Health care is one of the fastest growing career sectors. The Health Science and Medical Technology Sector requires academic and technical skills, as well as the related knowledge necessary for the field. These careers range from entry level to management, including technical and professional specialties. Workers in this field need the knowledge and ability to contribute to the delivery of safe and effective health care. Nearly half of the careers in this area require professional level preparation. Students commonly need the academic background required for entry into postsecondary education. Specific skill sets needed usually include chemistry, physics, math, and biology plus communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Many careers require state certification or credentials.
Want to search for new answers and develop medical breakthroughs? The Biotechnology Research and Development Pathway includes occupations that use biological science to research and develop applications used to benefit human health.
If you like to help solve medical problems, the Diagnostic Services Pathway may be for you. Analyzing the cause or nature of a person’s condition by creating a picture of their health status at a single point in time is the basis of the work performed in diagnostic services.
Computer utilization is very fascinating to many people. If you think operating a computer as your primary work focus sounds intriguing, the Health Informatics Pathway may be right for you. Health informatics involves distribution of patient health data organized via the computer. As software continues to be developed, the health informatics job opportunities will continue to grow.
The Support Services Pathway provides an opportunity to work directly or indirectly with patients, their environment, and their material needs.
Want to assist patients in overcoming disease, illness, or injury? Occupations that affect the ongoing treatment and rehabilitation of patients are part of the Therapeutic Services Pathway, which includes an extensive list of entry through professional level career options.
| Program of Study | Author | Career Pathway | Download this Program of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
Biotechnology Laboratory Technician |
Kern Resource Center | Diagnostic Services Pathway | |
Medical Assistant Administrator |
Kern Resource Center | Therapeutic Services Pathway | |
Registered Nurse |
Kern Resource Center | Therapeutic Services Pathway |
The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.
| Occupation Title | Employment Levels in 2006 | Projected Employment Level 2016 | Projected Job Growth | Percent of Job Growth | 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage | 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage | 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage | 2008 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemists & Biophysicists | 4,500 | 5,600 |
1,100 |
24.4% |
$45.57 |
$1,822.80 |
$7,655.76 |
$91,869.10 |
| Dental Hygienist | 22,400 | 30,400 |
8,000 |
35.7% |
$40.29 |
$1,611.60 |
$6,768.72 |
$81,224.60 |
| Dentists | 15,300 | 17,400 |
2,100 |
13.7% |
$68.17 |
$2,726.80 |
$11,452.60 |
$137,431.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 3,300 | 3,900 |
600 |
18.2% |
$33.63 |
$1,345.20 |
$5,649.84 |
$67,798.10 |
| Health Educators | 9,900 | 12,300 |
2,400 |
24.2% |
$23.24 |
$929.60 |
$3,904.32 |
$46,851.80 |
| Health Technologists & Technicians, all other | 12,200 | 14,900 |
2,700 |
22.1% |
$21.97 |
$878.80 |
$3,690.96 |
$44,291.50 |
| Librarian, including Medical | 11,300 | 12,800 |
1,500 |
13.3% |
$29.96 |
$1,198.40 |
$5,033.28 |
$60,399.40 |
| Licensed Vocational Nurses | 57,700 | 67,800 |
10,100 |
17.5% |
$23.17 |
$926.80 |
$3,892.56 |
$46,710.70 |
| Medical & Clinical Lab Technician. | 10,500 | 12,300 |
1,800 |
17.1% |
$19.36 |
$774.40 |
$3,252.48 |
$39,029.80 |
| Medical & Clinical Lab Technologist | 12,300 | 14,300 |
2,000 |
16.3% |
$33.70 |
$1,348.00 |
$5,661.60 |
$67,939.20 |
| Medical Records & Health Info Techs. | 13,700 | 16,300 |
2,600 |
19.0% |
$17.33 |
$693.20 |
$2,911.44 |
$34,937.30 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | 7,500 | 8,300 |
800 |
10.7% |
$19.62 |
$784.80 |
$3,296.16 |
$39,553.90 |
| Nuclear Medicne Technologist | 1,600 | 1,900 |
300 |
18.8% |
$38.37 |
$1,534.80 |
$6,446.16 |
$77,353.90 |
| Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants | 100,400 | 122,200 |
21,800 |
21.7% |
$13.04 |
$521.60 |
$2,190.72 |
$26,288.60 |
| Occupational Therapists | 7,900 | 10,100 |
2,200 |
27.8% |
$38.18 |
$1,527.20 |
$6,414.24 |
$76,970.90 |
| Pharmacists | 23,800 | 30,000 |
6,200 |
26.1% |
$55.22 |
$2,208.80 |
$9,276.96 |
$111,324.00 |
| Physical Therapist | 14,800 | 19,200 |
4,400 |
29.7% |
$38.92 |
$1,556.80 |
$6,538.56 |
$78,462.70 |
| Physical Therapy Aides | 5,100 | 6,700 |
1,600 |
31.4% |
$13.03 |
$521.20 |
$2,189.04 |
$26,268.50 |
| Physicians & Surgeons, All Other | 21,900 | 24,900 |
3,000 |
13.7% |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
| Radiologic Technologist & Technicians | 15,200 | 17,700 |
2,500 |
16.4% |
$29.13 |
$1,165.20 |
$4,893.84 |
$58,726.10 |
| Registered Nurses | 238,400 | 298,000 |
59,600 |
25.0% |
$38.72 |
$1,548.80 |
$6,504.96 |
$78,059.50 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technicians | 1,000 | 1,000 |
0 |
0.0% |
$26.50 |
$1,060.00 |
$4,452.00 |
$53,424.00 |
| Statistician | 2,500 | 3,000 |
500 |
20.0% |
$42.19 |
$1,687.60 |
$7,087.92 |
$85,055.00 |
