Recreational Therapist / Behavioral Health
Christus Health

Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services.

Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons, including an increased emphasis on preventive care; increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population, as this group leads longer and more active lives.

Pay
According to BLS, the median annual wage for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (such as registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists) was $69,870 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy of $41,950.

Healthcare support occupations (such as home health aides, occupational therapy assistants, and medical transcriptionists) had a median annual wage of $29,960 in May 2020, lower than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy.

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $75,330 in May 2020.

Here are some occupations within Medical and Nursing:

• Athletic Training
• Audiologists
• Chiropractors
• Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
• Dentists
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists
• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
• Medical Assistants
• Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
• Pharmacists
• Radiologic and MRI Technologists
• Registered Nurses
• Speech-Language Pathologists