Healthcare & Human Services
Healthcare and support is about keeping people well, from nurses, paramedics and doctors to physical therapists, home health aides and social workers, and the allied health professionals behind them. It is the country's largest employer and its fastest-growing one, because the population is getting older and care needs keep rising.
It's a great fit if you care about people, stay calm under pressure and want work that clearly makes a difference. You can start with a support worker certificate, become an LPN or registered nurse, or study a specialist degree, and every step opens the next one.
At a glance
Job outlook
Growing fast
Healthcare is projected to add more jobs than any other sector through 2034 as the population ages.
Median salary
$73,000
most between $35,000 and $200,000
Roles not requiring a degree
67%
across 166 occupations
Roles and settings
166
In hospitals, clinics, elder care and people's homes, on shifts and in teams.
Sources: O*NET, IPEDS / College Scorecard, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES)
Why Healthcare & Human Services?
The most in-demand work in the country, with a pathway at every level of study.
- The most roles of any industry
- Lots of ways in without a degree
- Even the entry-level roles pay well
- Work that matters to real people
Do you have any questions about Healthcare & Human Services? Just ask me!
Start chattingIndustry outlook
Growing fast
An aging population and Medicaid-funded home care mean healthcare is adding more jobs than any other industry, in every state.
A pathway for everyone
Start with a certificate in the field, do an LPN program, or study nursing, medicine or allied health in college.
Entry requirements
- Typical GPA range
- Not required for most programs; 3.0 – 3.5 GPA for degree pathways
- Prerequisites
- A background check for most roles; state licensure for nurses, physicians and other regulated professions.
- Pathways
- On-the-job work, college degrees, community college certificates, or apprenticeships.
- Duration
- Months to years, depending on the chosen pathway.
Learn more about Healthcare & Human Services
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Top healthcare & human services jobs
Based on program numbers, role specificity, growth, and relative pay.
Where to study healthcare & human services
Based on the number of matching programs each provider runs.
