The Top 4 Health Care Careers in 2024

Investing in good health care is the cornerstone of a prosperous society. The past two years taught governments worldwide the need to build medical infrastructure and generate quality workers in the field. This has led to a surge in interest among people wanting to start a career as physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, and other roles.

Students looking to start a career in health care should begin by knowing the best trajectory to take. The demand for healthcare specialists in new areas like AI-assisted care will be highlighted in the coming year. 

However, more established roles are still attractive, given that health care systems remain faithful to the value human professionals bring. If you're just starting college or looking for a shift to the world of health care, it's important to know what careers will take the limelight in 2024.

1. Physical Therapists

Tasked with helping individuals recover from debilitating injuries, physical therapists are on this list for good reasons. They are getting good pay despite the demand for the role, which is expected to increase by as much as 17% in 2031 or earlier. With the increasing need to enhance occupational safety and advancements in medical technology, physical therapists are becoming more prominent across different sectors, from senior care to sports. If you have an anatomy and sports science background, this career might be ideal.

2. Veterinarian

With the demand for pet-friendly spaces becoming more pronounced, veterinarians are becoming even more valuable. People have become more attached to their pets due to the effects of the lockdowns that happened across the world, thereby causing a surge in sales of toys, accessories, medication, and animal care services. The field is projected to be one of the most competitive in the health care sector, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting a steady 19% rise in the next eight years. With this in mind, your love for animals could be the starting point of a successful career in the veterinary sector.

3. Nutritionist

Job growth for nutritionist roles could be better than other careers in the health care sector, but it's still a worthwhile profession. Nutritionists typically complement fitness programs by suggesting optimal meal plans for people with unique dieting requirements. Despite this, the role belongs to a list of health care careers with the lowest pay. You could earn roughly $61,000 a year in the United States. However, the trade-off is the high employability it entails. This is a career with worldwide demand; for example, if you're a Chilean wondering, "Cuanto gana un nutricionista en Chile?," you will find a steady demand for nutritionists in places like Valparaiso and Maule.

4. Psychiatrist

Along with nurses and general practitioners, the future looks bright for psychiatrists in 2024. The past years saw how valuable mental health care has become, and this notion extends beyond the health care crisis defining the 2020s. With the rise of telepsychiatry and new treatment methods such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, the field is opening its doors to younger practitioners ready to harness new tools and methods for addressing depression, PTSD, and anxiety. 

Health Field Growing

There are many other health-related opportunities to consider. Is pursuing a career as a health care professional in 2024 a viable option? If you're truly passionate and committed, then it's worth taking the plunge.

There are many other health-related careers to consider. If you or a loved one is looking for a career, the health field will offer many opportunities for decades into the future. 

In addition to the four above, other careers to consider include:

• Nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants
• Registered nurses
• Occupational therapists
• Dental hygienists
• Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
• Speech-language pathologists
• Audiologists
• Radiation therapists
• Respiratory therapists
• Social workers
• Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
• Opticians
• Optometrists
• Genetic counselors