Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners (all other) represent a specialized group of healthcare professionals who play an important role in patient care and clinical services. Nationally, there are about 41,000 people employed in this occupation, with a national median annual salary of $113,730. The field is projected to grow by 2.0%, with an estimated 2,000 annual openings, indicating a steady flow of opportunities for those entering or advancing in this path. The work draws on a mix of scientific knowledge and strong people skills, reflected in top skills such as interpersonal abilities, adaptability, problem solving and decision making, and science. Success in this career also relies on being detail oriented, using critical and analytical thinking, and communicating effectively through speaking, listening, writing, and reading. For individuals interested in a healthcare route that typically requires graduate-level preparation and emphasizes both technical and interpersonal strengths, this occupation can be a compelling option to explore.
This occupation offers a strong earnings profile, with a national median annual salary of $113,730. Pay varies meaningfully by location. Among top states, New York shows a median salary of $127,360 and California $125,550, both above the national median, while Washington and Massachusetts offer $103,380 and $106,060, and Colorado comes in at $101,570. At the metro level, several areas stand out for higher compensation. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro reports a median salary of $166,230, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA have median salaries of $140,730 and $139,570, respectively. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers $136,640, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH shows $107,060. These differences suggest that location choice can significantly influence earning potential within this career path.
Nationally, healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners (all other) account for about 41,000 jobs. The occupation is projected to see 2.0% employment growth, with around 2,000 annual openings. This combination suggests ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals seeking role changes or geographic moves. The presence of specific growth figures across multiple states and metro areas—each also listed at 2.0%—indicates a consistent projected rate of expansion in key markets. While the data does not break down openings by region, the overall annual openings figure, together with the national employment base, points to a labor market that continues to need these practitioners over time. For students and career changers, the combination of defined employment levels, a clear growth projection, and steady openings can help when planning education timelines and job searches in this field.
Location plays a significant role in both opportunity and pay for this occupation. Among states, California has an opportunity score of 67.38 with a median salary of $125,550 and employment of 1,600. Massachusetts and New York follow closely in opportunity score at 65.87 and 65.78, with median salaries of $106,060 and $127,360 and employment of 600 and 750, respectively. Colorado and Washington round out the top five states, each with 600–650 employed, median salaries just above $100,000, and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27) with median salaries around $140,000. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV stands out with a median salary of $166,230 and the largest reported employment (5,970). San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer substantial employment and competitive pay, providing several strong geographic options.
The typical education requirement for this occupation is a master’s degree, signaling that it is a graduate-level healthcare career path. This level of preparation aligns with the advanced skills highlighted for success in the role. Strong interpersonal skills and customer service abilities support direct work with patients and other healthcare professionals. Adaptability and being detail oriented are important for managing complex situations and information. Science is a key skill area, reflecting the need for a solid grounding in scientific concepts. Problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, help practitioners evaluate information and make sound clinical judgments. Communication is also central: writing and reading skills support documentation and information processing, while speaking and listening skills underpin effective discussions with patients, families, and colleagues. Together, the master’s degree requirement and this skill set indicate a career that blends advanced academic training with high-level analytical and people-focused capabilities.
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