Healthcare Jobs in Demand: 7 Careers With Projected Growth in the Healthcare Field

Key Insights:

• Several entry-level roles in healthcare are projected to be in demand in the years ahead, including medical billing and coding, medical assistant, medical and health services manager, and dental assistant.
• Some employers require or prefer candidates with a postsecondary education. Even if they don't, enrolling in a healthcare career training program can help prepare you for a career in that role, and can set you apart from candidates who don't have this level of education.
• Ultimate Medical Academy offers a variety of healthcare degree programs, each designed to provide you with the education and skills you may need for applicable roles in that specific field.

Careers in the Healthcare Field Are in Demand

If you're interested in working in healthcare, one factor you may consider before choosing a particular career path is its anticipated growth rate. This rate can tell you how many jobs are expected to be added in the future, which can also give some indication of what your job search might look like once you're ready to find an entry-level position in that role.

The healthcare and social assistance sector is anticipated to create the most jobs between 2024 and 2034.¹ Which positions are projected to grow in the years ahead?

7 Growing Healthcare Careers From 2024–2034

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides occupational projections for several roles in the healthcare field. Here are some with faster-than-average projected growth rates in the years ahead.

#1: Social and Human Service Assistant

Job Outlook 2024–2034: 6% (Faster than average)²

Healthcare professionals in these roles help connect patients to the resources and services they need for their conditions and health status. This might involve working with populations with specific health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, or certain health challenges, such as overcoming substance abuse.

The BLS attributes the 6% growth rate for these occupations to an aging population. It is also attributed to people with substance abuse enrolling in treatment programs rather than spending time in jail.³ Generally, a high school diploma is required for a health and human service role, along with on-the-job training. Some employers may require or prefer a higher level of education.

#2: Medical and Health Services Manager

Job Outlook 2024–2034: 23% (Much faster than average)⁴

Medical and health services managers help healthcare organizations run efficiently. They do this by performing tasks such as budget preparation, process implementation, and document creation — all of which can help the organization meet its desired goals.

Healthcare management roles are expected to increase due to healthcare delivery becoming more complex, requiring more managers to help organizations navigate technology advances, shifting regulations, and changing care models.⁵ Health service managers often need a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, although some employers hire candidates with an associate degree, while others require that applicants have a master’s degree.

#3: Medical Billing and Coding

Job Outlook 2024–2034: 4% (Faster than average)⁶

Medical billing and coding involves using standard coding systems to translate patient health data (their diagnoses, medical tests performed, and treatment protocol) into alphanumeric codes, then using these codes to bill the patient’s health insurance provider and/or the patient themselves for their portion of the expense.

Some employers require workers to have a high school diploma for this role, along with provided, on-the-job training. That said, obtaining a degree in medical billing and coding can help provide the skills needed to perform these functions, as well as enabling you to stand out from job applicants who don't have this type of education.

#4: Medical Assistant

Job Outlook 2024–2034: 12% (Much faster than average)⁷

Medical assistants help with patient care tasks such as measuring and recording vital signs, assisting a practitioner with patient exams, and taking bloodwork to send to the lab for testing.

Generally, a postsecondary education is needed to work in a medical assistant role. Even if not required, some employers prefer that job applicants have this higher level of education.

#5: Phlebotomy Technician

Job Outlook 2024–2034: 6% (Faster than average)⁸

Phlebotomy techs draw blood from patients. Blood may be drawn for a variety of reasons, including testing for disease, obtaining blood to be used in transfusions, for research-based purposes, or for blood donation.

To work as a phlebotomist, you must typically complete a postsecondary program, and employers may also prefer candidates with professional certification. To earn this certification, you may need both classroom education and clinical experience.

#6: Medical Administrative Assistant

Job Outlook 2024–2034: 4%⁹

Medical administrative assistants help healthcare agencies run more smoothly. They do this by performing administrative tasks such as patient scheduling, health insurance billing, and updating patients’ medical records.

A high school diploma is often required for entry-level medical administrative assistant positions. Some employers prefer that applicants have a higher level of education, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree.

#7: Dental Assistant

Job Outlook 2024–2034: 6% (Faster than average)¹⁰

Dental assistants help prep patients for upcoming procedures, provide guidance regarding proper oral care, and assist dentists during treatment sessions. Some dental offices require assistants to perform administrative duties as well, such as those related to patient scheduling and billing.

This healthcare role is expected to grow due to research linking oral health with general health. It is also expected to grow because of the aging population.¹¹ Depending on the employer, you may be required to have a high school diploma and on-the-job training or the completion of a dental assisting program to perform this role.

Are You Ready to Pursue Training for a Career in Healthcare?

Each of these growing healthcare careers is projected to bring a wider range of jobs in the years ahead. This gives you plenty of options if this is one of your considerations when pursuing a career within the healthcare field.

Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) offers a variety of healthcare career training programs, each designed to help prepare you for your desired role. We provide academic support and guidance throughout your educational journey, in addition to assisting with your job search once you're ready to enter the field. We can do this by helping with your resume, providing job interview advice, and potentially connecting you with one of our employer partners.

Call us at 888-205-2510 or contact us online to learn more about your healthcare career training options, the support we provide during your education and career, or to enroll. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you achieve your healthcare career goals.

FAQs

• What healthcare jobs are in demand? Several healthcare roles are in demand, including medical assistant, phlebotomist, and medical services manager.¹² Two of the fastest-growing healthcare occupations from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS, are medical and health services managers and home health aides.¹³
• What is my next step if I want to pursue a career in a growing healthcare field? Enrolling in a healthcare career training program can provide the knowledge and skills required for your desired role. Ultimate Medical Academy offers several options, both online¹⁴ and blended.
• Can I still pursue an in-demand healthcare role if I have no experience in this field? Absolutely. Some employers require only a high school diploma and provide on-the-job training for certain entry-level healthcare roles. You can also gain hands-on training by enrolling in a healthcare training program that includes an on-site externship or professional practice experience. UMA offers several programs that include this type of experience, training you to pursue roles such as medical assistant, pharmacy technician, dental assistant, and more.