When considering medical jobs, nurses and doctors—careers requiring college or advanced degrees—often come to mind. However, many jobs in hospitals and other health care facilities require significantly less education. Of the 15 million health care jobs in the United States, more than 8.5 million positions require less than an associate’s degree. 

Using BLS salary and education data from May 2023, we analyzed hospital jobs that do not require a degree and ranked them by average wage. The typical education for the below jobs does not require a college degree. They need only a certificate or, in some cases, just a high school degree. 

Key findings: 

• It's possible to earn an above-average salary without getting a degree. Four of the 18 careers analyzed have average salaries higher than the average salary for all occupations in the U.S. The rest earn less than the national average. Surgical technologists ($60,610 per year), vocational nurses ($59,730 per year), hearing aid specialists ($58,670) and massage therapists ($55,310) all earn more than the median salary for all occupations, $48,060 per year. 
• The fastest-growing job is also the lowest-paying job. Home health aide jobs will increase faster than any other health care job that does not require a college degree over the next ten years. Home health aide jobs will grow by 21.7 percent, from 3.7 million jobs to 4.5 million between 2022 and 2032. According to the BLS, the need for home health aides results from an aging population. Even so, home health aides are the lowest paid health care workers—they earn $33,530 per year or $16.12 per hour.
• Think twice before becoming an optician, pharmacy aide or medical transcriptionist. Although most health care jobs are growing faster than the national average, the BLS predicts that two of the jobs we analyzed will have fewer jobs in 2032 The BLS predicts that the number of. Most jobs we analyzed had growth rates faster than  The BLS estimates that the number of pharmacy aides will decrease by 1.2 percent and the number of medical transcriptionists will decrease by 1.8 percent. 

We’ve organized these jobs from the highest to the lowest paying to provide a clear overview of earning potentials for hospital jobs that don't require a college degree.

1. Surgical Technologists

Salary: $60,610 per year or $29.14 per hour 

Typical education: Certificate or diploma

Surgical technologists assist with surgeries. They are members of a surgical team and work with doctors and nurses. Surgical technologists are often responsible for setting up and assisting in the operating room during operations. Some responsibilities include preparing patients for transport, holding instruments or maintaining a proper sterile field during the surgery. They are also known as Certified Surgical Technicians, Certified Surgical Technologists (CST), Surgical Technicians or Surgical Techs. 

Are you interested in becoming a surgical tech? Learn more about how to become a surgical tech here. ‍

2. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPNs and LVNs)

Salary: $59,730 per year or $28.72 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma

LPNs and LVNs take care of patients and perform nursing duties—such as charting or basic patient care—under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. They often work in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. To become an LPN or LPN, you must complete a state-approved diploma or certificate program before obtaining a license. LVN and LPN programs typically take a year to complete. 

Read more: What's the Difference Between an LPN and an RN

3. Hearing Aid Specialists

Salary: $58,670 per year or $28.21

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent

Hearing aid specialists help customers select and fit hearing aids. They earn more on average than any other health care profession that does not require an associate's or bachelor's degree. However, there are relatively few hearing aid specialist jobs in the U.S. The BLS estimates that there are only 10,200 hearing aid specialists in the United States.

4. Massage Therapists

Salary: $55,310 per year or $26.59 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma

Massage therapists improve their clients' general health and wellness by touching, kneading or manipulating muscles and soft tissue.

Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to complete a certification program before taking a licensing exam such as the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). Massage therapy programs typically require students to complete at least 500 hours of study and experience.‍

5. Dental Assistants

Salary: $46,540 per year or $22.38 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma 

Dental assistants work in dental offices. Some of their responsibilities include caring for patients, maintaining medical records or taking x-rays. Licensing requirements differ by state. Some require graduation from an accredited program, while others allow on-the-job training. 

Read more: How to Become a Dental Assistant‍

6. Medical Equipment Preparers

Salary: $45,280 per year or $21.77 per hour

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent

Sterile environments are crucial for hospitals and other health care facilities. Medical equipment preparers, also known as Central Processing Technicians  (CPT) or Central Sterile Supply Technicians (CSS Technicians), are responsible for sterilizing, installing and cleaning health care and laboratory equipment.  

Learn more about how to become a sterile processing technician. ‍

7. Opticians

Salary: $44,170 per year or $21.23 per hour

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent

Opticians use prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists to help clients select glasses or fit them for contacts. Many opticians work in doctor's or optometrist offices. Others work in stores selling glasses or contacts. Some states require opticians to be licensed. 

8. Medical Assistants

Salary: $42,000 per year or $20.19 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma

Medical assistants work in physician offices, hospitals and other health care facilities. They perform clinical tasks such as measuring patients' vital signs, height and weight and administrative tasks such as recording patient medical information. Medical assistants typically have completed a certificate or diploma program. In some states, medical assistants can perform clinical tasks, such as injections. 

Find schools: Search accredited medical assistant programs

9. Phlebotomists

Salary: $41,810 per year or $20.10 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma 

Phlebotomists, phlebotomy technicians or registered phlebotomists draw blood from patients. They take blood samples for lab work or draw blood for transfusions or donations. They primarily work in hospitals and diagnostic laboratories (think LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics). Most phlebotomists have completed a course—the Red Cross has a popular one—and have earned a certification. 

Find schools: Search Online Phlebotomy Programs‍

10. Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

Salary: $41,780 per year or $20.09 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma

Ophthalmic medical technicians assist ophthalmologists. Some possible job responsibilities include administering eye exams and eye medications or teaching patients how to use and care for contact lenses. ‍

11. Pharmacy Technicians

Salary: $40,300 per year or $19.37 per hour

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent

Pharmacy technicians work with pharmacists to help dispense medication. They typically work in pharmacies, which can be found in hospitals, grocery stores and other locations. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians by requiring them to pass a test or complete a program. 

Read more: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician‍

12. Psychiatric Technicians

Salary: $39,700 per year or $19.09 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma  

A psychiatric technician is a health care professional who provides direct care and support to individuals with mental health disorders and developmental disabilities. Their primary responsibilities include monitoring patients' behavior, assisting with daily activities, administering medications, implementing treatment plans, performing crisis intervention, and documenting progress. Unlike psychiatric aides, psychiatric technicians have more responsibilities and play a crucial role in mental healthcare, significantly contributing to patients' treatment and recovery.

13. Emergency Medical Technicians

Salary: $38,930 per year or $18.72 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma  

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a healthcare professional who delivers emergency medical care and transportation for critically ill or injured individuals outside a hospital setting. Their primary responsibilities include responding to 911 emergency calls, assessing patients' conditions, providing basic life-saving care, stabilizing patients, and safely transporting them to medical facilities. EMTs work closely with other first responders and medical staff, ensuring effective communication and detailed documentation of patient care and observations.

EMTs are trained to perform basic medical and first-aid procedures such as administering CPR, using automated external defibrillators (AEDs), providing oxygen therapy, assisting with childbirth, treating wounds, and controlling bleeding. They also immobilize fractures and spinal injuries and can administer certain medications like epinephrine for severe allergic reactions. EMTs primarily work in ambulances but may also collaborate with fire departments, air rescue teams, or private ambulance services. Their training requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of an accredited EMT program, passing the NREMT or a state-specific exam, and maintaining CPR certification. ‍

14. Nursing Assistants

Salary: $38,200 per year or 18.36 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma  

Nursing assistants and orderlies help care for patients and support them in their daily lives. Most states require nursing assistants to be certified. The certification courses typically cover the basic principles of nursing and patient care. Orderlies have a more limited scope of practice and thus can rely on on-the-job training. 

Read More: How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

15. Medical Transcriptionists

Salary: $37,060 per year or 17.82 per hour

Typical education: Certificate or diploma 

Medical transcriptionists listen to reports by physicians or other medical professionals. They transcribe and translate the reports into an understandable form. Many medical transcriptionists first complete a 1-year medical transcription program where they learn medical terminology, how to use transcription software and other skills. 

Read more: How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist

16. Orderlies

Salary: $36,830 per year or $17.71 per hour

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent

Orderlies are hospital attendants who perform non-medical duties. These duties can include transporting patients, managing supplies, assisting with daily living activities, and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of patient rooms.

17. Pharmacy Aides

Salary: $36,200 per year or $17.41 per hour

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent  

Pharmacy aides work in pharmacies. They help manage inventory and often operate the cash register. They’re also known as pharmacy assistants, pharmacy clerks or drug purchasers. 

18. Home Health and Personal Care Aides

Salary: $33,530 per year or $16.12 per hour

Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent 

Home health aides help the elderly, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses with daily living activities. They typically work in clients' homes or group homes. Most positions do not require certification, but some health or hospice agencies require their employees to complete formal training or to pass a standardized test.

Learn more about becoming a home health aide: 

Health care offers a wide range of job opportunities that do not require a college degree, providing viable career paths for those who prefer to enter the workforce sooner and with less educational investment. Some positions, such as surgical technologists and vocational nurses, offer competitive salaries and strong job growth prospects. In contrast, others, like home health aides, may present lower wages but still have high demand due to an aging population.

Whether  looking for a stepping stone to a more advanced degree or interested in breaking into health care, there are many non-degree options in the medical field. 

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