What Salary Possibilities Do You Have as a Health Science Major?

Did you know that jobs in healthcare are estimated to grow 13 percent from 2021 to 2031? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 2 million new jobs will become available in that time! The demand for healthcare professionals is not coming to a stop anytime soon, so if you’re considering entering the medical field, now is the time to do so.

If you want to pursue a job in the medical system that prioritizes helping your community, then you should consider majoring in health science.

But what exactly is health science? What are the average salaries for a health science degree?

What is Health Science?

Health science is best described as the study of health-related topics such as medicine and nutrition, laying the foundations in overall medical knowledge. Standard courses in health science are biology, chemistry, and even social sciences like psychology in order that the students gain a firm understanding of science which can then be applied to various areas of medicine. Common positions for health science majors to pursue include healthcare administration, physical therapy, and pharmacy technology.

Top Health Science Careers and Salaries

Whether you want to work in the field or on the research side of medicine, a health science major is equipped to work in many areas. Something to note is that a health science major salary varies by job role.

Here are the top jobs for health science majors:

Pharmacy Technician

Whether you realize it or not, you most likely see a pharmacy technician more often than any other medical worker. Pharmacy technicians work in drugstores, hospitals, and supermarkets. In order to start working, a pharmacy technician must earn an associate degree or certificate. The median annual salary for a pharmacy technician is $36,740.

Biomedical Engineer

A biomedical engineer applies the principles of engineering in order to solve health and healthcare issues. This is done by designing efficient medical equipment and improving healthcare processes. Biomedical engineers have many opportunities for work, whether it be in a hospital or for private company labs where they design and test health equipment to sell on the market. The median annual salary for a biomedical engineer is $97,410.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists often work in hospitals, nursing homes, or schools. The role of an OT is to help patients recover from a condition or injury as well as to develop skills that are necessary for performing daily activities. The median annual salary for an occupational therapist is $85,570.
Physical Therapist

Physical therapists have the essential job of helping patients regain movement and ease pain caused by an illness, injury, or accident. Through the development of a personalized care plan PTs improve body strength and prevent additional injury. The median annual salary for a physical therapist is $95,620.
Dental Hygienist

Whatever your opinion on going to the dentist is, you can’t deny the value of their work. Dental hygienists assist dentists and help patients take care of their dental health. Practically, this means that dental hygienists take x-rays, clean teeth, and do oral examinations. Dental hygienists are required to be licensed in every state. The median annual salary for a dental hygienist is $77,810.

Medical Lab Technician

Every hospital and clinic needs a lab to analyze specimens and deliver blood results. While that is not nearly all that lab technicians do, it is clear how necessary they are to the health care process. A lab technician must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science. The median annual salary of a lab technician is $57,800.
Speech-Language Pathologist

Most likely found working at schools or private practices, speech-language pathologists help solve speaking troubles as well as problems with swallowing. In addition to needing an undergraduate degree in health sciences, speech therapy, or biology, all states require licensing for speech pathology. In order to be licensed, you must have a degree from an accredited master’s program as well as complete hours of supervised clinical practice. The median annual salary of a speech-language pathologist is $79,060.
Healthcare Administrator

We often don’t realize how much effort goes into making sure that hospitals and clinics run smoothly. Healthcare administrators work behind the scenes in finance or informatics to make sure that resources are properly managed and processes run well. A master’s degree is required for upper management and administrative positions. The median annual salary of a healthcare administrator is $101,340.
Health Educator

Health educators teach individuals and groups about health and overall well-being. This is done through creating educational programs that outline and encourage healthy behaviors like exercising and eating well. Health educators typically have a bachelor’s degree in a similar field like health promotion or health science. The median annual salary for health educators is $60,600.

Earning Your Degree Online

If the idea of saving time and money as you earn your health science degree appeals to you, University of the People is the best online learning option. Not only is UoPeople tuition-free, but it is also highly regarded for its top-level programs. If you are interested in entering the medical field, the health science bachelor program offered at UoPeople will enable you to have foundational medical knowledge as well as gain the skills needed for you to improve patient well-being and overall satisfaction.

Through the study of biology, anatomy, psychology, and more, you will be well-equipped to work as a health education specialist, medical services manager, and as wellness coordinator. Not only that, a health science bachelor’s degree is the perfect stepping stone towards advancing your career or pursuing a master’s degree.

The Bottom Line

In the end, it all comes down to this: the salaries post health science associate degree are dependent on your job title, further education, and location. The salaries for a health science degree are surely important, but remember that what is just as important is working in a position that fulfills you and brings personal satisfaction. That’s why working in health science is an incredible field to work in, for you get the best of both worlds–high pay and overall happiness through giving to your community.