Exploring Health Care Careers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the health care industry will have the largest growth in jobs compared to all other industries. In the next few years 26% of all new jobs will be created in the health care and social assistance industry. This includes jobs in public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, individual care, and family services. That equals an estimated 4 million new job opportunities.
Below is a short list of some of the many health care occupations that will experience growth in Kentucky. Using your Interest code from Assess Yourself, you can begin exploring some of these occupations.
| Occupation | Interest code | Education |
Average annual salary |
Average annual job openings |
|
Home Health Aides |
SRE |
High school diploma and up to one year of training. |
$21,812 | 161 |
|
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians |
RIS |
Some college and satisfy license requirements. |
$26,674 | 45 |
|
Physical Therapist Aide |
SRI |
High school diploma and up to one year of training. |
$25,693 | 23 |
|
Physician Assistant |
ISA |
Some college and satisfy license requirements. |
$82,817 | 21 |
|
Occupational Therapist Aides |
SRA |
High school diploma and up to one year of training. |
$30,377 | 7 |
| Veterinarians | IRS |
Professional degree in veterinary science and satisfy license requirements. |
$95,869 | 37 |
|
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist |
SER |
College degree and satisfy license requirements. |
$61,937 | 33 |
|
Physical Therapist Assistants |
SRA |
Some college and satisfy license requirements. |
$47,872 | 61 |
|
Dental Assistants |
SRI |
High school diploma and up to one year of training. |
$31,996 | 225 |
|
Dental Hygienists |
SCR |
Some college and satisfy license requirements. |
$56,185 | 70 |
|
Physical Therapists |
SRI |
Professional degree and satisfy license requirements. |
$76,379 | 75 |
|
Occupational Therapists |
SRI |
College degree and satisfy license requirements. |
$71,243 | 57 |
| Athletic Trainers | SRI |
College degree and satisfy license requirements. |
$38,174 | 57 |
|
Occupational Therapist Assistants |
SRA |
College degree and satisfy license requirements. |
$51,401 | 10 |
| Psychiatrists | IAS |
Professional degree and satisfy license requirements. |
$180,070 | 11 |
To explore more health care occupations that will experience growth, you can go to the Workforce Kentucky Industry Explorer.
The Virtual Career Network is another website that provides detailed information about occupations in the healthcare field.
After exploring careers that fit who you are, you are now ready to Create a Plan & Set Goals.
