NPs Have the Best Job in Healthcare

MEDPAGE TODAY ^ | January 10, 2024 | Kristina Fiore

[nickcarraway]

— Being a PA is a close second, according to the U.S.

Being a nurse practitioner (NP) is the best job in healthcare, and the physician assistant (PA) is a close second, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 rankingsopens in a new tab or window.

Indeed, the NP ranks first overall in the publisher's top jobs list for this yearopens in a new tab or window, beating out financial manager, software developer, and IT manager. The PA comes in fifth on the main list, according to the rankings.

"The 10-year outlook for this occupation [NP] is strong, with one in three of the top 100 jobs being in healthcare -- an increase from one in four in the 2023 rankings," Erika Giovanetti, money expert at U.S. News, said in a press releaseopens in a new tab or window. "Future growth and a high median salary make this career sector appealing as well."

This year's "Best Jobs" list from U.S. News logs the top employment opportunities across 17 categories, including healthcare and healthcare support.

NPs reign on the healthcare-specific listopens in a new tab or window, making a median annual salary of $121,610, and PAs in second place make a median salary of $126,010.

Other jobs include the nurse anesthetist at number 6, making a median of $203,090, and the physical therapist at number 7, with a median salary of $97,720.

The first physician job doesn't appear until the 9th spot -- and it's for the psychiatrist, making a median salary of $226,880.

Then, the anesthesiologist holds spot number 13 ($239,200), followed by the ob/gyn at spot 14 ($239,200) and the pediatrician at spot 22 ($190,350).

Genetic counselors hold the top spot on the healthcare support listopens in a new tab or window, making a median salary of $89,990. They're followed by orthotists and prosthetists ($77,070), dental hygienists ($81,400), and hearing aid specialists ($59,020).

Data for the annual best-jobs lists come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, according to U.S. News methodologyopens in a new tab or window. Jobs are ranked based on their overall score, which combines five variables into a single weighted average score, the organization said. Those variables are future prospects/growth potential (30%); wage potential (25%); employment rate (20%); job safety and stability (15%); and work/life balance (10%).

Here are the top 10 jobs from the healthcare-specific lists, along with median salary.

Healthcareopens in a new tab or window

1. NP; $121,610

2. PA; $126,010

3. Speech-Language Pathologist; $84,140

4. Occupational Therapist; $93,180

5. Veterinarian; $103,260

6. Nurse Anesthetist; $203,090

7. Physical Therapist; $97,720

8. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon; $239,200

9. Psychiatrist; $226,880

10. Registered Nurse; $81,220

Health Care Supportopens in a new tab or window

1. Genetic Counselor; $89,990

2. Orthotist and Prosthetist; $77,070

3. Dental Hygienist; $81,400

4. Hearing Aid Specialist; $59,020

5. Vet Tech; $38,240

6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer; $81,350

7. Occupational Therapy Assistant; $64,250

8. Physical Therapist Assistant; $62,770

9. Massage Therapist; $49,860

10. Pharmacy Tech; $37,790

[nickcarraway]

I've been told Nurse Practitioners are "above" Physician Assistants, but I'm not sure why.

[bigbob]

How much do Gender Changers make?

[dkGba]

I think because they can practice independently. Technically, physicians assistants can usually only work under supervision of the doctor they work with (although that never happens)

[uptowngirl]

I went to the doctor that was listed on my insurance card for about 5 yrs. I actually saw him once. All the other times I saw his PA and I was happy with that - I really liked her.

[gloryblaze]

I wonder what pharmacists make. I see their assistants do well. I had to pick up a batch of prescriptions for my sister a couple of days ago. Pharmacist started to give me a long spiel about each one, even though he knew they were for someone else. I said, “Well, just put all the poop sheets in the bag for her.” He gave me a look as though I had said a triple f word. “What did you say?” I said, “Just put that stack of papers in there with the bottles.”

[Babba Gi]

I retired after thirty eight years as a Nurse Anesthetist. Since the 1980’s I always made six figures. It was long hours, a lot of being on-call, a lot of stress, I loved it. There’s no reason an energetic Nurse Anesthetist shouldn’t make at least 200K a year now. I retired at sixty eight, the body was shot, and the mind wasn’t as sharp. The only down side, a little PTSD.

[PROCON]

How much do Gender Changers make?

🤣🤣🤣

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Then, the anesthesiologist holds spot number 13 ($239,200), followed by the ob/gyn at spot 14 ($239,200) and the pediatrician at spot 22 ($190,350).

I believe that malpractice insurance premiums eat up quite a bit of that income for any of those specialties.