Best Healthcare Jobs in the United States for Foreigners

If you’re an ex-pat, the United States might seem like a land of opportunity. While there are plenty of opportunities for those with some capital and an entrepreneurial spirit, many people can’t afford to move to a new country. In that case, you might be tempted to look into jobs in the healthcare industry in the United States. This is especially true if your home country isn’t known for its medical care or hospitals. These jobs can be challenging, but they also provide great advancement opportunities if you take the right steps. Healthcare jobs can lead to other career paths as well, especially if you enjoy working with others on a daily basis and helping people in need.

With nearly 50 million immigrants living in the United States, there’s no shortage of opportunities for foreign nurses and other healthcare professionals to work in the U.S. In fact, there’s so much demand for skilled workers that several major U.S. healthcare organizations are now hiring foreigners as nurses and other medical support staff. If you want to take advantage of these job openings, it’s important to understand where the demand is coming from. In fact, a survey has shown that over half a million foreign citizens have moved to the United States specifically because they want to work in an occupation where they will be paid more money than at home. Whether you are coming from Europe or Asia or even Africa, there are many opportunities available for you if you want to seek them out.

Best Healthcare Jobs in the United States

The United States is a global leader in healthcare, with some of the best hospitals, research centers, and clinical practices in the world clustered here. With more than 300 million residents, vast disposable income, high levels of education and literacy rates, and an emphasis on personal responsibility and free market entrepreneurship, Americans value high-quality health care services above all else—and they are willing to pay for them! That said, many Americans also have a deep affinity for their country’s culture and history as well as its protected natural resources like national parks and wildlife preserves.

As such, there has been a growing push over the past decade or so for U.S.-based healthcare organizations to hire people who were born or raised within its borders instead of relying on cheap labor from abroad to meet their staff needs. Here are the top healthcare jobs in the US according to USNews.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners are health care providers who work with a wide range of patients and provide cost-effectively and quality care from maintenance and prevention to treating injury and illness. Nurse practitioners are handsomely paid for their work, with the top 50% taking home six-figure salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 52.2 percent employment growth for nurse practitioners between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 114,900 jobs should open up. Nurse Practitioners made a median salary of $111,680 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $130,240 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $94,890.

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants will work most closely with Medical Doctors. They will also work with other medical staff, such as Registered Nurses or Medical Technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 31.0 percent employment growth for physician assistants between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 40,100 jobs should open up. Physician Assistants made a median salary of $115,390 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $135,220 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $95,730.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech and language therapists provide life-changing treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing. You'll help people who, for physical or psychological reasons, have problems speaking and communicating. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 28.7 percent employment growth for speech-language pathologists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 45,400 jobs should open up. Speech-Language Pathologists made a median salary of $80,480 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $101,110 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $62,790.

Physician

Physicians – also known as primary care doctors – are a patient’s first stop when flu symptoms arise, an irregular mole or lump appears, a headache won’t subside, or any number of other health questions come up. Physicians are trained to take a patient’s medical history and order tests to identify any irregularities. Based on the exams and test results, physicians might prescribe medication or a treatment plan. They also answer questions patients have related to their health, and they offer advice for healthy living. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.5 percent employment growth for physicians between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 18,700 jobs should open up. Physicians made a median salary of $208,000 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $208,000 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $126,470.

Registered Nurse

A registered nurse, or RN, typically monitors patients, administers medications, keeps records, consults with healthcare providers, educates patients, and more. They typically do not need to meet the master's degree requirement of a nurse practitioner. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.0 percent employment growth for registered nurses between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 276,800 jobs should open up. Registered Nurses made a median salary of $75,330 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $93,590 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $61,630.

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapists care for patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or emphysema. They work to improve their patient's lung function, and in some cases, provide ventilator support through artificial breathing machines if needed. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 23.0 percent employment growth for respiratory therapists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 31,100 jobs should open up. Respiratory Therapists made a median salary of $62,810 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $75,950 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $54,170.

Nurse Anesthetist

A Nurse Anesthetist administers pain medications before, during, and after surgery to keep patients as comfortable as possible. They constantly monitor every biological function of their patient's body with the help of anesthesia. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12.6 percent employment growth for nurse anesthetists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 5,600 jobs should open up. Nurse Anesthetists made a median salary of $183,580 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $208,000 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $154,540.

Veterinarian

Veterinarians are responsible for providing animals with medical and dietary care when needed most. They work to maintain a high standard of excellence in both their professional skills and personal conduct to deliver compassionate treatment recommendations tailored specifically toward a pet's needs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16.8 percent employment growth for veterinarians between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 14,500 jobs should open up. Veterinarians made a median salary of $99,250 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $126,260 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $79,430.

Physical Therapists

Physical Therapists help patients regain their range of motion while also managing pain well enough so they can live a full life with as few limitations as possible. They will also educate about staying fit in order to prevent future injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 20.5 percent employment growth for physical therapists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 49,100 jobs should open up. Physical Therapists made a median salary of $91,010 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $106,060 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $75,360.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help injured, ill, or disabled patients recover from their ailments. They organize and recondition skills needed for daily living healthily. They also teach these individuals how to maintain recovery over time without needing professional assistance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17.5 percent employment growth for occupational therapists between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 23,000 jobs should open up. Occupational Therapists made a median salary of $86,280 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $103,060 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $70,880.

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