Healthcare support occupations: pay, outlook, and education
Official pay, projected growth, openings, and entry requirements for 831 U.S. occupations. Filter, sort, and open any career for state and metro pay, skills, programs, and licenses.
17 occupations. Wages Verified data Growth and openings Official projection
| Occupation | Median wage | Change 2025 to 2035 | Openings per year | Employment | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational therapy assistants SOC 31-2011 | $72,300 | +21.5% | 8,100 | 52,200 | Associate's degree |
| Physical therapist assistants SOC 31-2021 | $68,380 | +23.0% | 18,500 | 114,100 | Associate's degree |
| Massage therapists SOC 31-9011 | $58,450 | +15.3% | 20,400 | 155,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Healthcare support workers, all other SOC 31-9099 | $48,430 | +4.8% | 14,100 | 113,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Dental assistants SOC 31-9091 | $48,070 | +7.4% | 53,000 | 388,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Medical equipment preparers SOC 31-9093 | $47,700 | +10.8% | 10,700 | 79,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Medical assistants SOC 31-9092 | $45,690 | +12.9% | 109,700 | 833,900 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Phlebotomists SOC 31-9097 | $45,230 | +6.8% | 18,000 | 143,900 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Psychiatric aides SOC 31-1133 | $44,910 | +1.9% | 4,900 | 36,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Nursing assistants SOC 31-1131 | $42,260 | +2.6% | 196,200 | 1,505,900 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Medical transcriptionists SOC 31-9094 | $40,410 | -4.4% | 6,200 | 42,000 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Occupational therapy aides SOC 31-2012 | $39,160 | +3.6% | 600 | 4,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Orderlies SOC 31-1132 | $38,290 | +4.0% | 7,200 | 52,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers SOC 31-9096 | $38,150 | +9.1% | 23,200 | 132,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Pharmacy aides SOC 31-9095 | $37,680 | -0.7% | 5,100 | 39,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Home health and personal care aides SOC 31-1120 | $35,800 | +18.1% | 760,500 | 4,677,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Physical therapist aides SOC 31-2022 | $35,240 | +4.0% | 6,400 | 49,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Employment is from BLS Employment Projections (2025) when OEWS does not publish it. Median wage is the OEWS May 2025 national median annual wage; hourly medians are shown where BLS publishes hourly wages only.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.