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Registered nurses have highest employment in healthcare occupations; anesthesiologists earn the most
July 13, 2015
In May 2014, there were 11.8 million workers employed in healthcare practitioner, technical, and support occupations. Among those, 2.7 million were registered nurses, the largest occupation. Anesthesiologists earned the most, with an average annual wage of $246,320.
Employment and average annual wages for selected healthcare occupations, May 2014
Occupation
Employment
Annual mean wages
Registered nurses
2,687,310
$69,790
Nursing assistants
1,427,740
$26,250
Home health aides
799,080
$22,400
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
695,610
$43,420
Pharmacists
290,780
$118,470
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
235,760
$35,110
Physical therapists
200,670
$83,940
Dental hygienists
196,520
$71,970
Radiologic technologists
193,400
$57,510
Speech-language pathologists
126,500
$74,900
Family and general practitioners
124,810
$186,320
Occupational therapists
110,520
$80,000
Dentists, general
97,990
$166,810
Physician assistants
91,670
$97,280
Internists, general
48,390
$190,530
Surgeons
41,070
$240,440
Optometrists
33,340
$113,010
Pediatricians, general
31,010
$175,400
Anesthesiologists
30,060
$246,320
Psychiatrists
25,080
$182,700
Obstetricians and gynecologists
21,740
$214,750
Orthodontists
6,190
$201,030
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
5,120
$219,600
Among healthcare support occupations in May 2014, there were 1.4 million nursing assistants. The average annual wage for nursing assistants was $26,250. Also in this group, home health aides had 799,080 workers.
United States Department of Labor
