What career opportunities are there in hospitals?
Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase
Do you aspire to work in a hospital, or are you simply curious about what hospital occupations exist? While you may have some understanding that there are many more career opportunities in hospitals beyond just being a doctor, what are some of these opportunities specifically?
There is an assortment of different jobs that exist in hospitals from medical technologists and medical record clerks to dieticians and nurses.
Continue reading as we explore the different career opportunities, the typical education requirements for each, and the 2023 median pay for these roles so you can start make an informed decision about whether any of these jobs that may be found in hospitals are for you.
11 different career opportunities that exist in hospitals
Here’s a list of different hospital jobs you may want to consider during your career research. As you explore the roles below, it’s important to note that not all hospitals will offer these jobs. These roles may also be available outside of hospital settings.
1. Physicians
2023 median pay: $239,200 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: A bachelor’s degree, medical degree, internship, residency, and fellowship (in some cases).
Physicians are doctors focused on patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, they help treat injuries and illnesses and educate patients on maintaining their health. If you choose to become a physician, you can expect your day-to-day life to include taking patients’ medical histories, prescribing medications, and communicating the findings of diagnostic tests.
2. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
2023 median pay: $60,780 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: Either an associate or bachelor’s degree. Some states may also require workers to be licensed.
Another type of professional you may find working in hospitals, among other settings, is a clinical laboratory technologist or technician. These individuals conduct laboratory tests for discovering and treating diseases. They also work to analyze the results and report their findings.
3. Dietitians
2023 median pay: $69,680 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: A bachelor's degree and, in some cases, a master's degree. Supervised internship experience and licenses (depending on the state) may also be required.
If nutrition and the human diet interest you, you may consider working towards becoming a dietitian. Dieticians working in a hospital setting may assess patients’ nutritional needs, develop personalized meal plans, and provide dietary counseling to support recovery and to manage chronic illnesses. They may also educate patients on healthy eating habits and support their special dietary requirements.
4. Registered nurses
2023 median pay: $86,070 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: An associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. A license may also be required.
If you’re particularly curious about hospital jobs that allow you to work directly with patients, you may consider becoming a registered nurse (RN). RNs often play a very active role in treating patients and have a range of responsibilities, from observing patients and recording notes to administering medicine and treatment to patients.
5. Occupational therapists
2023 median pay: $96,370 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: A master’s degree in occupational therapy and a license.
Does the idea of helping someone get back on their feet after an injury or illness sound rewarding to you? If so, one job you may find in a hospital that you may find appealing is that of occupational therapist. An occupational therapist will get to know a client’s medical history in-depth and implement a treatment plan to help them develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. This may include therapeutic exercises, activities, and adaptive techniques to enhance a patient’s fine motor skills, coordination, and cognitive function.
6. Diagnostic medical sonographer
2023 median pay: $80,850 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: An associate degree or post-secondary certificate.
Diagnostic medical sonographers are skilled in running special medical equipment to help create images or tests. They may also review test results or imaging to look for abnormalities and report their findings to physicians.
7. Health information technologists
2023 median pay: $62,990 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: An associate or bachelor’s degree, and, in some cases, a specialized certificate.
If you enjoy working with data, you may consider a career as a health information technologist working in a hospital. These professionals gather data and generate reports, often relating to patients. They also may work to ensure a hospital’s data is secure and patients’ privacy is protected, among other responsibilities.
8. Social workers
2023 median pay: $58,380 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: A bachelor’s degree and, in some cases, a master’s degree. In some cases, a state license is also required.
Have you ever wondered what a social worker does in a hospital? Social workers in hospitals can have a range of responsibilities, including assessing a patient’s emotional and social needs (factoring in things like emotional well-being, family dynamics, and social support). They may also provide counseling and support, coordinate care, and connect patients to resources. They may also help patients adjust to new changes in their lives, like a diagnosis.
9. Physician assistants
2023 median pay: $130,020 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 27% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: A bachelor’s degree and also a master’s degree from an accredited program, as well as a state license.
Physician assistants will examine patients and diagnose injuries and illnesses under a physician's supervision. They, like doctors, can prescribe medication if they’re licensed to do so in the state they’re working.
10. Pharmacists
2023 median pay: $136,030 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: A doctoral or professional degree and a state license.
If you’ve ever had to pick up medicine from a pharmacy, chances are you’ve interacted with a pharmacist. These professionals can also work in hospital settings where they may fill prescriptions based on doctors’ prescriptions and may also administer vaccinations. Their other responsibilities may include advising patients on proper medicine use and working with insurance companies to fix billing dilemmas related to prescriptions.
11. Physical therapists
2023 median pay: $99,710 per year
Job outlook: Expected to grow 15% from 2022 to 2032
Typical education requirements: A doctoral or professional degree and, in some cases, a license.
Another type of professional who works in hospitals is a physical therapist. These professionals help injured or sick patients improve their mobility. They guide patients through exercises and hands-on therapy, among other techniques, to help them manage their pain and normalize their movements on a day-to-day basis.
Final thoughts
If you aren’t sure if a career in a hospital is right for you, consider reaching out to a professional you can shadow. By talking to those already in the field and getting a glimpse into their day-to-day life, you may get a better idea of whether a specific career will suit your interests before taking the steps to pursue it.