7 high-paying medical jobs that don't require MD

Alyssa Rege -

Health profession programs are the second-most popular field of study among college undergraduates and made up 12 percent of degrees conferred in 2016, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics cited by U.S. News & World Report.

Many students searching for careers in healthcare seek out medical school. For the 2018-19 academic year, aspiring physicians often submitted an average of 16 applications to various medical schools nationwide, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. However, the cost of attending medical school is rising, with tuition costing anywhere between $18,000 and $66,000 per year.

U.S. News compiled a list of seven high-paying medical jobs that do not require an MD or DO degree. The publication noted that demand for workers to fill these types of jobs will exceed that for physicians during the next several years.

Here are seven high-paying medical jobs that do not require a medical degree, along with median salary and required education:

1. Clinical lab technician (Associate's degree) — $51,770 per year
2. Registered nurse (Bachelor's or Associate's degree) — $70,000
3. Speech-language pathologist (Master's degree) — $76,610
4. Occupational therapist (Master's degree) — $83,200
5. Nurse midwife (Master's degree) — $100,590
6. Nurse practitioner (Master's degree) — $103,880
7. Physician assistant (Master's degree) — $104,860

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