Perspectives on hiring for hard-to-fill roles

Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing parts of the U.S. economy, and most of that growth isn’t in roles that require medical school or even a four-year degree. A lot of it is in certificate and associate-degree roles that you can train for in one to two years and start earning a real, stable income right away.

Here are five worth knowing about, with current wage and outlook data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 figures).

1. Medical Assistant

Medical assistants handle the clinical and administrative work that keeps a doctor’s office or clinic running — taking vitals, prepping patients, scheduling, and basic lab work. It’s one of the most common entry points into healthcare.

• Median annual wage: $45,690 (top 10% earn more than $59,310)
• Entry-level education: Certificate program
• Job growth (2025–35): 13% — much faster than average
• Annual openings: About 109,700 a year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

2. Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists draw and handle blood samples for tests, transfusions, and research — skilled, hands-on work you can train for in a matter of months.

• Median annual wage: $45,230 (top 10% earn more than $58,780)
• Entry-level education: Certificate program
• Job growth (2025–35): 7% — faster than average
• Annual openings: About 18,000 a year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We covered this one in more depth here: How to Become a Phlebotomist.

3. Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists prep operating rooms, sterilize instruments, and hand tools to surgeons during procedures. It’s a step deeper into clinical care than medical assisting, with pay to match.

• Median annual wage: $64,650 (top 10% earn more than $96,940)
• Entry-level education: Certificate or associate’s degree
• Job growth (2025–35): 5% — faster than average
• Annual openings: About 8,600 a year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

4. Physical Therapist Assistant

PT assistants work directly with patients on the exercises and treatments in their recovery plan, under a physical therapist’s supervision. It’s one of the best-paying roles on this list, and one of the fastest-growing.

• Median annual wage: $68,380 (top 10% earn more than $89,510)
• Entry-level education: Associate’s degree, plus licensure
• Job growth (2025–35): 23% — much faster than average
• Annual openings: About 24,900 a year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

5. Occupational Therapy Assistant

OT assistants help patients regain the everyday skills they need after an injury, surgery, or illness — dressing, cooking, returning to work. It requires an associate’s degree and licensure, and it’s the highest-paying role on this list.

• Median annual wage: $72,300 (top 10% earn more than $89,780)
• Entry-level education: Associate’s degree, plus licensure
• Job growth (2025–35): 21% — much faster than average

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

How to pick the right one

If you want the fastest way in, medical assistant or phlebotomy programs can have you working within months. If you want to get closer to direct patient care and don’t mind a longer runway, PT assistant and OT assistant both pay significantly more and require an associate’s degree and license. Surgical tech sits in between — more specialized than medical assisting, with a shorter path than the assistant roles.

Frequently asked questions

Do any of these require a bachelor’s degree? No — all five max out at an associate’s degree, and several only need a certificate.

Which pays the most to start? Occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist assistant have the highest medians, but both require the longest training path of the five.

Can I move up from one of these later? Often, yes. Many nurses, physician assistants, and other clinicians started in an entry role like these while completing further education.

Ready to start?

Healthcare employers need reliable people in these roles constantly. When you’re ready, browse open healthcare roles on the Essenti job board — new positions are added continuously.

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