Healthcare Programs
Allied health programs train students for clinical roles including CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomist, patient care tech, and more, typically in under 2 years.
Avg Salary
$32,143
Job Growth
+14%
BLS SOC
31-1131
Programs Tracked
18,965
Top Healthcare Schools
ABC Adult School
Cerritos, CA
Earnings
N/A
Cost/yr
$20K
Abcott Institute
Southfield, MI
Earnings
$33K
Cost/yr
$29K
Academia Medical Institute
Columbus, OH
Earnings
N/A
Cost/yr
$28K
Academy for Careers and Technology
Mullins, SC
Earnings
$47K
Cost/yr
$12K
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations
West Palm Beach, FL
Earnings
$47K
Cost/yr
$33K
Academy of Allied Health Careers
Chattanooga, TN
Earnings
N/A
Cost/yr
$14K
Academy of Careers and Technology
Beckley, WV
Earnings
$33K
Cost/yr
$11K
Academy of Natural Therapy Inc
Greeley, CO
Earnings
$26K
Cost/yr
N/A
Access Careers
Hempstead, NY
Earnings
$30K
Cost/yr
N/A
Access Careers-Islandia
Islandia, NY
Earnings
$30K
Cost/yr
N/A
What You Can Earn
Based on federal earnings data from 18,965 programs in this field.
Top-Earning Specializations
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
61 programs · 34 data points
Bioethics/Medical Ethics
234 programs · 6 data points
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
115 programs · 7 data points
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
2,027 programs · 2109 data points
Medicine
23 programs · 7 data points
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
215 programs · 29 data points
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1-year earnings after graduation)
Key Certifications
Common Programs
- CNA / Patient Care Tech
- Medical Assistant
- Phlebotomy
- Dental Assistant
- Surgical Tech
What Workers Say
r/MedicalCareersCommunity Consensus
Negative - Consensus is that MAs are underpaid relative to job demands. Best viewed as short-term entry point to healthcare, not long-term career without pursuing higher credentials.
Top Advice
- Good entry point into healthcare field
- Can advance to RN, PA, or NP with additional education
- Clinical support roles available for specialization
Watch Out For
- Major complaint: 'woefully undervalued' for responsibilities
- Low pay vs. stress levels (often less than restaurant work)
- Limited career advancement without additional degrees
Community-Recommended Certs
Sourced from community discussions · Not financial or career advice
Job Outlook
Among the fastest-growing sectors. Aging population and healthcare expansion drive relentless demand. Many roles offer employer-sponsored further education.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024
Earnings Snapshot
Real Salaries Reported
$38,000-$42,000 annually
Range: $17.59/hour (uncertified) - $21.44/hour (certified)
r/MedicalCareers community reports
Career Deep Dive
Healthcare Career Path
Day-to-day work, wages, advancement →
Browse All Healthcare SchoolsHealthcare: Frequently Asked Questions
What healthcare roles can I get with trade school training?+
Trade-length healthcare programs (6 months–2 years) can lead to roles including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), Phlebotomy Technician, Surgical Technician, Dental Assistant, and Medical Coding Specialist. These programs are much faster than a nursing degree (BSN) and lead to stable, in-demand careers.
How much do healthcare trade workers earn?+
Earnings vary by specialty: Medical Assistants earn a median of $42,000/year, Surgical Technicians $55,960, Phlebotomy Techs $40,000, and CNAs $38,130. These figures are for entry-level roles. Experienced techs in specialized settings like operating rooms or cardiac cath labs can earn considerably more.
What is the job outlook for healthcare support roles?+
Exceptionally strong. The BLS projects 14% growth for medical assistants through 2033, faster than almost any other occupation. An aging U.S. population, increased chronic disease management, and healthcare system expansion are all driving demand. Healthcare support roles are among the most recession-proof careers available.
Do healthcare trade programs require clinical hours?+
Yes. Most accredited healthcare programs include a clinical practicum component where students work in actual healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes) under supervision. These hours are required for national certification exams in most specialties and matter a lot for job placement after graduation.
What's the difference between CNA and Medical Assistant?+
CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants) work primarily in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health settings providing direct patient care (bathing, feeding, monitoring vitals). Medical Assistants work primarily in physician offices and clinics handling both clinical tasks (vitals, injections, blood draws) and administrative duties (scheduling, coding). MAs typically earn slightly more and have more varied duties.