Healthcare is one industry that tends to be immune to challenging economic times. Healthcare is a basic need that people will always have. The medical field is expected to remain a vital asset for those seeking a rewarding and productive career for at least the next decade.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 3 million healthcare jobs will be created within the next five years, marking a 26% increase since 2008. The average growth for other top industries within that same period was 16%. It is easy to see why the medical field is such an attractive field to those seeking a career that is rewarding on both a personal and professional level.
According to Careers.com, medical office administrative and support jobs, such as medical billing and coding, make up 18% of all jobs in the healthcare industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a nearly 11% growth in this medical field over the next decade. Medical billing and coding alone has experienced substantial growth over the past five years, according to the American Hospital Association. According to Careerbuilder.com, the top medical careers include:
• Physician assistants (Average Earnings*: $63,675/year)
• Medical records technicians (Average Earnings*: $31,837/year)
• Social workers (Average Earnings*: $52,119/year)
• Clinical laboratory technicians (Average Earnings*: $27,861/year)
• Mental health counselor (Average Earnings*: $40,338/year)
• Medical scientists (Average Earnings*: $88,281/year)
• Pharmacists (Average Earnings*: $81,439/year)
• Physical therapists (Average Earnings*: $53,410/year)
• Medical transcriptionists (Average Earnings*: $27,602/year)
• Medical and health service managers (Average Earnings*: $55,380/year)
* According to CBsalary.com
Healthcare remains one of the largest industries in the United States. There are more than 11 million Americans working in healthcare-related jobs with an expected increase of 13% for all salary and wage positions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 9 out of the 20 fastest growing occupations are in the healthcare industry. There are several reasons for this substantial growth and anticipated growth. One major factor is an increasingly aging population. Baby boomers will soon enter their senior years with average age of the U.S. population expected to continue to increase over the next 10-20 years.
The largest population increases will occur in the 40-59 and over 80 age groups. The elderly will always need medical care regardless of the state of the economy. The increased population in this demographic area indicates that there will be even more demand for medical care over the next decade. A drastic increase in the elderly population will mean an urgent need for healthcare professionals to provide needed medical care. New innovations in technology, diagnosis and treatment mean an increased need for healthcare professional trained to use this technology to the full advantage of the patient.
Healthcare training opportunities are also increasing to meet the added demand. Training can often be completed within a few years. Some training programs allow individuals to get certified within just a few months. Some programs offer flexible schedules to allow individuals to acquire training while continuing with their current job. Medical assisting, nursing, healthcare management, medical administration and holistic medicine are some of the fastest growing areas within the healthcare field. There is also a need to keep track of all of the patient information that needs to be managed correctly. This means an increased demand for those trained in medical coding and billing.
Mitchell Gavillion is a freelance writer who covers various lifestyle industries including health care, education, and fitness. Mitchell is interested the medical billing and coding field and is passionate about learning, he believes education is one of the things that keeps people moving forward in life.
