Industry Snapshot: Explore the Fastest Growing Careers in Healthcare

Considering a career in healthcare? Consider this: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2014 and 2024 healthcare occupations and industries are expected to have the fastest employment growth — almost 20% — and to add the most jobs.

And the area of health science alone encompasses a broad range of occupations and specializations responsible for 9% of jobs in the US economy.

So what does this mean for you? If your career goals include improving the quality of life of people or animals, or helping chart paths to mental and physical wellness, then you could be in high demand when you graduate.

Here are just some of the fastest-growing healthcare careers (projected through 2024):

• physical therapist, with a much-faster-than-average job growth outlook of 34%
• occupational therapist, with a much-faster-than-average job growth outlook of 27%
• medical and health services manager, with a much-faster-than-average job growth outlook of 17%
• physician assistant, with a much-faster-than-average job growth outlook of 30%
• dietitian or nutritionist, with a faster-than-average job growth outlook of 14%
• health educators or community health workers, with a faster-than-average job growth outlook of 13%
• mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist, with a much-faster-than-average job growth outlook of 19%
• technical writer, with a faster-than-average job growth outlook of 10%
• veterinarian, with a faster-than-average job growth outlook of 9%

Whether you’re looking to enter the healthcare industry right after graduation, or go on to a graduate program (like our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program), JWU’s College of Health & Wellness offers the degree programs necessary to help you get there.

Our students often craft their own plans of study by combining undergraduate core requirements with electives that make them a strong candidate for entrance into medical, physician assistant, dental or veterinary graduate studies — fields involved in direct patient care. Students can also pursue other career fields not involved in direct patient care, such as business administration, health education and policy analysis.