19+ Medical Careers That Don’t Require a Degree

If you want to build a career in the healthcare industry but can’t spend years in college and bury yourself in student debt, you’re not alone.

So, does that mean you cannot enter the healthcare industry? Not at all. The good news is that you can enter the medical field without investing years to get a bachelor’s degree.

We’ve compiled a list of 8 medical careers, from clinical to administrative roles, that only require hands-on training and certifications. This means you can enter the field much faster and start gaining experience and income sooner, making them ideal for career changers and individuals with other commitments.

Benefits of Starting a Healthcare Career Without a Degree

Pursuing a medical career that doesn’t require a degree comes with several advantages:

• Quicker Entry & Lower Cost: While you’d be earning less than a certified physician, you can enter the workforce much faster. Additionally, you’d be paying significantly less for healthcare career training programs as compared to a dedicated degree program, saving you from student debt.
• High Demand & Job Stability: Many non-degree healthcare jobs are in high demand, offering strong job security. For example, home health aides are growing much faster than average, at 21%. An aging population is the primary reason behind this rise. Means a continuous need for healthcare support workers, so you can feel confident about job openings in the years ahead.
• Springboard Role: Entry-level healthcare jobs can serve as stepping stones into higher positions. They let you gain hands-on experience and test the waters before committing to advanced degrees. For example, working as a pharmacy technician opens doors for you to become a licensed pharmacist.
• Flexible Training Options: Training programs for these careers are often very flexible. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer online or hybrid programs. This flexibility allows you to balance school with work or family responsibilities.

Top Medical Careers You Can Start Without a Degree

Let’s explore some of the in-demand medical careers that you can enter without a degree. We’ll also cover what each job involves, where you might work, and how to get started.

1. Medical Assistant (MA)

Medical assistants are essential healthcare support professionals who work alongside doctors and nurses to provide patient care. They have a hybrid role with both clinical and administrative duties. 

On the clinical side, an MA might take vital signs, draw blood, give injections, prepare exam rooms, or assist during minor procedures. 

On the administrative side, they often handle patient scheduling, update medical records, process insurance information, and facilitate communication between the doctor and patient.

• Work settings: Medical assistants work in a variety of outpatient settings such as doctors’ offices, clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals.
• Training required: To become a medical assistant, you’ll typically complete a certificate or diploma program, which often takes around 9–12 months, covering anatomy, basic pharmacology, clinical techniques, and medical office procedures.
• Job outlook: Medical assisting is a fast-growing career. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment of medical assistants is expected to grow roughly 15% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than average.
• Average salary: $44,200 per year
• Career pathways: Healthcare management, medical billing and coding, and specialized clinical roles like registered nurse (RN).

Explore Medical Assistant Training Program

2. Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in pharmacies and hospitals by helping licensed pharmacists dispense medications safely and efficiently. Their duties include measuring and mixing medications, labeling prescription bottles, organizing inventory, and handling insurance claims or patient information at the pharmacy counter. 

• Work settings: Pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies (like the ones in grocery stores), hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and sometimes in mail-order or specialty pharmacies. 
• Training required: Becoming a pharmacy tech usually requires completing a short training program or diploma, often less than a year in length. These programs teach you about pharmacology basics, medication dosage calculations, pharmacy law, and safety. Most states require you to clear the certification exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
• Job outlook: The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033. 
• Average salary: $43,460 per year.
• Career pathways: Pharmacy technician supervisor and pharmacist.

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3. Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomists are specialists in drawing blood from patients for tests, transfusions, or blood donations. Every day, they help collect the blood samples doctors need to diagnose illnesses, monitor conditions, or match donors with patients in need. It’s a hands-on job that requires good technique and a gentle touch.

• Work settings: Common workplaces include hospitals (in labs or emergency departments), diagnostic laboratories, blood donation centers, clinics, and physician offices. Some phlebotomists are mobile, traveling to nursing homes or patients’ homes to collect samples.
• Training required: Phlebotomy is one of the fastest healthcare careers to train for, with training programs typically lasting anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. After training, you’ll likely seek a phlebotomy certification. Several organizations offer certification (like the NHA or ASCP), and while not always legally required, most employers prefer certified phlebotomists.
• Job outlook: Employment is projected to grow at a steady rate of 8% in the coming decade. 
• Average salary: $43,660 per year
• Career pathways: Geriatric phlebotomist, EKG technician, and registered nurse.

Explore Phlebotomy Technician Training Program

4. Medical Billing & Coding Specialist

Not all healthcare careers involve direct patient care. Medical billing and coding specialists ensure that the business and documentation side of healthcare is running smoothly. They translate the treatments and services a patient receives into standardized codes for billing and insurance purposes. They also help manage electronic health records.

• Work settings: Billing and coding specialists typically work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, billing companies, insurance companies, or even remotely from home. Many work behind the scenes in healthcare facilities, in an office environment or medical records department, rather than on the clinical floor. 
• Training required: You’d need to learn medical terminology, anatomy (to understand the records you’ll code), the coding systems (ICD-10, CPT, etc.), and healthcare reimbursement methods. Getting certified as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or obtaining the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credential after training significantly boosts your employability.
• Job outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% growth in medical records and health info jobs over the next decade.
• Average salary: $50,250 per year
• Career pathways: Health information manager, EHR implementation specialist, and medical or health services manager.

Explore Medical Billing & Coding Specialist Training Program

Did you know that medical billing & coding specialists also have the lowest stress levels in the medical field?

5. Dental Assistant

Dental assistants support dentists during procedures, prepare patients for exams, sterilize instruments, take dental X-rays, and often handle some office tasks like scheduling or patient education on oral care. Essentially, the dental assistant helps ensure that a dental practice runs efficiently and that patients are comfortable before, during, and after their procedures.

• Work settings: Dental assistants work primarily in dental offices, which are typically privately owned.
• Training required: You are required to complete a dental assisting certificate/diploma program in about one year or less. These programs teach you about dental anatomy, common procedures, radiography (X-ray) safety, and infection control. In some states, becoming a Registered or Certified Dental Assistant requires passing an exam, typically by the Dental Assisting National Board.
• Job outlook: Dental assisting is projected to grow around 8% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average. 
• Average salary: $47,300 per year
• Career pathways: Dental hygienist and dentist.

6. Radiologic Technician (Limited-Scope)

If you’re interested in the high-tech side of patient care, a career as a Radiologic Technician could be a great fit. Radiology techs perform diagnostic imaging examinations, primarily X-rays, but might also handle other imaging equipment, depending on the setting.

• Work settings: Radiologic techs work in hospitals, imaging centers, urgent care centers, and clinics. Essentially, anywhere that has X-ray or radiology departments.
• Training required: You need to enroll in a training program (typically under a year), which qualifies you to take basic X-rays of certain parts of the body (like chest or limbs) under specific limitations. In either case, you’ll likely need to pass a certification exam by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to become licensed and practice in most states.
• Job outlook: Radiologic technician jobs are projected to grow about 5–6% over the next decade.
• Average salary: $78,980 per year 
• Career pathways: Chief technologist, radiology technician, and imaging supervisor.

Explore Radiology Technician Training Program

7. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Nursing is a broad field, and while becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) typically requires an associate or bachelor’s degree, you can become a certified nursing assistant in a couple of months. CNAs help patients with daily living tasks and basic care. They might assist patients with bathing, dressing, eating, repositioning in bed, and transferring between bed and wheelchair. They also take vital signs and report patient conditions to the nursing staff. 

• Work settings: CNAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health settings. 
• Training required: Training for CNAs is very quick, often just 4 to 12 weeks of classes plus some clinical practice. Requirements vary by state, but we highly recommend a CNA certificate, which is typically offered by the Red Cross.
• Job outlook: CNA roles are projected to grow about 4% over the next decade.
• Average salary: $39,430 per year
• Career pathway: Registered nurse

8. Surgical Technologist

A Surgical Technologist, also known as an operating room technician, is trained to assist during surgeries. Before an operation, they help set up the OR: sterilizing and laying out instruments, preparing equipment, and ensuring everything the surgical team will need is ready. During the surgery, they pass instruments to surgeons, hold retractors, manage specimens, and help maintain a sterile environment. After surgery, they might help with applying dressings and counting instruments to make sure nothing was left inside a patient.

• Work settings: Surgical techs primarily work in hospital operating rooms. They can also be found in outpatient surgery centers (ambulatory surgery centers) where procedures like cataract surgeries or minor orthopedics are done.
• Training required: To become a surgical technologist, you typically complete a training program that is about 12 to 24 months long and covers topics like anatomy, microbiology, surgical procedures, and aseptic techniques, along with hands-on practice in mock OR settings. Additionally, certification like the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential is required from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
• Job outlook: The employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow about 6% over the next decade.
• Average salary: $62,480 per year
• Career pathways: Specialized surgical fields (cardiology or neurosurgery) and operating room manager.

9. Patient Care Technician (PCT)

Patient care technicians are multi-skilled healthcare workers who assist doctors and nurses with direct patient care, very much like CNAs, but often with additional clinical skills. In addition to helping patients with daily activities, PCTs are usually trained to perform certain technical tasks such as drawing blood or conducting electrocardiograms (EKGs). 

• Work settings: PCTs commonly work in hospitals (often in medical-surgical units, dialysis units, or emergency departments), as well as long-term care facilities and dialysis centers. They often work alongside nurses to ensure patients are comfortable and cared for.
• Training required: Many PCTs start as CNAs and then receive additional training in phlebotomy and EKG monitoring. Some community colleges and training centers offer comprehensive Patient Care Technician programs (often around 4–6 months) that bundle these skills together. 
• Job outlook: Patient care technicians fall under a similar category as nursing assistants. The growth rate is about 4% from 2023 to 2033.
• Average salary: Around $39,000 per year.
• Career pathways: LPN, RN, certified dialysis technician, or monitor technician role.

10. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

EMTs are first responders who provide critical care in emergency situations before a patient reaches the hospital. They handle a wide range of situations – from helping someone with a broken arm to performing CPR on someone in cardiac arrest. They are trained to assess a patient’s condition and provide basic life support interventions: for example, controlling bleeding, giving oxygen, performing CPR, or even delivering babies in emergency scenarios. 

• Work settings: The primary workplace for EMTs is in an ambulance (emergency medical services). They also staff events (like concerts or sports games) for on-site emergency care, and some work in clinical settings like hospital ERs or urgent care centers as emergency care assistants. Rural EMTs might be part of volunteer rescue squads, whereas urban EMTs often work for private ambulance companies or municipal fire/EMS departments.
• Training required: To become an EMT, you must complete an EMT-Basic training course (often 120–150 hours, which you can finish in a few months) and then pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam for certification. Training covers emergency procedures, anatomy, patient assessment, and handling trauma. After EMT-Basic, there are higher levels (Advanced EMT and Paramedic) that require additional training and education. Most EMTs also have a CPR certification.
• Job outlook: According to the BLS, employment for EMTs (and paramedics) is expected to grow around 6% from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as average.
• Average salary: Approximately $43,000 per year. 
• Career pathways: Paramedics, nursing, firefighting, or emergency management.

11. Emergency Dispatcher

An emergency dispatcher is the calm voice on the phone when you dial 911. Also known as 911 operators, they are responsible for quickly assessing emergency calls and coordinating the appropriate response. Dispatchers question callers to get essential information (location, nature of the emergency, number of people involved, etc.), give immediate instructions (for example, how to perform CPR or how to stay safe until help arrives), and then dispatch the correct emergency services – ambulance, police, fire, or any combination thereof. This role requires the ability to stay cool under pressure, multitask with computer-aided dispatch systems, and make split-second decisions that can save lives.

• Work settings: Emergency dispatchers typically work in emergency communication centers, which might be part of a local police or fire department, or a standalone 911 call center. These are often high-tech office environments with multiple computer screens, radios, and telephony systems. Dispatchers usually work in shifts, as 24/7 coverage is needed.
• Training required: New dispatchers usually undergo specialized training programs provided by their employer or state, which cover protocols for handling various types of emergencies, broadcasting procedures, computer systems, and sometimes emergency medical dispatch (EMD) training (so they can give medical instructions by phone). Many states in the US require completion of a certification program for emergency telecommunicators. Additionally, skills in typing and geography (knowing your area’s layout) are very helpful.
• Job outlook: Job growth for emergency dispatchers is modest – about 3% from 2023 to 2033. There is a constant need due to turnover and the stressful nature of the job, but improvements in technology (like enhanced GPS and text-to-911) mean each dispatcher can handle slightly more workload, keeping growth slower.
• Average salary: Roughly $48,000–$50,000 per year.
• Career pathways: Shift supervisors or lead dispatchers. Some move into training roles to coach new hires.

12. Dialysis Technician

When a person’s kidneys fail to function properly, dialysis is often required to filter their blood, and dialysis technicians are the trained professionals who make this life-sustaining procedure possible. Dialysis technicians (sometimes called hemodialysis technicians) set up and operate dialysis machines, the equipment that cleans a patient’s blood of toxins and excess fluids. They prepare patients for dialysis, which includes taking vital signs and ensuring patients are comfortable, inserting needles or catheters to connect the patient to the machine, and monitoring the entire process for any issues. 

• Work settings: Dialysis technicians work in dialysis centers (which can be standalone clinics specializing in kidney care) and in hospitals (in dialysis or renal units). 
• Training required: Requirements can vary by state. Many dialysis techs complete a training program (often several months long) specifically in dialysis technology, which includes both coursework and hands-on clinical practice. Topics include kidney physiology, operating dialysis machinery, patient care, and infection control. After training, technicians usually must become certified. Common certifications are offered through organizations like the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (for Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician, CCHT) or the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology (BONENT). 
• Job outlook: Employment of dialysis technicians is projected to grow about 9% from 2023 to 2033. The demand is driven by rising rates of diabetes and hypertension (leading causes of kidney failure) and an aging population. 
• Average salary: Around $41,000 per year. This can vary based on location and experience.
• Career pathways: Registered Nurses (RNs) or dialysis technician supervisor.

13. EKG Technician

EKG Technicians (also known as ECG Technicians or cardiographic technicians) specialize in performing electrocardiogram tests. They must ensure the electrodes are placed correctly (typically 12 leads in a standard EKG) to get an accurate “picture” of the heart’s activity. EKG techs might also perform stress tests (having a patient walk on a treadmill while monitoring heart rate) or Holter monitoring setup (connecting a portable EKG device that a patient wears for 24+ hours). While EKG techs do not interpret the results (that’s done by doctors), their role in correctly administering the test is crucial. It’s a patient-facing job that requires precision and the ability to reassure patients who might be anxious about what the test will show.

• Work settings: EKG technicians work in hospitals (especially in cardiology departments, ERs, and telemetry units), cardiologists’ offices, diagnostic labs, and sometimes in general practice clinics (especially larger ones that do on-site testing). 
• Training required: Training to become an EKG tech can be fairly quick. Some people complete a dedicated EKG technician certification course that might last a few months or even just weeks. Often, however, EKG skills are taught as part of broader programs (like medical assisting, patient care technician, or cardiovascular technology programs).  
• Job outlook: The demand for standalone EKG technicians is growing more slowly (around 2% over the decade). 
• Average salary: About $66,000 per year.
• Career pathways: EKG supervisor or cardiac sonographers.

14. Massage Therapist

Massage therapists use the power of touch to help relieve pain, reduce stress, and promote relaxation for their clients. They manipulate muscles and soft tissues through various techniques – such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, or trigger point therapy – depending on the client’s needs. Many people seek massage therapy for health reasons: to alleviate chronic back or neck pain, recover from injuries, improve circulation, or reduce anxiety. Massage therapists often rely on client repeat business and referrals, good communication and customer service skills are important (as is stamina – you’ll be on your feet and using your arms/hands a lot)

• Work settings: A variety of settings employ massage therapists. Many work in spas and wellness centers, offering relaxation massages. Others work in clinical settings like chiropractic offices, sports medicine clinics, or physical therapy practices, where the focus is more on therapeutic massage for pain or injury recovery.
• Training required: Massage therapy usually requires formal training and licensure in most states. Training programs can range from 500 to 1,000 hours and typically take about a year or less to complete if attending full-time. These programs cover anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (body movement), ethics, and plenty of hands-on technique practice. After completing a program, many states require passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or a state exam to obtain a massage therapist license.
• Job outlook: Very strong. Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow roughly 18% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is propelled by increased public awareness of the health benefits of massage therapy (beyond just luxury or relaxation).
• Average salary: Around $57,000 per year. It’s important to note that many massage therapists earn a significant portion of their income from tips, especially in spa or hotel settings.
• Career pathways: Certified sports massage therapist or occupational therapist.

15. Dispensing Optician

After an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) writes a prescription for lenses, the dispensing optician is the professional who works with the customer to fill that prescription with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Key tasks include helping customers choose eyeglass frames that fit their face, style, and budget, measuring the customer’s eyes and face (pupil distance, bridge width, etc.) to ensure the glasses will fit properly, and advising on lens options (like anti-glare coatings or transition lenses). They also might cut, grind, or order the lenses based on the prescription and then fit the finished glasses on the customer, adjusting the frames for comfort and proper positioning of the lenses. 

• Work settings: Most opticians work in optometry offices or optical stores. These could be standalone local businesses or retail chains. Some work in ophthalmology clinics or in laboratories that produce eyeglasses.
• Training required: Requirements for opticians vary by state. Some states require formal education and licensure, while others allow opticians to be trained on the job. Formal training can be through a one- or two-year opticianry program (sometimes resulting in an associate degree). These programs cover optical principles, lens technology, and fabrication, as well as fitting and customer service. In states with licensure, after education (or sufficient hours of on-the-job training), you need to pass a state board exam or a certification exam like those offered by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). Even in states without licensing requirements, many employers prefer certified opticians.
• Job outlook: Dispensing optician jobs are expected to grow about 3% from 2023 to 2033, which is slower than average. Vision needs do increase with an aging population, but improvements in technology (like online ordering of glasses) can limit growth in traditional optician roles.
• Average salary: Approximately $44,000 per year.
• Career pathways: Optical store managers, lead opticians, or optometrists.

16. Psychiatric Aide

Psychiatric aides (sometimes just called mental health aides or psychiatric nursing assistants) care for mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients, providing much-needed support in psychiatric hospitals or mental health facilities. They work under the supervision of psychiatric nurses or psychiatrists to help with the patient’s daily living activities and therapeutic activities.

• Work settings: Psychiatric aides work in psychiatric hospitals, behavioral health centers, and residential mental health facilities. Some general hospitals have psychiatric units where aides are part of the staff. Other employment opportunities can be in state mental hospitals, veterans’ psychiatric units, or community-based group homes for people with developmental or psychiatric disabilities.
• Training required: The entry requirements are often similar to those of nursing assistants. A high school diploma or GED is typically needed. Many employers will then provide several weeks of on-the-job training specific to dealing with psychiatric patients and safety protocols. Some psychiatric aides first get certified as nursing assistants (CNA), because basic caregiving skills overlap (and some employers require CNA certification). Certifications specific to mental health, like Mental Health First Aid or Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training, are a plus.
• Job outlook: The demand for psychiatric aides is expected to grow around 13% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average. As more people seek treatment for mental health issues, facilities will need support staff to assist professional clinicians. Moreover, some tasks in patient care can be effectively delegated to aides, maintaining a cost-effective staffing mix.
• Average salary: Approximately $40,000 per year.
• Career pathways: Psychiatric technicians or licensed practical nurses.

17. Home Health Aide

Home health aides (HHAs) provide essential care to individuals in their own homes, enabling the elderly, disabled, or chronically ill to live as comfortably and independently as possible. As a home health aide, your tasks can range from personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, helping clients move around the house) to household tasks (light cleaning, laundry, meal preparation) to certain basic health-related tasks (reminding clients to take medications, checking vital signs, or changing simple dressings).

• Work settings: The primary “setting” is the client’s home or sometimes the home of a family member of the client. Home health aides usually work through home health agencies, which might be nonprofits, hospital-affiliated, or private companies, that assign them to clients.
• Training required: Federal and state regulations determine training requirements. If an aide is working for an agency that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding (which many do), they are required by federal law to get at least 75 hours of training and pass a competency evaluation. Many states have their own licensing or certification for home health aides, which can involve more training hours (often 75-120 hours) and a state exam. Training covers basic personal care techniques, emergency response (like when to call 911), infection control, and patients’ rights. Often, training programs can be completed in a matter of weeks.
• Job outlook: Excellent. The employment of home health aides is projected to grow about 22% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average. 
• Average salary: About $34,000 per year.
• Career pathways: Certified nursing assistant, LPN, or RN.

18. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Licensed Practical Nurses (called Licensed Vocational Nurses, LVNs in California and Texas) are nurses who provide basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. They are a level above nursing assistants in terms of training and responsibilities, but not as advanced as RNs. LPNs perform a variety of nursing tasks: monitoring patients’ health by checking vital signs like blood pressure and temperature, administering basic treatments like changing wound dressings, and giving injections. They also help keep patient records updated and report any changes in a patient’s condition to RNs or physicians. In many settings, LPNs will start IV drips or give IV medications if they have special certification and if state regulations allow (some states restrict LPNs from certain IV therapies).

Work settings: LPNs work in a variety of healthcare settings. A large number are employed in long-term care facilities like nursing homes and assisted living facilities – in these settings, LPNs often provide the majority of daily nursing care to residents. They also work in hospitals, though hospitals today employ fewer LPNs than they used to, often preferring RNs for most inpatient roles. Other common workplaces include physicians’ offices (especially in clinics where they might give vaccines or do basic assessments), urgent care centers, and home health care (LPNs might visit patients at home to provide wound care, etc., as directed by an RN case manager). Some LPNs also work in schools, correctional facilities, or outpatient surgery centers. Essentially, anyplace that needs nursing care but not necessarily an RN for every task might employ LPNs.

Training required: To become an LPN, you must complete a state-approved practical nursing program. These programs are often offered by community colleges or vocational schools and typically last about 12 to 18 months. The curriculum includes nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and supervised clinical rotations in different areas (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics). Because it’s a shorter program than RN programs, it focuses on the practical aspects of nursing care. After completing the program, you must pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

Job outlook: The job outlook for LPNs is projected to be around a 5% growth from 2023 to 2033, which is about average for all occupations.

Average salary: About $62,000 per year.

Career pathways: Registered Nurses (RNs)

19. Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile processing technicians (sometimes called central service technicians) ensure surgical and medical instruments are properly cleaned, sterilized, and ready for use. They disassemble tools after procedures, run sterilization equipment, and keep detailed records of equipment maintenance.

• Work settings: Hospitals, surgery centers, and clinics.
• Training required: Most complete a certificate or diploma program (typically 9–12 months) in sterile processing or central service. Certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) is often preferred.
• Job outlook: Demand is steady due to constant surgical volume and infection-control standards. Growth rate is around 5–6%.
• Average salary: About $46,000 per year.
• Career pathways: Lead sterile processing technician or surgical technologist.

Other Honorable Mentions

Here are some more medical roles you can explore that do not require a degree:

• Dietary Aides or Nutrition Assistants
• Hospital Transporters (Patient Transport Specialists)
• Medical Scribes
• Chiropractic Assistants

The only reason why we didn’t mention these roles in the main list is that they either don’t pay in the same range as other career options, their job outlook isn’t promising, or they are extremely stressful. With that said, if you find these roles to your liking, go for them.

Final Words

The healthcare field truly has a niche for every interest, whether you prefer technology, direct patient care, or administrative work. These are just some of the medical career paths open to those without a college degree. 

While you can opt for any one of these roles, it should also be noted that hands-on training is crucial for all of them. Not sure which career is right for you? Contact the CCI Training Center’s admissions department; our experts are more than happy to help.