your decision may depend on how much time you’re willing to spend in school, how much you can afford to pay for your education, and your salary goals.
Whether you’re thinking of pursuing medical school or a nursing degree, here’s what you need to know about the top medical careers.
Top 5 Medical Careers
Based on data from the major professional associations and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the top medical careers based on their education requirements, salary, and projected outlook:
| Physician | Physician Assistant | Nurse Practitioner | Registered Nurse | Pharmacist | |
| Median Salary | $239,200 | $133,260 | $132,050 | $93,600 | $137,480 |
| Job Outlook 2024 to 2034 | 3% | 20% | 35% | 5% | 5% |
| Education Requirement | Doctoral degree | Master’s degree | Master’s degree | Bachelor’s degree | Doctoral degree |
| Total Time in School | 11 to 15 years, depending on specialty | 6 to 7 years | 6 to 7 years | 4 years | 8 years |
| Average Cost of Attendance | $286,454 (Public) $390,848 (Private) | $56,719 (Public) $91,639 (Private) | $25,460 (Public) $33,620 (Private) | $22,390 (Public) $52,850 (Private) | $146,164 (Public) $216,188 (Private) |
Below, we break down what each of these career paths involve:
1. Physician (MD/DO)
- Education Required: Doctoral degree
- Median Salary: $239,200
- Cost of Degree: $286,454 to $390,848
- Total Time in School: 11 to 15 years, depending on specialization
A physician conducts physical exams, interprets lab work results, diagnoses problems,and prescribes medications. They handle everything from annual wellness exams to more specialized primary care consultations, and they’re usually the first resource patients contact when they have medical concerns.
Physicians have the highest median salary of the five leading medical careers, but this career path also requires significantly more education. After earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll have to complete four years of medical school. Then, you have to complete a medical residency, which can take three to seven years.
2. Physician Assistant (PA)
- Education Required: Master’s degree
- Median Salary: $133,260
- Cost of Degree: $56,719 to $91,639
- Total Time in School: 6 to 7 years
Becoming a PA may be a faster path toward a healthcare career than becoming a physician. PAs are hands-on healthcare professionals who work under a supervising physician to diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and provide medical care. They handle many of the day-to-day parts of patient care.
The demand for PAs is quite high; the job outlook for PAs is much higher than the national average for all professions.
3. Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Education Required: Master’s degree
- Median Salary: $132,050
- Cost of Degree: $25,460 to $33,620
- Total Time in School: 6 to 7 years
If you’re looking for a health career with job security, an NP career path may be a great choice; the demand for NPs is expected to grow by 35% by 2034 — the highest rate of all of the medical careers we considered.
NPs blend advanced clinical training with direct patient care, helping to diagnose conditions and treat illnesses.
4. Registered Nurse (RN)
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
- Median Salary: $93,600
- Cost of Degree: $22,390 to $52,850
- Total Time in School: 4 years
A career in nursing can be the quickest way to launch a career in the healthcare industry, you can typically become a nurse with a bachelor’s degree, so you can begin work in as little as four years. And, RNs tend to earn higher-than-average salaries. The median salary of RNs is $93,600 — 50% higher than the median salary for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. Pharmacist
- Education Required: Doctoral degree
- Median Salary: $137,480
- Cost of Degree: $146,164 to $216,188
- Total Time in School: 8 years
Pharmacists do more than fill prescription orders; they’re medication experts. They ensure that the medication prescribed is safe and appropriate, reviewing drug interactions and collaborating with physicians on treatment plans to protect patient well-being. A pharmacist can work in a retail pharmacy, hospital, compounding pharmacy, or with a pharmaceutical company.
Pharmacists tend to have lower salaries than physicians, but doctoral degrees are required, so there’s a significant education investment.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Medical Career
Now that you know some of the key education requirements for different career options, here are some factors to consider when planning to enter the healthcare field:
- Education: Depending on which career path you choose, you can expect to spend anywhere from four to 15 years in school to pursue a career in healthcare. While a longer education program can lead to a higher salary later, it may also mean taking on more education debt and more time before you can begin earning income.
- Demand: Some careers are expected to be more in demand than others, so there may be more job security. Of the five professions listed above, PAs are expected to see the most growth.
- Median earnings: Considering how much you can potentially earn compared to how much a degree will cost can help you make an informed decision.
- Financial aid: Depending on your program, you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, and student loans. Some career paths may have different classifications that affect your loan limits.
Planning for the Future
A career in healthcare can be rewarding, and it can come with a high salary. But make no mistake, any career in the medical field can be challenging and requires significant education and training. When choosing which program to pursue, consider how much time you’re willing to spend in school, education costs, work stress, and potential earnings. Talking to professionals working in your field can also help you get an idea if a career path is right for you.
