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Career Discovery

PathFinder

Explore 22 healthcare career paths, compare training options, and find the role that fits your strengths before, during, and after school.

Explorer

Compare Careers

Choose up to three careers to see their training, pay, responsibilities, and growth opportunities side by side.

Compare	Medical Assistant	Surgical Technologist
Median pay	$46k median	$65k median
Education	Certificate or diploma	Accredited surgical technology program
Training duration	Varies by program	Varies by program
Certification	CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA	CST or TS-C
Responsibilities	Patient intake, vitals, EHR, injections, scheduling, and clinical support.	Prepare sterile fields, pass instruments, and support surgical teams.
Work setting	Primary care offices, specialty physician practices, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, community health centers	Hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgery centers, specialty surgical centers, labor and delivery operating rooms
Career outlook	Strong outpatient growth	Stable OR demand
Advancement	Lead MA, clinic manager, nursing pathway	First assistant, OR educator, surgical services leadership

U.S. career information is illustrative; pay, credential requirements, and timelines vary by state and employer. Check official state licensing boards and the BLS before making decisions.

Approximate U.S. annual median pay based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Earnings, requirements, and job titles vary by location and employer. Some specialized roles use the closest BLS occupational category. View source.

CVT$74k median

Cardiovascular Technologist

Perform EKG, stress, vascular, or cardiac imaging studies and assist with procedures.

Education: Associate degree or accredited certificate
Certification: CCI or ARDMS credential by specialty
Outlook: Growing cardiac diagnostic need
Skills: Cardiac anatomy, equipment operation, calm communication

CNA$42k median

Certified Nursing Assistant

Assist with daily living, mobility, vital signs, comfort, and care-team reporting.

Education: State-approved nursing assistant program
Certification: State CNA competency exam
Outlook: Ongoing long-term care demand
Skills: Compassion, observation, safe transfers

CHW$52k median

Community Health Worker

Connect people with care, explain health information, address barriers, and advocate for community needs.

Education: Certificate, community program, or employer training
Certification: State credential where required
Outlook: Growing community-care coordination need
Skills: Trust building, cultural awareness, resource navigation

DA$48k median

Dental Assistant

Chairside assisting, sterilization, radiographs, and patient education.

Education: Certificate or employer training
Certification: CDA varies by state
Outlook: Steady dental practice demand
Skills: Organization, communication

US$97k median

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Use ultrasound equipment to capture images and help physicians evaluate organs, blood flow, and pregnancy.

Education: Associate degree or accredited certificate
Certification: ARDMS, ARRT(S), or CCI
Outlook: Strong diagnostic imaging growth
Skills: Anatomy, patient positioning, image analysis

DT$50k median

Dialysis Technician

Prepare dialysis equipment, monitor treatments, document vitals, and support patients with kidney disease.

Education: Certificate program or employer training
Certification: CCHT, CHT, or CCNT after eligibility requirements
Outlook: Steady kidney-care demand
Skills: Equipment safety, observation, patient support

EMT$47k median

Emergency Medical Technician

Respond to emergencies, assess patients, and provide prehospital care.

Education: EMT program
Certification: NREMT and state credential
Outlook: Ongoing emergency response need
Skills: Calm under pressure, rapid assessment

HIT$51k median

Health Information Technician

Maintain accurate health records, code diagnoses, protect privacy, and support data quality.

Education: Certificate or associate degree
Certification: RHIT, CCS, or CCA depending on role
Outlook: Growing digital health data needs
Skills: Organization, coding, privacy, data accuracy

LPN$64k median

Licensed Practical Nurse

Medication administration, wound care, vitals, and patient monitoring.

Education: Practical nursing program
Certification: NCLEX-PN
Outlook: Broad care setting demand
Skills: Clinical judgment, compassion

MA$46k median

Medical Assistant

Patient intake, vitals, EHR, injections, scheduling, and clinical support.

Education: Certificate or diploma
Certification: CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA
Outlook: Strong outpatient growth
Skills: Communication, accuracy, patient care

MC$51k median

Medical Coder

Translate clinical documentation into standardized diagnosis and procedure codes for billing and reporting.

Education: Certificate or associate degree
Certification: CPC, CCS, or CCA
Outlook: Stable reimbursement and compliance demand
Skills: Medical terminology, analysis, accuracy

MLT$63k median

Medical Laboratory Technician

Analyze blood, tissue, and body-fluid specimens and validate results used in diagnosis.

Education: Associate degree in medical laboratory technology
Certification: ASCP MLT or AMT MLT
Outlook: Reliable diagnostic laboratory demand
Skills: Laboratory technique, precision, troubleshooting

OTA$71k median

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Help patients develop daily living and workplace skills.

Education: Associate degree
Certification: NBCOT COTA
Outlook: Strong rehab demand
Skills: Creativity, coaching, empathy

PCT$42k median

Patient Care Technician

Support bedside care, collect specimens, perform EKGs, check vitals, and assist mobility.

Education: Certificate program or employer training
Certification: CPCT/A or state-specific credential
Outlook: Steady hospital support demand
Skills: Bedside care, teamwork, time management

RX$46k median

Pharmacy Technician

Prepare prescriptions, manage inventory, process claims, and support medication safety.

Education: Certificate, employer training, or associate pathway
Certification: CPhT through PTCB or NHA; rules vary by state
Outlook: Consistent retail and health-system demand
Skills: Accuracy, calculations, customer service

PH$45k median

Phlebotomist

Collect blood specimens, label samples, and reassure patients.

Education: Short certificate program
Certification: CPT or equivalent
Outlook: Consistent lab demand
Skills: Manual dexterity, patient comfort

PTA$69k median

Physical Therapist Assistant

Carry out treatment plans, mobility exercises, and patient education.

Education: Associate degree
Certification: State licensure
Outlook: Strong rehab demand
Skills: Body mechanics, encouragement

XR$81k median

Radiologic Technologist

Capture diagnostic images while protecting patient safety.

Education: Associate degree
Certification: ARRT
Outlook: Strong imaging demand
Skills: Positioning, radiation safety

RN$98k median

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, coordinate care, educate families, and advocate.

Education: ADN or BSN
Certification: NCLEX-RN
Outlook: High demand across care settings
Skills: Judgment, leadership, communication

RT$82k median

Respiratory Therapist

Assess breathing, manage oxygen therapy, and support ventilators.

Education: Associate degree
Certification: CRT or RRT
Outlook: Growing cardiopulmonary need
Skills: Critical thinking, physiology

SP$48k median

Sterile Processing Technician

Decontaminate, inspect, assemble, sterilize, and track instruments.

Education: Certificate or employer training
Certification: CRCST or CSPDT
Outlook: High demand in hospitals
Skills: Detail orientation, infection control

ST$65k median

Surgical Technologist

Prepare sterile fields, pass instruments, and support surgical teams.

Education: Accredited surgical technology program
Certification: CST or TS-C
Outlook: Stable OR demand
Skills: Sterile technique, focus, teamwork

Career Snapshot

Surgical Technologist

Prepare sterile fields, pass instruments, and support surgical teams.

$65k medianMedian salaryCST or TS-CCommon certificationFirst assistant, OR educator, surgical services leadershipGrowth pathAccredited surgical technology programTypical trainingHospital operating rooms, outpatient surgery centers, specialty surgical centers, labor and delivery operating roomsWhere you may workSterile technique, focus, teamworkA strong fit for