Best Paramedical Courses With High Salary

Healthcare isn’t just for doctors anymore. A lot of students want stable, high-paying careers without spending 10 years in medical school. That’s where paramedical courses shine.

According to Market Reports, the paramedical services niche makes up approximately 21% of the global healthcare sector. That's a lot of opportunity for students who want job security and meaningful work in the healthcare sector.

But not all paramedical courses are created equal. Some open doors to six-figure salaries. Others are fulfilling but pay less. 

This guide analyzes the best paramedical courses with high salary potential.

What Are Paramedical Courses?

Paramedical courses are training programs that prepare students for allied roles in healthcare. These professionals eventually work alongside doctors and nurses, helping with diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

Most paramedical courses take about two to four years. That shorter timeline makes them a quicker path into stable, well-paying healthcare jobs.

Now, let’s look at five of the best paramedical courses that can lead to high-paying jobs.

Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

If someone told a prospective student that they could earn six figures a year as a physician assistant without going through more than a decade of medical school, they'd probably say it’s too good to be true. But that's exactly what an MPAS offers.

This course requires that students first have a bachelor's degree in any science field before doing a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS). Everything typically takes between six and seven years. 

U.S. News & World Report ranked physician assistants among the best healthcare jobs in 2025.

Basic Responsibilities

• Examine patients and take medical histories.
• Diagnose common illnesses
• Prescribe medication
• Assist during surgery
• Educate patients on treatment plans

Job Outlook and Salary

The money here is excellent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual median salary for PAs was $133,260 as of May 2024. That’s a strong six-figure salary.

The same BLS predicts up to 12,000 openings for physician assistants in the country between now and 2034. This makes it a paramedical course with one of the best outlooks in the healthcare industry.

Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Nursing is the backbone of the medical system. It is also one of the most flexible paramedical careers. 

To become a registered nurse, students will need either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). ADN programs are shorter, usually two years in duration. This makes them ideal for people who cannot commit to a traditional four-year BSN program. More than 44% of new nurses entered via ADN programs. Graduates must also pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

Those who want to advance can specialize. For example, there are mental health nurse practitioner programs that can help RNs specialize in psychiatric care.

Online MSN-PMHNP programs, according to Cleveland State University, give RNs advanced education and clinical training to provide mental health care. This often leads to higher pay.

Basic Responsibilities

• Monitor patient health
• Administer medication
• Assist doctors
• Educate patients
• Manage medical records

Job Outlook and Salary

Nursing is definitely a rewarding field, with nurse practitioners earning around $121,610 per year, according to the American Society of Registered Nurses.

RN is hands-on. It’s people-centered. And yes, it can be quite intense. But it’s also one of the most impactful and in-demand roles in paramedical healthcare.

Radiologic Sciences

Radiologic technologists are often the first people to notice something unusual in a scan that saves a patient's life. This makes radiologic sciences a very important part of healthcare. Not surprisingly, it comes with a high salary.

To become a radiologic technologist, students need to earn either an associate's or a bachelor's degree in radiologic science and obtain certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Basic Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for imaging procedures
• Operate medical imaging equipment
• Follow safety protocols to minimize radiation exposure
• Assist radiologists with interventional procedures

Job Outlook and Salary

Radiologic science pays graduates really well, with the U.S. BLS revealing that the median salary for this role was $78,980 per year, as of May 2024.

$78,980 is not the national average, though. Graduates of this paramedical course can actually earn more depending on where in the country they work. In fact, radiology and MRI technology graduates in Washington state may earn as much as $127,412 per year, according to ZipRecruiter data.

The same BLS predicts that demand for practitioners will grow 5% by 2034. It's clearly a high-demand role and definitely worth studying in school.

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)

Roughly 70% of all medical decisions are influenced by lab test results. This singular fact puts medical laboratory science right at the center of modern medicine.

Students who prefer working behind the scenes rather than at the bedside often choose this course. It's a four-year bachelor's program, after which graduates will obtain certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Basic Responsibilities

• Test blood and urine samples
• Detect infections or diseases
• Maintain lab equipment
• Analyze lab results
• Report findings to doctors

Job Outlook and Salary

The pay for medical lab science grads is pretty solid. According to the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), the national average sits around $64,964 per year. But in states like Michigan and Indiana, medical lab scientists can pull in between $91,717 and $78,811 a year, respectively.

Demand is high, too. With an aging population, the need for diagnostic testing is only going to keep climbing.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)

DMS trains students to become medical sonographers, a role that's key to modern healthcare outcomes.

Graduates do ultrasounds for expecting mothers as well as imaging for a wide range of issues, giving physicians real-time views that guide life-saving decisions. It's a technically demanding role, and the compensation reflects that.

Students can complete sonography programs in as little as two years via the Associate of Applied Science degree route. Those who want specialized roles will have to go for a BSc in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Basic Responsibilities

• Operate ultrasound equipment
• Explain procedures to patients
• Analyze scan results
• Work closely with radiologists and referring physicians

Job Outlook and Salary

Medical sonography offers solid financial rewards. By May 2024, the typical sonographer was pulling in around $89,340 annually, with top earners making upwards of $123,170. And it's not just the money. The outlook is appealing, too, with industry experts predicting a 13% industry growth by 2034.

Final Thoughts

Going into healthcare no longer means either becoming a doctor or a surgeon. Paramedical courses also offer a wide variety of opportunities that eventually lead to a career in healthcare. 

What's more? The end goal is the same: A sense of purpose. Good pay. Job stability.

Even better, most of these courses only require two to four years of school. Students who choose the right one can start earning a great salary while their friends spend almost two decades trying to become surgeons.

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