Many healthcare occupations are projected to grow in employment faster than the average job growth rate, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average growth rate for all occupations in the U.S. is 14 percent. This measures the rate of employment growth expected overall from 2010 to 2020. Of the 41 occupations related to human healthcare listed by the BLS, 36 have a projected growth rate higher than 14 percent.
Here is a breakdown of the projected rate of change in employment between 2010 and 2020 for those positions, beginning with the position with the best outlook. The projected numeric change in employment for each position is listed in parenthesis.
• Home health and personal care aides — 70 percent (1,313,200 jobs added)
• Physical therapist assistants and aides — 45 percent (51,100)
• Diagnostic medical sonographers — 44 percent growth (23,400)
• Occupational therapy assistants and aides — 41 percent (14,800)
• Physical therapists — 39 percent (77,400)
• Dental hygienists — 38 percent (68,500)
• Audiologists — 37 percent (4,800)
• EMTs and paramedics — 33 percent (75,400)
• Occupational therapists — 33 percent (36,400)
• Optometrists — 33 percent (11,300)
• Pharmacy technicians — 32 percent (108,300)
• Dental assistants — 31 percent (91,600)
• Medical assistants — 31 percent (162,900)
• Athletic trainers — 30 percent (5,500)
• Physician assistants — 30 percent (24,700)
• Cardiovascular/vascular technologists — 29 percent (14,500)
• Dispensing opticians — 29 percent (18,100)
• Chiropractors — 28 percent (14,900)
• Radiologic technologists — 28 percent (61,000)
• Respiratory therapists — 28 percent (31,200)
• Registered nurses — 26 percent (711,900)
• Pharmacists — 25 percent (69,700)
• Physicians and surgeons — 24 percent (168,300)
• Speech-language pathologists — 23 percent (28,800)
• Licensed practical and vocational nurses — 22 percent (168,00)
• Dentists — 21 percent (32,200)
• Medical records and health information techs — 21 percent (37,700)
• Dietitians and nutritionists — 20 percent (12,700)
• Massage therapists — 20 percent (30,900)
• Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants — 20 percent (302,000)
• Podiatrists — 20 percent (2,600)
• Radiation therapists — 20 percent (3,400)
• Nuclear medicine technologists — 19 percent (4,100)
• Surgical technologists — 19 percent (17,700)
• Recreational therapists — 17 percent (3,800)
• Psychiatric technicians and aides — 15 percent (21,800)
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