4 Best paid Technical Healthcare Jobs and Where to Study

Wondering what the highest paying technical healthcare jobs are and where to study?

Did you know many high-paying healthcare jobs require just a high school diploma or an associate’s degree and an attractive salary, including benefits?  Now more than ever, healthcare facilities and institutions are looking to fill up technical healthcare positions. Positions such as phlebotomists, radiologist, and pharmacy technicians are in high demand as those positions help support patient care.  

Check out 4 of the best technical jobs in healthcare, plus which schools have the best program for each position.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

A diagnostic medical sonographer or ultrasound technician uses imaging or ultrasound equipment to form images of the body’s many parts. Sonographers analyze and interpret the MRI scans and X-ray images doctors use to diagnose and treat many medical conditions, i.e., such as cancer and kidney stones. Sonographers are in high demand, with a 16% job growth.

Median Salary: $71,000

States with the Highest Pay (2018)

• Hawaii, $94,350
• Alaska, $93,740
• California, $92,660

Best Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Programs 

• Newman University offers a CT certification, Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology, and Bachelors of Sonography. 
• The University of Oklahoma-Norman, the program offers a Bachelor of Science in Sonography and Radiography.
• Seattle University, the program offers a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound.

Note: The best place to find sonographer positions is UltrasoundJOBS by ARDMS

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceutical and other medications to patients for diagnosis and treatment, i.e., cancer and heart disease. The industry is projected to grow by 10% in 2026. 

Median Salary: $76,820

States with the Highest Pay 

• California, $115,900 
• Rhode Island, $105, 200 
• Hawaii, $99,550

Note: Check out the full list of highest paying states  for Nuclear Medicine Technologists, including entry-level salary

Best Nuclear Medicine Technologist Programs

• John Hopkins University, 18-month NMT, and CT (computed tomography) certification program, students learn in a clinical setting
• Oregon Institute of Technology, a four-year bachelor of science in nuclear medicine technology. The school has a 100% pass rate for both the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART) and Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) board exams
• The University of Iowa, a four-year NMT program that requires students to major/hold another degree. 

Note: More information on what a nuclear medicine technologist does and a list of schools.

Dental Hygienist

Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, dental hygienists develop personal oral hygiene programs for patients, examine and clean teeth and gums,  and provide preventative care solutions.  Hygienist positions require associate degrees. The demand for dental care and skilled dental hygienist has grown over the years, rising 6% faster than the average for all healthcare occupations by 2029. 

The pay is between $64,952 and $86,137; salary depends on education, location, and experience.

Median Salary: $75,667 (as of August 2020), $36.30 hourly in 2018

States with the Highest Pay

• Alaska, $114,320
• California, $100,830
• Washington, $90,690
• Arizona, 85,890
• New Jersey, 85,860

Best Dental Hygienist Programs

Top 3 Associate Degree Programs

• New York University, Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene, its a two year or 17 months (option) program. An experiential program where students work in clinical settings and rotations in various dental hygiene specialty programs. 
• The University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene, a two-year program that offers both an associate and bachelor’s in dental hygiene and is research and clinical based.
• Fox Valley Technical College (Wisconsin), Associate of Applied Science-Dental Hygienist, a two-year program with a 100% employment rate.

Top 3 Bachelors Degree Programs

• The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, School of Dentistry, a three-year program that requires 120 credit hours(ranked the 4th in the world)
• Texas A&M University-College Station, Caruth School of Dental Hygiene, a two year or 60-hour semester program. The university has a master’s degree in dental hygiene program. 
• The University of Southern California’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry,  a five-trimester program. The university also offers an intensive six-year training program for students who want to go the Bachelors to Doctorate route. 

Note: Check out Successful Student for the Top 10 List

Radiation Therapist Technologist

A radiation therapist technologist administers radiation treatments to cancer patients or other serious illnesses. They often perform x-rays, MRIs, sonograms, and other imagining procedures. Most radiation therapists work full time to collect and analyze patient data to develop patient treatment plans.  Often, radiation therapists hold an associate’s degree and have state-specified licenses/certification and work in outpatient treatment facilities, physicians’ offices, and hospitals. 

Median Salary: $86, 668 (as of August 2020)

States with the Highest Pay

• California, $114,280
• New Jersey, 107,850
• Oregon, $105,970
• Connecticut, $105,570
• Washington, $101, 830

Best Radiation Therapist Technologist Programs

• Oregon Health and Science University, the program offers a radiologic technology certificate, associate degree, and Bachelors of Science in Radiation 
• University of Nebraska Medical Center, a 12-month program that offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Science Technology, students must complete 35 hours of semester courses and have a radiology certificate to be admitted to the program.
• Grand Valley State University, the program offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy and includes clinical experience.

Note(s):  You must also register for the American Registry Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) licensure examination after completing your degree. While you can become a radiation therapist with an associate degree (two-year program), many employers prefer a bachelor’s degree. 

Conclusion

There are many technical healthcare jobs out there for people interested in dentistry, oncology, health administrative. In that case, management, pain management, and nursing. This list includes some high paying technical healthcare jobs and places to study. Although the schools listed are considered the best schools for these positions, please research, connect with school officials and advisors, and choose the school that works best for you.

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