Careers

Best Paying Medical Tech Jobs

Updated on February 26, 2024
Author Frank Gogol
Written by
Frank Gogol
Author Frank Gogol
Written by
Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

See all posts Frank Gogol

The medical field is vast and varied, offering a range of career paths that blend healthcare with cutting-edge technology. In this sector, certain roles stand out not just for the critical services they provide but also for the lucrative compensation they offer. Below, we explore the top ten best-paying jobs in medical technology, detailing each position’s responsibilities, average salary, job description, and required education.

Anesthesiologist

  • Average Salary: $302,970 per year
  • Job Description: Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in pain management before, during, and after surgical procedures. They are responsible for administering anesthesia and monitoring patients’ vital signs to ensure safety and comfort.
  • Responsibilities: Assessing patients’ medical histories, administering anesthesia, monitoring patient vital signs during procedures, and managing pain post-operation.
  • Required Education: Completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, and a 4-year residency in anesthesiology.

Physician/Surgeon

  • Average Salary: $229,300 per year
  • Job Description: Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
  • Responsibilities: Examining patients, prescribing treatments, and performing surgeries.
  • Required Education: A bachelor’s degree, a Medical Degree (MD), and completion of a residency program, which typically lasts 3-7 years depending on the specialty.

Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

  • Average Salary: $203,090 per year
  • Job Description: Nurse Anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide anesthesia and related care before, during, and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures.
  • Responsibilities: Performing patient assessments, administering anesthesia, monitoring post-anesthesia recovery.
  • Required Education: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), at least one year of critical care experience, and a Master’s or Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited nurse anesthesia program.

Pediatrician

  • Average Salary: $190,350 per year
  • Job Description: Pediatricians specialize in the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. They focus on preventive health maintenance and medical care for children with acute or chronic conditions.
  • Responsibilities: Conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and providing health and wellness advice.
  • Required Education: A bachelor’s degree, a Medical Degree (MD), and completion of a pediatric residency program.

Dentist

  • Average Salary: $159,530 per year
  • Job Description: Dentists diagnose and treat dental issues and help patients develop better oral hygiene regimens. They clean teeth, correct bite issues, perform surgeries and extractions, and perform other duties to ensure that the teeth and mouth are healthy.
  • Responsibilities: Examining teeth and gums for issues, performing surgical procedures on teeth, bone, and soft tissues of the oral cavity.
  • Required Education: A bachelor’s degree followed by a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) from an accredited dental program.

Podiatrist

  • Average Salary: $148,720 per year
  • Job Description: Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. They diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and perform surgery involving the lower extremities.
  • Responsibilities: Diagnosing foot and ankle conditions, performing surgical procedures, prescribing treatments.
  • Required Education: A bachelor’s degree followed by a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from an accredited college of podiatric medicine.

Chief Nursing Officer

  • Average Salary: $140,763 per year
  • Job Description: Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) are top executives within healthcare organizations responsible for overseeing the nursing staff and ensuring that patients receive high-quality care.
  • Responsibilities: Developing nursing policies, overseeing patient care, managing nursing budgets.
  • Required Education: A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is typically required, with many CNOs also holding a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a PhD in a related field.

Pharmacist

  • Average Salary: $132,750 per year
  • Job Description: Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They also may conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on healthy lifestyles.
  • Responsibilities: Checking prescriptions for accuracy, ensuring drug therapies are safe for patients, providing immunizations.
  • Required Education: A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited pharmacy program.

PhysicianAssistant

  • Average Salary: $126,010 per year
  • Job Description: Physician assistants (PAs) are highly trained healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of a physician to diagnose and treat illness, manage chronic diseases, and provide health care education to patients.
  • Responsibilities: Conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medications.
  • Required Education: A Master’s degree from an accredited physician assistant program and state licensure.

Optometrist

  • Average Salary: $125,590 per year
  • Job Description: Optometrists examine the eyes for vision problems and diseases. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed and may provide other treatments such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation.
  • Responsibilities: Performing eye exams, diagnosing and treating visual problems, prescribing glasses and contact lenses.
  • Required Education: A Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited optometry program and licensure.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a career in the medical tech field not only promises a rewarding experience in terms of contributing to patient care and well-being but also offers substantial financial rewards. These top-paying roles require a significant investment in education and training, but they lead to some of the most respected and highest-paying positions within the healthcare sector. As medical technology continues to advance, the demand for skilled professionals in these roles is likely to increase, offering both job security and opportunities for career advancement.

Other Jobs in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

Sources

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Author Frank Gogol

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See author's posts

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