25 careers
Best Entry-Level Healthcare Jobs
These healthcare careers can be started with a certificate or short program rather than a long degree. Many people use them to enter the field, then advance into nursing, therapy or management with employer tuition help.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| # | Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Training time | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgical Assistant | $66,800 | +6.1% | 1–2 years | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 2 | Hearing Aid Specialist | $65,160 | +19.4% | 6–12 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | +5.0% | 12–24 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 4 | Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,400 | +3.0% | 12–18 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 5 | Paramedic | $60,600 | +5.7% | 12–24 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 6 | Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $51,140 | +7.8% | 4–12 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 7 | Dental Lab Technician | $49,610 | -5.9% | 1–2 years | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Dental Assistant | $48,070 | +7.4% | 9–12 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 9 | Medical Appliance Technician | $48,030 | +3.5% | 1 year | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Sterile Processing Technician | $47,700 | +10.8% | 3–12 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Optician | $47,260 | +4.2% | 1–2 years on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Medical Administrative Assistant | $45,930 | +4.8% | 3–12 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | +6.4% | 3–12 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Medical Assistant | $45,690 | +12.9% | 9–12 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 15 | Ophthalmic Technician | $45,570 | +21.4% | Under 1 year | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 16 | Phlebotomist | $45,230 | +6.8% | 1–4 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 17 | Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | +1.9% | 1–4 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | +5.8% | 1–6 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 19 | Certified Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | +2.6% | 4–12 weeks | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 20 | Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | -4.4% | Under 1 year | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 21 | Ophthalmic Lab Technician | $39,460 | +2.2% | Several months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 22 | Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | +3.6% | 1–4 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 23 | Orderly | $38,290 | +4.0% | 1–4 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 24 | Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | -0.7% | 1–4 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 25 | Home Health Aide | $35,800 | +18.1% | 2–6 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent |
1. Surgical Assistant
Surgical assistants help surgeons during operations by providing exposure, controlling bleeding, suturing and helping position patients.
- Median pay: $66,800 ($32.11/hr)
- Training: 1–2 years: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +6.1% (faster than average), 1,400 openings/yr
Surgical Assistant career guide · Surgical Assistant training
2. Hearing Aid Specialist
Hearing aid specialists test hearing, select and fit hearing aids, and teach patients how to use and care for them.
- Median pay: $65,160 ($31.33/hr)
- Training: 6–12 months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +19.4% (much faster than average), 900 openings/yr
Hearing Aid Specialist career guide · Hearing Aid Specialist training
3. Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, set up sterile instruments and equipment, pass instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures, and maintain the sterile field to protect patients from infection.
- Median pay: $64,650 ($31.08/hr)
- Training: 12–24 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.0% (faster than average), 7,100 openings/yr
Surgical Technologist career guide · Surgical Technologist training
4. Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs, called LVNs in California and Texas) provide basic nursing care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians: monitoring patients, giving medications, changing dressings and reporting changes in condition.
- Median pay: $64,400 ($30.96/hr)
- Training: 12–18 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +3.0% (about as fast as average), 51,800 openings/yr
Licensed Practical Nurse career guide · Licensed Practical Nurse training
5. Paramedic
Paramedics respond to 911 calls and give advanced life support, including cardiac monitoring, IV medications and advanced airway care, before and during transport to the hospital.
- Median pay: $60,600 ($29.13/hr)
- Training: 12–24 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.7% (faster than average), 4,300 openings/yr
Paramedic career guide · Paramedic training
6. Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Medical billing and coding specialists review patient records, assign standardized diagnosis and procedure codes (ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS), submit insurance claims, and follow up on denials so healthcare providers are paid accurately.
- Median pay: $51,140 ($24.59/hr)
- Training: 4–12 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +7.8% (much faster than average), 14,000 openings/yr
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist career guide · Medical Billing and Coding Specialist training
7. Dental Lab Technician
Dental laboratory technicians make crowns, bridges, dentures and other dental appliances from impressions and digital scans provided by dentists.
- Median pay: $49,610 ($23.85/hr)
- Training: 1–2 years: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -5.9% (a projected decline), 3,600 openings/yr
Dental Lab Technician career guide · Dental Lab Technician training
8. Dental Assistant
Dental assistants prepare patients and treatment rooms, hand instruments and suction during procedures, take dental X-rays, sterilize instruments, and handle records and scheduling in dental offices.
- Median pay: $48,070 ($23.11/hr)
- Training: 9–12 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +7.4% (much faster than average), 53,000 openings/yr
Dental Assistant career guide · Dental Assistant training
9. Medical Appliance Technician
Medical appliance technicians construct, fit, maintain and repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic limbs.
- Median pay: $48,030 ($23.09/hr)
- Training: 1 year: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +3.5% (about as fast as average), 1,300 openings/yr
Medical Appliance Technician career guide · Medical Appliance Technician training
10. Sterile Processing Technician
Sterile processing technicians decontaminate, inspect, assemble and sterilize surgical instruments and medical devices, and track them so every procedure has safe, complete trays.
- Median pay: $47,700 ($22.93/hr)
- Training: 3–12 months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +10.8% (much faster than average), 10,700 openings/yr
Sterile Processing Technician career guide · Sterile Processing Technician training
11. Optician
Dispensing opticians help customers select eyeglass frames and lenses, take measurements, fit and adjust eyewear, and in some states fit contact lenses.
- Median pay: $47,260 ($22.72/hr)
- Training: 1–2 years on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +4.2% (about as fast as average), 5,600 openings/yr
Optician career guide · Optician training
12. Medical Administrative Assistant
Medical administrative assistants schedule appointments, check patients in and out, verify insurance, manage electronic health records and keep a healthcare office running smoothly.
- Median pay: $45,930 ($22.08/hr)
- Training: 3–12 months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +4.8% (about as fast as average), 89,200 openings/yr
Medical Administrative Assistant career guide · Medical Administrative Assistant training
13. Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense medications: they take prescription information, measure and package drugs, process insurance claims, manage inventory and serve customers in retail, hospital and mail-order pharmacies.
- Median pay: $45,750 ($22.00/hr)
- Training: 3–12 months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +6.4% (faster than average), 44,700 openings/yr
Pharmacy Technician career guide · Pharmacy Technician training
14. Medical Assistant
Medical assistants handle both clinical and administrative work in physician offices and clinics: rooming patients, taking vital signs, giving injections, collecting specimens and keeping schedules and health records accurate.
- Median pay: $45,690 ($21.97/hr)
- Training: 9–12 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +12.9% (much faster than average), 109,700 openings/yr
Medical Assistant career guide · Medical Assistant training
15. Ophthalmic Technician
Ophthalmic medical technicians assist ophthalmologists and optometrists by taking histories, testing vision, measuring eye pressure and running diagnostic imaging.
- Median pay: $45,570 ($21.91/hr)
- Training: Under 1 year: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +21.4% (much faster than average), 11,800 openings/yr
Ophthalmic Technician career guide · Ophthalmic Technician training
16. Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists draw blood from patients and donors for lab testing, transfusions and research, then label, process and transport each sample so results are accurate and traceable.
- Median pay: $45,230 ($21.75/hr)
- Training: 1–4 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +6.8% (faster than average), 18,000 openings/yr
Phlebotomist career guide · Phlebotomist training
17. Psychiatric Aide
Psychiatric aides help patients with mental illness or developmental disabilities with daily living, safety and activities in hospitals and treatment facilities.
- Median pay: $44,910 ($21.59/hr)
- Training: 1–4 weeks: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +1.9% (slower than average), 4,900 openings/yr
Psychiatric Aide career guide · Psychiatric Aide training
18. Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) respond to 911 calls and emergencies, assess patients, provide basic life support such as CPR, bleeding control and oxygen, and safely transport patients to the hospital.
- Median pay: $44,470 ($21.38/hr)
- Training: 1–6 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.8% (faster than average), 13,800 openings/yr
Emergency Medical Technician career guide · Emergency Medical Technician training
19. Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide basic daily care (bathing, dressing, feeding, moving and monitoring patients) in nursing homes, hospitals and home care, working under the supervision of licensed nurses.
- Median pay: $42,260 ($20.32/hr)
- Training: 4–12 weeks: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +2.6% (about as fast as average), 196,200 openings/yr
Certified Nursing Assistant career guide · Certified Nursing Assistant training
20. Medical Transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists listen to recordings from physicians and other providers and turn them into written reports, often editing drafts produced by speech recognition software.
- Median pay: $40,410 ($19.43/hr)
- Training: Under 1 year: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: -4.4% (a projected decline), 6,200 openings/yr
Medical Transcriptionist career guide · Medical Transcriptionist training
21. Ophthalmic Lab Technician
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglass and contact lenses, cutting, grinding, coating and finishing lenses to exact specifications.
- Median pay: $39,460 ($18.97/hr)
- Training: Several months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +2.2% (slower than average), 2,200 openings/yr
Ophthalmic Lab Technician career guide · Ophthalmic Lab Technician training
22. Occupational Therapy Aide
Occupational therapy aides prepare treatment areas, transport patients and help with clerical tasks, supporting occupational therapists and assistants.
- Median pay: $39,160 ($18.83/hr)
- Training: 1–4 weeks: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +3.6% (about as fast as average), 600 openings/yr
Occupational Therapy Aide career guide · Occupational Therapy Aide training
23. Orderly
Orderlies transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or X-ray rooms, help move and position patients, and keep patient areas clean and stocked.
- Median pay: $38,290 ($18.41/hr)
- Training: 1–4 weeks: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +4.0% (about as fast as average), 7,200 openings/yr
Orderly career guide · Orderly training
24. Pharmacy Aide
Pharmacy aides help licensed pharmacists and technicians with tasks such as answering phones, stocking shelves, operating cash registers and handling customer questions.
- Median pay: $37,680 ($18.12/hr)
- Training: 1–4 weeks: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -0.7% (little or no change), 5,100 openings/yr
Pharmacy Aide career guide · Pharmacy Aide training
25. Home Health Aide
Home health aides help clients with bathing, dressing, meals, mobility and medication reminders in their own homes, and report changes in condition to a nurse or care supervisor.
- Median pay: $35,800 ($17.21/hr)
- Training: 2–6 weeks: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +18.1% (much faster than average), 760,500 openings/yr
Home Health Aide career guide · Home Health Aide training
Methodology
Rankings use national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35)) for the 709 careers profiled on Career Education Institute. Lists are not exhaustive of all U.S. occupations. Data checked October 15, 2026.
About this list
What is #1 on the list of entry-level healthcare jobs?
Surgical Assistant, with a median wage of $66,800 per year and about 1–2 years of training.
How was this list made?
We ranked careers from our 709 profiles using BLS May 2025 wage data and 2025–35 employment projections, applying the criteria described on this page.