The Healthcare Worker Shortage: Best Medical Careers to Enter in 2026
The U.S. healthcare worker shortage is creating unprecedented opportunities. Explore the best medical careers by salary, demand, and accessibility.
The United States is facing a healthcare worker shortage of historic proportions. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a deficit of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, and the nursing shortage is already acute in most states. An aging population, rising rates of chronic disease, and pandemic-era burnout have combined to create a supply-demand gap that the industry cannot close fast enough. For career seekers, this crisis represents one of the most compelling opportunities in the labor market.
Healthcare careers consistently rank among the highest on the RankMyCareer Career Health Score thanks to strong salaries, explosive growth projections, low AI automation risk, and exceptional job stability. If you are considering entering or transitioning into healthcare, 2026 is an ideal time. Here are the best medical careers to target, organized by the factors that matter most: demand, salary, and accessibility.
Healthcare Career Comparison
| Career | Median Salary | Growth Rate | Education Required | Entry Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | $120,000+ | 40% | Master's / DNP | 6-8 years |
| Physician Assistants | $126,000 | 27% | Master's degree | 6-7 years |
| Physical Therapists | $97,000 | 15% | Doctorate (DPT) | 7 years |
| Occupational Therapists | $93,000 | 14% | Master's degree | 6 years |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $89,000 | 19% | Master's degree | 6 years |
| Registered Nurses | $81,000 | 6% | Associate's / BSN | 2-4 years |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $81,000 | 10% | Associate's degree | 2 years |
| Radiologic Technologists | $65,000 | Steady | Associate's degree | 2 years |
| Respiratory Therapists | $62,000 | 13% | Associate's degree | 2 years |
| Licensed Practical Nurses | $55,000 | Steady | Postsecondary certificate | 1 year |
| Dental Hygienists | $81,000 | 7% | Associate's degree | 2-3 years |
| Medical Assistants | $38,000 | 14% | Postsecondary certificate | 1 year |
| Home Health Aides | $30,000 | 22% | High school diploma | Minimal |
The Scope of the Shortage
The numbers tell a stark story. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that healthcare occupations will add approximately 1.8 million new jobs over the 2022 to 2032 decade, growing nearly twice as fast as the average for all occupations. Meanwhile, roughly one-third of the current healthcare workforce is over 55 and approaching retirement. Rural communities and underserved urban areas are hit hardest, with some regions reporting wait times of months for primary care appointments.
This shortage is not limited to physicians. It spans the entire healthcare ecosystem, from advanced practice providers and therapists to technicians and aides. Every level of the healthcare workforce is strained, which means there are entry points for workers at every education level.
Top-Tier: Advanced Practice Providers
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners remain the single most in-demand healthcare career in 2026. With a projected growth rate exceeding 40 percent through 2032 and a median salary above $120,000, NPs offer an extraordinary combination of compensation and job security. In over half of U.S. states, nurse practitioners now have full practice authority, meaning they can diagnose, treat, and prescribe independently without physician oversight. This autonomy, combined with the primary care physician shortage, ensures that NP demand will remain strong for the foreseeable future.
The path to becoming an NP requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing followed by a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Many programs are available part-time or online, making this career accessible to working nurses looking to advance.
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants enjoy similarly impressive growth at approximately 27 percent, with median salaries around $126,000. PAs are unique in their ability to switch specialties without additional residency training, giving them exceptional career flexibility. A PA can move from emergency medicine to dermatology to orthopedic surgery over the course of a career, following demand and personal interest.
PA programs typically require a bachelor's degree and healthcare experience, followed by a roughly 27-month master's program. The return on investment is among the highest in all of healthcare given the relatively short training period and six-figure salary.
High Demand: Therapy and Rehabilitation
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists are critical for an aging population dealing with mobility issues, post-surgical recovery, and chronic pain management. The BLS projects 15 percent growth, and median salaries sit around $97,000. The work is inherently hands-on and interpersonal, making it one of the most AI-resistant careers in the medical field.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists help patients regain the ability to perform daily activities after injury, illness, or disability. With 14 percent projected growth and median pay around $93,000, OT offers strong stability. Demand is particularly high in geriatric care, pediatric development, and mental health rehabilitation.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders across all age groups. This field is projected to grow 19 percent, driven by increased awareness of childhood speech disorders and growing demand for stroke rehabilitation services. Median salary is approximately $89,000.
Critical Demand: Nursing and Bedside Care
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses form the backbone of the healthcare system, and the shortage is felt most acutely here. The BLS projects 6 percent growth, which translates to roughly 177,000 new positions annually when combined with replacement needs from retirements and attrition. Median salary is approximately $81,000, with significant variation by specialty and geography. Critical care, emergency, and operating room nurses command premium compensation.
The fastest path to an RN license is through an Associate Degree in Nursing program, which takes roughly two years. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for nurses pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing while working, making this a financially accessible career path.
Licensed Practical Nurses
Licensed practical nurses provide basic patient care under the supervision of RNs and physicians. LPN programs typically take about one year and lead to median salaries around $55,000. For workers seeking the fastest entry point into healthcare, LPN certification is an excellent starting point with clear advancement pathways to RN and beyond.
Growing Fast: Diagnostic and Technical Roles
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists treat patients with breathing disorders ranging from asthma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Demand surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained elevated. The BLS projects 13 percent growth, with median pay around $62,000. An associate's degree is the minimum entry requirement, making this one of the faster paths to a stable healthcare career.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound equipment to create images for medical diagnoses. Growth is projected at 10 percent, and median salaries are approximately $81,000. The role requires strong technical skills and clinical knowledge, and the hands-on nature of the work provides strong insulation from AI automation.
Radiologic Technologists
Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. With median salaries around $65,000 and steady demand driven by aging demographics, this role offers a solid foundation for a healthcare career. Many radiologic technologists go on to specialize in MRI, CT, or mammography for higher compensation.
Accessible Entry Points
Medical Assistants
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks in physicians' offices, hospitals, and outpatient facilities. This role is one of the most accessible entry points into healthcare, requiring only a postsecondary certificate that takes about one year to complete. Median pay is approximately $38,000, but the role provides invaluable clinical experience for workers planning to advance to nursing, PA, or other higher-level positions.
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
Home health and personal care aides have the highest absolute number of projected job openings of any healthcare occupation. As more patients opt for in-home care over institutional settings, demand for aides is projected to grow 22 percent. Entry requirements are minimal, often just a high school diploma and on-the-job training, making this the most accessible healthcare career available.
Salary Growth Trends in Healthcare
One of the most significant developments in 2026 is accelerating salary growth across healthcare occupations. The worker shortage has given healthcare professionals genuine leverage in compensation negotiations. Sign-on bonuses, student loan repayment assistance, and accelerated pay scales have become standard recruitment tools for hospitals and health systems. Nurse practitioner salaries have increased roughly 15 percent over the past three years in many markets, and travel nursing contracts continue to offer premium pay for flexibility.
How to Choose the Right Healthcare Career
The best healthcare career for you depends on several factors: how much education you are willing to pursue, whether you prefer direct patient care or technical work, your tolerance for physical demands and irregular hours, and your long-term salary goals. Here is a simple framework:
| Tier | Education Investment | Careers | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest Entry | Under 2 years | Medical Assistant, Home Health Aide, Licensed Practical Nurse, Respiratory Therapist | $30,000 - $62,000 |
| Mid-Level Investment | 2-4 years | Registered Nurse, Radiologic Technologist, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Dental Hygienist | $65,000 - $81,000 |
| Advanced Practice | 5+ years | Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist | $93,000 - $126,000 |
The Bottom Line
The healthcare worker shortage is not a temporary blip. It is a structural reality driven by demographics that will persist for decades. For career seekers, this translates into exceptional job security, rising salaries, and multiple entry points at every education level. Whether you are a high school student planning ahead, a working professional considering a career change, or a healthcare worker looking to advance, the data overwhelmingly supports investing in a medical career.
Explore detailed career profiles for every healthcare occupation on RankMyCareer, including salary breakdowns, AI automation risk scores, growth projections, and regional demand data. The shortage is your opportunity. The question is which healthcare path fits your skills, interests, and goals.