Treat patients who have trouble breathing, managing ventilators, oxygen, and lung therapies.
Hospitals, especially intensive and emergency care; on your feet, hands-on.
Often long shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
Associate degree
Training path: Associate degree + license.
Requires certification and a state license in nearly every state.
Hospitals can't run without them — a 2-year degree at nearly $80k.
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Standard Occupational Classification 29-1126. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.