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If you've ever been curious about working in healthcare but aren't sure you want to become a doctor or nurse, allied health might be the perfect path for you. Allied health encompasses a remarkably diverse range of professions — from respiratory therapists and radiologic technologists to art therapists and optometric technicians — and these roles form the backbone of modern healthcare delivery. I've spent years helping job seekers on healthcareers.app find their ideal positions, and I can tell you that allied health careers consistently offer strong job security, meaningful work, and impressive growth potential. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about allied health, including specific roles you might not have considered, how to get started, and where the field is headed.
Allied health is a broad term that refers to healthcare professionals who are not physicians, nurses, or pharmacists but who play critical roles in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. According to the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions, allied health workers make up approximately 60 percent of the total healthcare workforce in the United States. That's an extraordinary number, and it underscores just how essential these professionals are to the system.
Allied health professionals work in virtually every healthcare setting imaginable — hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, community health organizations, private practices, and even patients' homes. Their roles range from highly technical positions like medical laboratory scientists and diagnostic medical sonographers to therapeutic roles like occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
At healthcareers.app, we list thousands of allied health positions because we know that these careers represent some of the most accessible and rewarding entry points into the healthcare industry. Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to advance within healthcare, understanding the allied health landscape is one of the smartest moves you can make.
One of the things I love most about allied health is its sheer variety. There's truly something for every interest, skill set, and educational background. Let me break down some of the major categories.
These are the professionals who operate complex equipment, analyze specimens, and provide the data that physicians need to make accurate diagnoses. Examples include:
These professionals focus on helping patients recover from illness, injury, or surgery, and on improving quality of life for those with chronic conditions:
This is a category that many people overlook, but it's one of the most fascinating and rapidly growing areas in allied health. Art therapy is a prime example.
So, what does an art therapist do? An art therapist is a licensed mental health professional who uses creative processes — such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage — to help clients explore emotions, reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, and address psychological challenges. Art therapists work with diverse populations, including children experiencing trauma, veterans coping with PTSD, older adults with dementia, and individuals in substance abuse recovery programs.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapists typically hold a master's degree in art therapy or a related field and must complete supervised clinical hours before becoming credentialed. It's a career that beautifully merges clinical expertise with artistic expression, and I've seen growing demand for these professionals on our platform — particularly in behavioral health facilities, schools, and community mental health centers.
If you've ever wondered what does an art therapist do on a day-to-day basis, their work might include conducting individual or group therapy sessions, developing treatment plans in collaboration with psychiatrists and social workers, documenting client progress, and adapting creative interventions to meet each client's unique needs. It's deeply meaningful work that makes a tangible difference in people's lives.
I always encourage job seekers to look at the data before making career decisions, and the numbers for allied health are compelling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), healthcare occupations are projected to grow by approximately 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Allied health professions are a major driver of that growth.
Here's a snapshot of median annual salaries for some popular allied health roles, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Salaries can vary significantly based on geographic location, experience level, certifications, and the specific healthcare setting. I've noticed on healthcareers.app that allied health professionals in metropolitan areas and specialized facilities often command higher wages, while those in rural or underserved areas may benefit from loan repayment programs and signing bonuses.
Getting into allied health is more achievable than many people think. The educational requirements vary widely depending on the specific role, which is one of the things that makes the field so accessible.
Ask yourself what kind of work environment excites you. Do you thrive in fast-paced settings like emergency departments? Are you drawn to patient interaction, or do you prefer working behind the scenes in a lab? Do you have a creative side that you'd love to incorporate into your work? Your answers will help narrow down which allied health path is right for you.
Some allied health careers require only a certificate or associate degree (such as phlebotomy, medical assisting, or optometric technology — the kind of role you might find at a clinic like 716 Eye Care), while others require a bachelor's or master's degree (such as physical therapy, which now requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, or art therapy, which typically requires a master's degree). The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is an excellent resource for finding accredited programs.
Most allied health programs include clinical rotations or practicum experiences. These are invaluable — they give you hands-on training, help you build professional connections, and allow you to confirm that you've chosen the right specialty. I always recommend going above and beyond the minimum required hours if you can.
Many allied health professions require state licensure, national certification, or both. Requirements vary by state and profession. For example, respiratory therapists must pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, while art therapists pursue credentials through the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Make sure you understand the requirements for your chosen field and location.
This is where we come in. At healthcareers.app, we've built a platform specifically designed to connect allied health professionals with employers who value their skills. I recommend creating a detailed profile that highlights your certifications, clinical experience, and any specialized training. Use our search filters to find roles that match your preferences for location, setting, and schedule.
The allied health field is evolving rapidly, and staying informed about trends can give you a competitive edge. Here are some developments I'm watching closely:
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth, and many allied health services — including mental health counseling, speech therapy, and art therapy — are now routinely delivered via virtual platforms. According to the National Institutes of Health (nih.gov), telehealth has demonstrated comparable outcomes to in-person care for many therapeutic services, which means more opportunities for allied health professionals to work remotely or in hybrid settings.
The mental health crisis in the United States has created surging demand for professionals who can provide therapeutic support. Art therapists, music therapists, recreational therapists, and other creative arts therapists are increasingly being integrated into interdisciplinary care teams. This is one of the fastest-growing niches I've seen on our platform.
With an aging population, the demand for vision care services is climbing. Practices like 716 Eye Care represent the kind of specialized settings where allied health professionals — including optometric technicians, ophthalmic medical technologists, and orthoptists — are in high demand. These roles offer excellent career stability and the satisfaction of directly improving patients' quality of life.
AI and advanced technology are transforming diagnostic imaging, laboratory analysis, and even therapy delivery. Allied health professionals who embrace technology and pursue continuing education in emerging tools will be best positioned for advancement.
Qualifications vary widely depending on the specific role. Some positions, like medical assisting or phlebotomy, require only a certificate or associate degree, while others, like physical therapy or art therapy, require a master's or doctoral degree. Most roles also require licensure or certification, which varies by state. I recommend checking the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for detailed information about specific roles.
An art therapist uses creative expression to help clients process emotions, manage stress, and address psychological challenges. To become an art therapist, you typically need a master's degree in art therapy from an accredited program, followed by supervised clinical hours and credentialing through the Art Therapy Credentials Board. It's a rewarding career that combines clinical mental health skills with artistic practice.
Salaries vary significantly by role, location, and experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median salaries range from around $35,000 for entry-level positions like medical assistants to over $95,000 for physical therapists. Many allied health roles also offer benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and continuing education support.
Absolutely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that healthcare occupations will grow by about 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, adding roughly 2 million new jobs. Allied health professions are a major part of this growth, driven by an aging population, increased access to healthcare, and expanding roles for non-physician providers.
Yes. Many allied health careers require only a certificate or two-year associate degree. Roles like surgical technologist, dental hygienist, medical laboratory technician, and optometric technician are accessible with less than four years of postsecondary education and still offer strong salaries and career advancement opportunities.
Allied health is one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich sectors in all of healthcare. Whether you're drawn to the precision of diagnostic imaging, the compassion of rehabilitation therapy, the creativity of art therapy, or the specialized care offered at practices like 716 Eye Care, there's a place for you in this field. I've watched thousands of healthcare professionals launch and grow their careers through healthcareers.app, and allied health roles consistently rank among the most satisfying and in-demand positions we list. The combination of meaningful work, competitive compensation, and strong job security makes allied health an exceptional career choice for 2025 and beyond. I encourage you to explore the opportunities available on our platform today — your next career chapter could be just one search away.
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