Outlook 2026: Which medical jobs will be in demand?

 

Medical jobs will always be in demand, but certain positions may become more desirable as the country's population ages. With the massive baby boomer generation retiring, there will be fewer experienced doctors and many more patients.

The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that the U.S. will face a significant physician shortage in the coming decade. AAMC estimates that between 40,800 and 104,900 positions will remain empty.

With that in mind, here are five medical jobs that are most likely to be in-demand between now and 2026:

1. Physical therapists

Median salary: $86,850
Growth rate: 28 percent

Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries and surgical procedures. They often find employment in rehabilitation clinics as well as acute care centers, outpatient clinics and home health settings. The demand for physical therapists is much higher than the average for all jobs.

2. Home health aides

Median salary: $23,130
Growth rate: 41 percent

Home health aides are front-line workers who get to know their patients very well. They often administer medicine, help with tasks around the house and maintain a safe and healthy environment for those they serve. As the boomer generation ages, the demand for home health workers will increase drastically.

3. Primary care physicians

Median salary: $208,000
Growth rate: 13 percent

Often the first person a patient sees, primary care physicians examine and treat patients for a wide range of conditions. They perform examinations, prepare medical histories and refer patients to specialists when necessary. The demand for primary care physicians is growing at double the rate of all other categories of jobs.

4. Registered nurses

Median salary: $70,000
Growth rate: 15 percent

Nurses provide direct care to patients in a clinical setting. Registered nurses have a wide breadth of medical knowledge and can help patients prevent diseases. Registered nurses will become even more important in a market with a doctor shortage.

5. Pharmacists

Median salary: $124,170
Growth rate: 6 percent

In addition to preparing medications for patients, pharmacists serve as a face-to-face point of contact for patients who have questions about their prescriptions, and how best to adhere to the prescribed dosage. Demand for pharmacists is expected to remain on par with the national average for all jobs.

Ready to find your next position within any of these in-demand healthcare job profiles? Sign up for free job alerts at myHealthTalent.com today. Medical jobs will always be in demand, but certain positions may become more desirable as the country’s population ages.