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In the dynamic world of healthcare, allied health professionals play an essential role in diagnosing, evaluating and treating acute and chronic diseases and delivering healthcare and related services nationwide. The extensive allied health workforce encompasses a broad range of non-nursing, non-physician roles, from radiologic technologists and respiratory therapists to dietitians and occupational therapists. Their expertise spans various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories and even community health initiatives.
Many allied health specialties require less time in the classroom than doctors and nurses but still offer a lucrative healthcare career, and some pay more than others. In this article, we dive into the projected top 10 highest-paying allied health specialties for 2024 based on current travel salary data on Vivian Health. Besides the financial rewards associated with these professions, we also highlight their impact within the healthcare field based on their job responsibilities. Whether you’re an aspiring healthcare professional or a seasoned practitioner looking to advance your career, this guide offers valuable insights into some of the most lucrative career paths in allied healthcare.
Increased Demand for Allied Health Workers
As the healthcare sector continually evolves, demand for skilled allied health professionals also surges, potentially increasing job opportunities and wages in certain fields. Increased demand for allied health workers is fueled by a combination of factors, including an aging population, technological advancements in healthcare and a growing focus on preventative health measures.
The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) projects shortages in many crucial allied health fields through 2036. The NCHWA anticipates shortages of respiratory therapists, pharmacists and physical therapists, among others. Between 2021 and 2036, Bureau of Health Workforce projections indicate an increased demand of 23% for allied health workers overall, but the degree of increase varies by specialty. The following table indicates the highest increases by specialty during this 15-year span, leading these and other specialties to be among the fastest-growing healthcare careers.
| Allied Health Specialty | Increased % of Demand | Total # Required |
| Dietetic Technicians | 24% | 5,160 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 23% | 29,590 |
| Cardiovascular Techs | 23% | 12,990 |
| Recreational Therapists | 23% | 4,320 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 19% | 13,830 |
| Ophthalmic Technicians | 19% | 12,950 |
| Physical Therapists | 18% | 51,050 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 18% | 8,320 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 15% | 15,060 |
| Medical Assistants | 14% | 99,980 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 14% | 50,750 |
| Pharmacists | 14% | 49,010 |
| Phlebotomists | 14% | 17,410 |
| Surgical Technologists | 14% | 15,790 |
| MRI Technologists | 14% | 5,250 |
| Medical & Clinical Lab Technicians | 13% | 20,330 |
| Radiologic Technologists | 9% | 19,870 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | 9% | 1,570 |
Source: Bureau of Health Workforce
Projected Top 10 Allied Health Specialty Salaries in 2024
The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions has previously quoted estimates indicating that allied health professionals make up as much as 60% of the healthcare workforce in the nation. While increased demand doesn’t always correlate to higher wages, an abundant need for allied health workers in a specific field may give you some bargaining power regarding salary negotiations.
Salaries of allied health professionals vary based on specialty, education, experience, facility and location. Based on the highest average travel salary by specialty over the last year on Vivian, the following 10 allied health specialties should be among the highest paid in the upcoming year. However, travel rates can fluctuate weekly, so we also include current average hourly rates for staff positions within each specialty, with annual salaries calculated on a 40-hour workweek, for further salary analysis.
The list also features education requirements to evaluate the time required to enter each field. Plus, relevant professional certifications to potentially help enhance your salary and career in your chosen field to round out your comparison of each allied health specialty.
1. Dosimetrist
- Education Requirements: Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences, radiologic sciences, medical dosimetry or a related field
- Relevant Certifications: CMD
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $3,299
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $5,200
- Average Hourly Rate: $44.05
- Average Annual Salary: $91,624
- Highest Hourly Rate: $62
Medical dosimetrists specialize in calculating radiation treatments to deliver the most lethal dose of radiation to precise parts of a patient’s body while promoting the fewest side effects to their healthy organs. As an analytical member of the radiation oncology team, they collaborate with radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiation therapists to create radiation plans to treat cancerous diseases utilizing internal and external radiation sources. A medical dosimetrist has an overall knowledge of anatomy, math, physics, and radiobiology and uses specialized computer software for treatment planning to avoid excess toxicity.
2. Pathologists’ Assistant
- Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a life science and a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program resulting in a master’s degree
- Relevant Certifications: ASCP Certification
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,870
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $4,316
- Average Hourly Rate: $54.04
- Average Annual Salary: $112,403
- Highest Hourly Rate: $76
Pathologists’ assistants are highly trained allied health professionals who play a crucial role in the diagnosis of diseases. Working under the direction and supervision of a pathologist, they prepare and examine surgical specimens and perform autopsies. Their meticulous work in dissecting tissue samples and preparing them for analysis is vital for accurate diagnoses, contributing to effective patient treatment plans. By assisting pathologists in these complex tasks, they ensure a high standard of care and efficiency in the laboratory, making them an indispensable part of the healthcare team.
3. Pharmacist
- Education Requirements: Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD
- Relevant Certifications: BCPPS
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,802
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $4,162
- Average Hourly Rate: $72.48
- Average Annual Salary: $150,758
- Highest Hourly Rate: $100
Pharmacists specialize in preparing and dispensing prescription medications and offering their expertise in safely using these drugs. They’re also involved in all aspects of pharmaceutical care and the safe, rational and cost-effective use of prescription drugs. However, daily duties can vary based on their state of practice and work setting. For example, responsibilities within community pharmacy settings primarily include dispensing medications to customers, providing prescription consultations and answering any questions customers might have. Alternately, duties in clinical environments may consist of assessing, initiating, monitoring and modifying patients’ medications to ensure safety and effectiveness while collaborating with other healthcare providers.
4. Perfusionist
- Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and completion of an Accredited Perfusion Technology Program
- Relevant Certifications: CCP
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,750
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $6,901
- Average Hourly Rate: $28.66
- Average Annual Salary: $59,613
- Highest Hourly Rate: $91
Perfusionists, also called cardiac perfusionists or cardiopulmonary perfusionists, specialize in operating and recording the output of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, also known as a heart-lung machine. They’re responsible for ensuring essential oxygen-rich blood reaches patients’ brains and other vital organs during open-heart surgeries while providing surgeons with a blood-free heart throughout a cardiac operation. Perfusionists regulate blood flow and temperature during surgeries, monitor blood and oxygen circulation and analyze blood chemistry throughout procedures to make any necessary adjustments.
5. Cardiac Catheterization Lab Technologist
- Education Requirements: Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Science degree in cardiovascular technology
- Relevant Certifications: RCIS
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,732
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $4,642
- Average Hourly Rate: $38.18
- Average Annual Salary: $79,414
- Highest Hourly Rate: $57
Cardiac catheterization laboratory technologists are specialized allied health professionals who work in cath labs and play a pivotal role in diagnosing and treating heart conditions. They specialize in running tests to determine heart health, primarily performing cardiac catheterizations in which they thread a catheter through a patient’s blood vessel to their heart to determine whether there’s a blockage. They also perform procedures like angioplasties, stent insertions and pacemaker implantations. Their expertise is crucial in ensuring patient safety and the success of intricate cardiac interventions. By providing essential support, they’re integral to advancing cardiac care and improving patient outcomes.
6. Electrophysiology Technician
- Education Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree
- Relevant Certifications: RCES or RCIS
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,731
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $4,982
- Average Hourly Rate: $28.66
- Average Annual Salary: $59,613
- Highest Hourly Rate: $45
Electrophysiology technicians, also called cardiac electrophysiology technicians or EP techs, specialize in helping diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias. As a subspecialty of cardiology, electrophysiology is a growing field within healthcare science and therapy. EP techs prepare patients for procedures, ensure all equipment and instruments are in proper working order and perform diagnostic electrophysiology procedures and interventions, like electrocardiograms. They monitor recordings during procedures and help analyze and interpret the data collected, passing on vital information to the patient’s doctor or specialist. EP techs may also assist physicians with installing and implementing pacemakers and other permanent devices related to cardiac health.
7. Interventional Radiology Technologist
- Education Requirements: Associate degree / Bachelor’s degree usually required
- Relevant Certifications: CI / CV / VI
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,701
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $4,097
- Average Hourly Rate: $51.66
- Average Annual Salary: $107,453
- Highest Hourly Rate: $69
Interventional radiology technologists, or IR techs, fulfill a vital sub-specialty within the radiology field, operating advanced imaging equipment and ensuring precise execution of procedures. They specialize in using minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat disease in nearly every organ. IR techs also assist physicians with interventional procedures that result in reduced risk, pain and recovery time compared to traditional surgeries. They may assist in angioplasty, clot embolization, stent placement and various other procedures. Their skills are vital for accurately targeting treatment areas, with the overall goal of using the least invasive techniques available to improve patient care and outcomes.
8. Cardiac Sonographer
- Education Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree and a cardiac sonographer or an echocardiography certificate program
- Relevant Certifications: RCS / RDCS-AE / RDCS-PE / RDCS-FE
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,700
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $6,264
- Average Hourly Rate: $38.06
- Average Annual Salary: $79,165
- Highest Hourly Rate: $58
Cardiac sonographers, also known as echocardiography technicians, are specialized healthcare professionals who use ultrasound technology to create images of the heart. These images are crucial to cardiologists as they diagnose and monitor heart diseases, such as cardiac dysfunction and heart valve problems. Besides expertly operating ultrasound equipment, cardiac sonographers also conduct tests and prepare reports for physician analysis. Overall, their work is essential in the non-invasive assessment and monitoring of heart health, helping guide treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.
9. Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonographer
- Education Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography
- Relevant Certifications: RDMS-OB/GYN
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,700
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $4,672
- Average Hourly Rate: $38.06
- Average Annual Salary: $79,165
- Highest Hourly Rate: $59
Obstetrics/Gynecology sonographers are skilled allied health professionals who play a vital role in women’s health. Using ultrasound technology, they capture images of the female reproductive system and monitor fetal development during pregnancy. Their expertise is crucial in detecting, diagnosing and managing conditions related to female reproductive health and pregnancy. By providing obstetricians and gynecologists with detailed images, they assist them in making informed decisions about prenatal care and treatment options. An OB/GYN sonographer’s compassionate, specialized approach is essential in ensuring the health and well-being of expectant mothers and their babies, making them indispensable members of the healthcare team.
10. Cardiovascular Technologist
- Education Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree
- Relevant Certifications: CST
- Average Weekly Travel Rate: $2,689
- Highest Weekly Travel Rate: $5,620
- Average Hourly Rate: $50.90
- Average Annual Salary: $105,872
- Highest Hourly Rate: $73
Cardiovascular technologists assist physicians in diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel problems. They perform complex tests to diagnose heart disease, monitor patients’ blood pressure and heart rates using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment and alert physicians to any abnormalities found during testing. Cardiovascular technologists also assist physicians in conducting cardiac catheterizations, echocardiograms and other procedures and operate specialized equipment to monitor heart function and circulation. Cardiovascular technologists play a significant role in enhancing patient care and aiding in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular diseases by providing critical support during diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions.
Earn Higher Pay through Certification
Professional certification may be required as part of the licensure process in states that require allied health professionals within certain fields to become licensed before practicing, but allied health certifications may be voluntary. Earning certifications can open the door to higher-paying allied health jobs, as many employers prefer to hire certified allied health professionals.
Explore allied health certifications and apply for a position within one of these high-paying allied health specialties on Vivian Health to take your healthcare career to the next level today.
Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in July 2021 and has been updated annually to reflect the most recent data. The allied health specialties currently listed were the highest-paying as of this publication.
How do you find accurate salary depictions for the various allied health fields? More importantly, how can the various allied health specialities petition for more recognition and higher pay standards? That’s another worthwhile article that no one has really addressed yet.
Hello and thanks for reaching out! For our top 10 highest-paying allied health specialties posts, we use the average travel salaries from jobs posted on our marketplace by staffing agencies for healthcare facilities nationwide. You might find this article interesting, which discusses the need to recognize and support allied health professionals. The topic you present is an important one that we’ll definitely consider for an upcoming post. We appreciate the suggestion!
What about Central sterile technicians. Without them who will clean,assemble, and steriliz surgical equipment.
Hello Hamilton and thanks for reaching out. We looked at the average wages of numerous allied health specialties and listed the 10 with the highest average salaries over the last year. During this period, central sterile technicians had a lower annual wage on average than the 10 specialties listed, so they didn’t make the list. However, Vivian believes all healthcare professionals are vital to the healthcare industry, no matter their role.
I made a mistake with a BP med because I didn’t see the guideline in small corner print. His BP was 6 points under the 100 systolic mark. I won’t go into all the things that transpired even with the doctor reducing the dose that made me think he really wanted the pt to get that med, but his BP dropped, a “new grad” RN somehow became aware of the BP and called the MSET team without my knowledge. Next thing I knew, my manager said I needed to write what happened and then leave my badge and go home. The pt went to ICU as a monitoring precaution but was not harmed. I was completely cut off from any access to my schedule, benefit sites, email… everything. I was fired within days and have been beating myself up ever since. Yes, things happen. I’m still trying to recover emotionally from the way I was treated.
My question is, should I keep this to myself in future job applications or be honest? I hate losing those 9 months in the hospital as experience.
Hello Tracey and thanks for reaching out. Specific situations such as this are often best described in person. You may prefer to discuss it with your recruiter as you complete future job applications, or with the hiring manager as you interview for new positions.
What about operation theater and anesthesia technologist.
Hello Anziya and thank you for reaching out. When this was written, we looked at the average wages of numerous allied health professionals and listed the 10 with the highest average salaries based on the data available. At that time, operating theatre techs and anesthesia techs had a lower average wage than the 10 professions listed. Wage data fluctuates based on demand and many other factors, so when we update this blog later this year, the occupations listed will likely change based on the current data. However, Vivian believes all healthcare professionals are vital to the healthcare industry, no matter their role.
Audiologists are not listed. Why not?
Hello Dr. Sobel, and thanks for reaching out. When this was written, we looked at the average wages of numerous allied health professionals and listed the 10 with the highest average salaries based on the data available. At that time, audiologists had a lower annual wage on average than the 10 professions listed. When we update this blog later this year, the occupations listed may change based on the current data. However, Vivian believes all healthcare professionals are vital to the healthcare industry, no matter their role.
What about Respiratory Therapist that is currently holding the Frontline of healthcare together? Responsibilities in NICU, ICU, STEP DOWN ICU, ED and Floors include Intubations, Ventilation, ABG, Patient ventilator placement and HFV just to name a few.
What about Respiratory therapy?
There is no position in this world can beat RN! With an RN, you can branch out in anything! jobs are plenty, and pay is great! if you are young and smart, don’t beat the brushes, go straight to Medical school, if not, just go into RN. This is the only field can open billiards of doors if you out work in it. Very rewarding!
Why are the Respiratory Therapists always forgotten?