Millennials make up the largest generation in the U.S. labor force, so it should come as no surprise that healthcare jobs are among the most popular roles for this cohort. Healthcare surpassed all other industries as the nation’s largest employer in December 2017, and more millennials are flocking to roles throughout the space.
LiveCareer ranked the most popular jobs among millennials and found that many healthcare jobs were among the top 15 across all industries.
“Many of the most popular jobs for millennials are also related to healthcare, which is projected to grow as the population ages and older generations begin to seek additional medical care,” the ranking stated.
Here are the top most popular jobs in healthcare for millennials and the median annual wage:
- Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers—median annual wage: $26,140
- Phlebotomist—median annual wage: $33,670
- EMTs and paramedics—median annual wage: $33,380
- Physician assistants—median annual wage: $104,860
- Medical assistants—median annual wage: $32,480
- Dental assistants—median annual wage: $37,630
Live Career used data from the most recent Current Population Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to compile its ranking. Across all occupations, millennials account for nearly 32 percent of total employment, though among dental assistants they make up 45.5 percent. Nearly half of the most popular jobs, across all occupations, were within the service sector, with only four jobs requiring a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
The top 15 jobs overall are also projected to grow 12 percent across all occupations between 2016 and 2026, outpacing the national average of more than 7 percent.
As more baby boomers leave the workforce as they age, millennials may also see more opportunities to switch careers entirely.
“In the coming years, it will be interesting to see how popular jobs for millennials change (or stay the same) with an improving economy and shifting demographics,” LiveCareer noted.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."