The healthcare field in 2025 still has some of the highest-paying careers, reflective of the large amounts of education, specialised practice, and high levels of responsibility associated with such professions. The following are the top-paying careers:
- Surgeons
Average annual salary: $420,000 – $610,000
Surgeons, especially those specializing in neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and cardiovascular surgery, are the top earners due to the complexity and life-critical nature of activity involved in their field of work.
- Anesthesiologists
Average annual salary: $339,470
Anesthesiologists provide patient care during surgery as they administer anesthesia and also keep a watch on vital signs. They play an integral part in the success of surgical procedures.
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB-GYNs)
Median salary: $239,200
OB-GYNs handle the reproductive health of women, pregnancy, and childbearing, and their services are thus vital in healthcare.
- Physicians and surgeons
Average annual salary: $239,200
These specialisations are numerous, and all demand a lot of education and training to diagnose and treat disease.
- Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
Average annual salary: $214,200
CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses who provide anaesthesia, and in most instances, they are the only providers of anaesthesia in small hospitals.
- Pediatricians
Average annual salary: $205,860
Paediatricians are specialists in the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to early adulthood.
- Dentists
Average annual salary: $170,910
Dentists diagnose and treat teeth and gum issues and are responsible for a healthy mouth.
- Podiatrists
Average annual salary: $141,650
Podiatrists diagnose and treat diseases of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
- Pharmacists
Average annual salary: $136,030
Pharmacists dispense drugs and offer useful information regarding prescriptions to patients.
- Physician assistants
Average annual salary: $130,020
Physician assistants are medical practitioners who practise medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons and provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services.
Top healthcare careers for 2025
Healthcare professional demand is driven by demographic change, technological advancement, and preventive medicine. The most sought-after career opportunities in 2025 are:
- Registered nurses (RNs)
RNs administer and prescribe patient care, educate patients in accordance with health conditions, and emotionally console patients and their families. Career opportunities in health care are anticipated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics at much higher rates than the combined employment rate for all other occupations until the year 2033, and a large percentage of it is from registered nurses.
- Nurse practitioners (NPs)
NPs are primary and speciality providers of advanced nursing care to patients. Their practice is expanding, especially among vulnerable populations.
- Medical and health services managers
They direct, plan, and coordinate medical and health services. They may oversee an entire institution, a particular clinical department, or a group medical practice for a group of physicians.
- Physician assistants (PAs)
PAs are part of medical teams that include physicians, surgeons, and other healthcareprofessionals. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients.
- Physical therapists
Physical therapists assist and treat injured or ill patients to move and minimise pain, a vital aspect of rehabilitation and care for chronically ill or injured patients.
- Home health aides
Overview: Home health aides assist the disabled, chronically ill, or mentally impaired with everyday tasks such as dressing and bathing. As the population is ageing, home health aides are increasingly in demand.
- Medical assistants
Overview: Medical assistants engage in both clinical and administrative tasks in physician offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. The dual nature of medical assistants makes them an excellent addition to any type of healthcare facility.
- Occupational therapists
Overview: Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients by using therapeutic everyday activities. Occupational therapists help such patients develop, regain, and improve work and living skills.
Read this later: A woman from Montana discovers that her husband of 21 years did not pay his taxes – Now the IRS is pursuing them for…
Can IRS garnish wages without warning and how many notices does the IRS send before
Bad news for millions of Americans this Christmas – These are the new USPS rates for holiday shipments from October 2025 to January 2026
More than 100,000 Ford cars recalled – These are all the models and years of manufacture affected by the massive recall
Bad news for the US economy: Reagan advisor says recession is coming
What interest rates do the IRS charge on underpayments and overpayments – new rates set by the IRS
