Best 2-year Medical Degrees That Pay Well in 2024. Exploring various lucrative two-year medical degrees opens diverse career possibilities in healthcare beyond traditional roles like doctors and nurses. Specializations now cater to specific patient age groups and health conditions, from premature birth to end-of-life care.
Both online and on-campus programs offer comprehensive medical education focusing on practical skills and the potential for further research. These degrees often require practical experiences like internships and volunteer work, and understanding how to access free education aids in focusing on academic pursuits without financial concerns.
Best 2 years Medical degrees that pay well
The best 2 years medical degrees that pay well are
- Medical assistant
- Surgeon Technology
- Medical billing and coding specialist
- Health Services Administration
- Cardiovascular technologist and technician
- Skincare specialist
- Dental Hygienist Degree
- Pharmacy technician
- Physical Therapy
- Phlebotomy technician
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Radiation Therapy
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Clinical Laboratory Management
- Microbiology
- Medical Assistant:
This two-year medical degree yields high pay and offers lucrative hospital roles without requiring a bachelor’s degree. Medical assistants handle both clinical and administrative tasks, such as appointment scheduling, maintaining medical records, and patient billing.
- Surgeon Technology:
The surgical technologist works alongside the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse, providing patient care pre, during, and post-surgery. They set up surgical tools, pass instruments to the surgical team, and maintain sterile supplies in the operating room. This two-year medical program prepares students for entry-level positions in the rapidly growing field of surgical technology, offering opportunities in hospitals, surgery and obstetric departments, as well as ambulatory surgery facilities.
- Medical Billing and Coding Specialist:
After a patient gets treatment, medical coders step in. They ensure fair payment for services and accuracy in medical records. Becoming a medical coder usually requires less time than becoming a nurse or doctor. Many educational paths are open to those interested, with some opting for a two-year degree.
- Health Services Administration:
Upon finishing the two-year health services administration program, students gain the skills to ensure healthcare facilities run smoothly and patients receive top-notch care. You’ll learn to oversee effective healthcare systems and influence community health in areas like diabetes, immunization, nutrition, and more.
- Cardiovascular technologist and technician:
Jobs like cardiovascular technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers are well-paid healthcare careers. They don’t need a full 4-year degree to start. They use special machines to create images and do tests that help doctors diagnose medical problems. They work closely with doctors and surgeons during treatments. To become one, you need a certificate or an associate degree. These jobs often pay well even with a 2-year degree. Some programs only take a year for specialized training in heart or vascular technology and similar fields.
- Skincare specialist:
Skincare professionals improve skin appearance by moisturizing, cleaning, and applying treatments like waxing or laser therapy. To become licensed, complete a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program (around 600 hours, sometimes 750 hours) and pass a state exam. On average, skincare specialists earn about $34,090 yearly. However, experienced practitioners with skills can earn up to $62,000 annually, making it a well-paying medical certification in 2022.
- Dental Hygienist Degree:
Dental hygienists identify and treat oral health issues, advising people on improving mouth, teeth, and gum health. Pursuing a two-year medical degree as a dental hygienist can lead to good pay in the dental field. Some dental schools have easier admission criteria, allowing faster entry. Completing the program equips students with the skills and knowledge required for registration with the General Dental Council, a must for practicing as a dental hygienist.
- Pharmacy technician:
One fast certification leading to around $50,000 annually is for pharmacy technicians. They assist pharmacists in preparing medicines for hospitals or healthcare sites. Their tasks include measuring, combining, labeling medications, and managing prescription orders. Additionally, they may handle pricing, patient prescriptions, and insurance claims for medicines. On average, pharmacy technicians earn about $36,450 yearly, yet some can make over $50,430 annually, according to the BLS.
- Physical Therapy:
Physical therapy (PHTH) is a healthcare field that aims to boost health and movement. Therapists assist individuals, irrespective of age, in improving how they move, preventing movement problems, and tackling existing issues. They primarily aid people dealing with restricted movement, pain, or challenges in daily activities. These professionals can be found working in hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics, and schools.
- Phlebotomy technician:
Phlebotomy, a quick medical certification, offers lucrative earnings, with some making over $50,000 annually. Phlebotomists collect blood for tests, donations, or research and explain the process to patients. This field offers a well-paying two-year medical program, with an average salary of $35,510 and top earners making over $49,750 per year.
- Nuclear Medicine Technology:
A degree in nuclear medicine technology allows immediate entry into healthcare, promising a high salary and a swift completion in two years. This program educates students to administer radioactive substances, use specialized equipment for scanning and imaging, aiding doctors in diagnosing medical issues. The curriculum includes courses in physiology, chemistry, anatomy, nuclear medicine pharmacology, radiation safety, mathematics, and radiation procedures.
- Radiation Therapy:
A great two-year medical program leading to a healthcare job is radiation therapy. Graduates become radiation therapists, administering radiation treatment to cancer patients. They learn to pass certification exams and obtain state licenses. This role involves using equipment, analysing data, and collaborating with teams, and needs physical stamina, compassion, and strong communication skills.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging:
A two-year program, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), offers good pay after completion. Graduates can take the MRI Certification Exam and begin their careers in this field. The course covers various subjects including MR techniques, human anatomy, medical terms, computer use in imaging, and safety practices. Students gain technical skills to handle imaging devices, communicate with patients, and ensure safety during procedures.
- Clinical Laboratory Management:
Medical laboratory scientists seeking career advancement can enrol in the two-year Clinical Laboratory Management program. Completing the Diplomate in Laboratory Management Exam requirement takes one to two years. This degree offers flexibility, convenience, and lucrative opportunities in healthcare leadership.
- Microbiology:
A Bachelor’s in Microbiology suits those passionate about science, the environment, and food safety, aiming to make a significant impact. This degree, similar to other lucrative medical degrees, prepares graduates for various career paths, including becoming a microbiologist.
Microbiologists study microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi to advance scientific knowledge and aid healthcare. The degree offers foundational science knowledge, lab skills, and covers topics like genetics, immunology, and environmental microbiology.
Highest Paying Medical Jobs in 2024
If you’re considering a career in the medical field but unsure about earnings, you might wonder about the salaries for different medical professions. To assist in your healthcare career decision, we’ve compiled a list of the top-paying medical jobs expected in 2024.
The Highest Paying Medical Jobs are:
- Anesthesiologist – $302,970
- Physician and Surgeon – $229,300
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – $203,090
- Pediatrician – $190,350
- Dentist – $159,530
- Podiatrist – $148,720
- Chief Nursing Officer – $140,763
- Pharmacist – $132,750
- Physician Assistant – $126,010
- Optometrist – $125,590
- Nurse Practitioner – $121,610
- Nurse Midwife – $120,880
- Medical or Health Services Manager – $104,830
- Clinical Informatics Manager – $103,706
- Veterinarian – $103,260
- Physical Therapist – $97,720
- Occupational Therapist – $93,180
- Radiation Therapist – $89,530
- Speech Language Pathologist – $84,140
- Dental Hygienist – $81,400
Conclusion
Numerous two-year medical programs offer good pay, even though many prefer higher-paying undergraduate degrees. These medical certificate programs can yield annual incomes ranging from $25,000 to $75,000, depending on the chosen field and experience level.
Demand for medical professions is high, with employment rates growing faster than in other fields, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Besides popular programs like a medical assistant or dental assistant, there are other lucrative medical certificate programs worth considering.