The highest paying medical jobs without a bachelor’s degree include radiation therapist, nuclear medicine technologist, dental hygienist and diagnostic medical sonographer.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), their 2025 median pay ranges from about $48,000 to $105,000 a year. Three of the 12 jobs below typically need only a certificate, and nine typically need a two-year associate’s degree.
AdvertisementBelow are the pay, education, training and outlook for each job, a ranking table, tips to start and a checklist. Median pay means half of workers earn more and half earn less, so your own pay will vary, and nothing here is a promise of income.
Quick jump: All 12 jobsCertificate jobsAssociate’s degree jobsRegistered nursesHow to start
Highest Paying Medical Jobs Without a Bachelor’s Degree: Ranked
These BLS figures are May 2025 median annual wages, listed from highest to lowest. Some BLS profiles combine related jobs, as noted in each card.
| Job (BLS) | 2025 median pay | Typical entry-level education |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation therapists | $105,310 | Associate’s degree |
| Nuclear medicine technologists | $101,370 | Associate’s degree |
| Dental hygienists | $98,100 | Associate’s degree |
| Diagnostic medical sonographers | $96,590 | Associate’s degree |
| Respiratory therapists | $82,280 | Associate’s degree |
| Radiologic and MRI technologists | $81,390 | Associate’s degree |
| Cardiovascular technologists and technicians | $74,310 | Associate’s degree |
| Occupational therapy assistants | $72,300 | Associate’s degree |
| Physical therapist assistants | $68,380 | Associate’s degree |
| Surgical technologists (with surgical assistants) | $64,700 | Certificate or associate’s degree |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| EMTs and paramedics | $48,150 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
3 Medical Jobs You Can Start With a Certificate
These jobs typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, not a college degree.
1. Surgical Technologists
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award (a certificate or an associate’s degree)
Training: None
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 5% growth (faster than average), about 7,400 jobs
What they do: They prepare operating rooms and help surgical teams during operations.
2. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Training: State-approved program that typically takes about 1 year
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 3% growth (about as fast as average), about 19,700 jobs
What they do: They provide basic nursing care under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. A licensing exam follows the program.
3. EMTs and Paramedics
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Training: None
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 6% growth (faster than average), about 16,400 jobs
What they do: They respond to emergencies, assess patients and give medical care on the scene and during transport. This is the lowest paid job in the ranking, and a common first step into other medical work.
9 Medical Jobs That Typically Need an Associate’s Degree
These jobs need a two-year degree, not a bachelor’s degree. Programs are often offered at community colleges.
4. Radiation Therapists
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Training: None
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 3% growth (about as fast as average)
What they do: They operate equipment to deliver radiation treatments to patients with cancer or other serious illnesses.
5. Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Training: Not listed
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 4% growth (about as fast as average)
What they do: They mix radioactive medications and give them to patients so doctors can image the body or treat conditions.
6. Dental Hygienists
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Training: None
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 8% growth (much faster than average)
What they do: They screen patients for gum and other oral diseases and deliver preventive care, including teaching good oral hygiene.
7. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
2025 median pay: $96,590 a year
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Training: Not listed
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 14% growth (much faster than average)
What they do: Also called ultrasound technicians, they use ultrasound equipment to image the body’s interior so physicians can diagnose conditions.
8. Respiratory Therapists
2025 median pay: $82,280 a year
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Training: Not listed
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 9% growth (much faster than average)
What they do: They treat patients with breathing problems, such as those caused by asthma or COPD.
9. Radiologic and MRI Technologists
2025 median pay: $81,390 a year
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Training: Not listed
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 5% growth (faster than average)
What they do: They take diagnostic images of patients using x-ray equipment and magnetic resonance imaging scanners.
10. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
2025 median pay: $74,310 a year
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
Training: None
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 4% growth (about as fast as average), about 2,400 jobs
What they do: They perform tests on the heart and blood vessels, such as ultrasound exams, to help doctors diagnose problems.
11. Occupational Therapy Assistants
2025 median pay: $72,300 a year
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program
Training: Fieldwork is part of the program, and a state license is usually needed
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 21% growth (much faster than average), about 11,200 jobs
What they do: They help patients with injuries, illnesses or disabilities rebuild the skills they need for daily activities.
12. Physical Therapist Assistants
2025 median pay: $68,380 a year
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree from an accredited program, which typically takes about 2 years
Training: Supervised clinical work is part of the program, and a license or certification is typically needed
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035: 23% growth (much faster than average), about 26,200 jobs
What they do: They work under a physical therapist’s supervision to help patients regain movement and manage pain.
What About Registered Nurses?
BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for registered nurses, so they are not in the ranking. Nurses can also enter with an associate’s degree or a diploma from an approved program, and the median pay would place the job fourth on this list.
| Fact (BLS, registered nurses) | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2025 median pay | $97,550 a year |
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Other accepted paths | An associate’s degree (ADN or ASN) or a diploma from an approved program |
| License | Required in the state where you work |
| Job outlook, 2025 to 2035 | 6% (faster than average) |
How to Start in 5 Steps
Step 1. Pick Two or Three Jobs
Choose jobs that fit your interests, your budget and the time you can spend in school. Compare the median pay, the education and the job outlook in the table above.
Step 2. Check Accreditation and Licenses
Most of these jobs need a license or certification, and rules vary by state. BLS says licensed practical nurses must complete a state-approved program, and that physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy assistants complete accredited programs. Check your state board before you pay for training.
Step 3. Find a Program
Look for certificate programs and associate’s degree programs at community colleges and technical schools. BLS says a typical LPN program takes about 1 year and a physical therapist assistant program typically takes about 2 years.
Step 4. Plan for Clinical Training and the Exam
BLS says supervised clinical work or fieldwork is part of these programs, and most require a licensing or certification exam. Ask each school how it arranges clinical placements.
Step 5. Build a Simple Resume and Apply
Use Skills, Education and Volunteer Work with numbers, and show care, teamwork and reliability. Apply to several programs or openings, and ask people who work in the job what a normal week looks like.
Which Job Fits You?
| If you want | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The fastest start | LPNs, EMTs and paramedics, surgical technologists | Certificate or nondegree programs, such as about 1 year for LPNs |
| Imaging and technology | Sonographers, radiologic and MRI technologists, cardiovascular technologists | Associate’s degree programs lead into the field |
| Working with patients over time | Physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, respiratory therapists | Fast growth and clinical training |
| Cancer care or nuclear medicine | Radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists | The two highest median wages on the list |
| Preventive dental care | Dental hygienists | High pay and 8% growth |
How Education Affects Earnings
BLS reports 2025 median weekly earnings by education level for workers age 25 and over. These are overall figures for all jobs, not for the jobs above.
| Education level (age 25 and over, full-time) | Median usual weekly earnings, 2025 | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma | $966 | 4.3% |
| Some college, no degree | $1,062 | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree | $1,135 | 3.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | $1,578 | 2.8% |
| All workers | $1,268 | 3.4% |
What to Put on Your Resume
If you have no paid experience, use volunteer work, school projects and clinical hours, and show numbers you can back up.
| Resume section | What to add |
|---|---|
| Summary | Care, teamwork and reliability, plus one result with a number |
| Education and Certifications | Program, school, graduation year and CPR or Basic Life Support |
| Skills | Patient care, vital signs, equipment, charting, communication |
| Volunteer Work | One role with five numbered bullets, such as helping patients or residents at a clinic or senior living community |
| Additional Information | Languages, availability, driver’s license |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Picking a job by pay alone. Check the training time, the work and the outlook.
- Choosing a program that is not accredited. Licensure usually requires an accredited or state-approved program.
- Skipping license rules. Requirements vary by state.
- Ignoring the cost of school. Compare program costs with the pay.
- Expecting the median. Pay varies by state, employer and experience.
- Typos on your resume. Proofread twice.
Career Plan Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are on track when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest paying medical job without a bachelor’s degree?
Radiation therapists have the highest 2025 median pay on this list, $105,310 a year, and BLS says the typical entry-level education is an associate’s degree. Nuclear medicine technologists ($101,370) and dental hygienists ($98,100) follow.
Do any of these medical jobs need no degree at all?
Yes. BLS lists surgical technologists, licensed practical nurses and EMTs and paramedics as typically needing a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate. Surgical technologists can also enter with an associate’s degree. The other nine typically need an associate’s degree, which is a two-year degree, not a bachelor’s degree.
What does median pay mean?
Median pay is the middle wage: half of workers earn more and half earn less. Your pay depends on your state, employer, experience and hours, and nothing on this page is a promise of income.
How long does it take to start?
It varies by job. BLS says a state-approved LPN program typically takes about 1 year, and a physical therapist assistant program typically takes about 2 years. Associate’s degree programs are generally two-year degrees.
Do I need a license?
Most of these jobs need a license or certification, and the rules vary by state. BLS says LPNs, physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy assistants need state licenses or certification, typically after an accredited program and an exam. Check your state board.
Which of these jobs are growing fastest?
BLS projects 23% growth for physical therapist assistants, 21% for occupational therapy assistants, 14% for diagnostic medical sonographers, 9% for respiratory therapists and 8% for dental hygienists from 2025 to 2035. LPNs and radiation therapists are projected to grow 3%.
Can I become a registered nurse with an associate’s degree?
Yes. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education, but says nurses can also enter with an associate’s degree or a diploma from an approved program. The 2025 median pay for registered nurses is $97,550, and all states require a license.
How does education affect earnings overall?
BLS reports 2025 median weekly earnings of $966 for workers with a high school diploma, $1,135 with an associate’s degree and $1,578 with a bachelor’s degree, compared with $1,268 for all workers. These are overall figures, not job-specific.
Can I start with no experience?
Yes. The programs for these jobs include supervised clinical work or fieldwork, so you learn the hands-on skills during school. Use volunteer work or training hours on your resume.
What should I put on my resume?
Show care, teamwork, reliability and technical skills with numbers. If you have no paid experience, use volunteer work, school projects or clinical hours, and list CPR or Basic Life Support if you hold it.
Conclusion
You can reach a strong median wage in a medical career without a bachelor’s degree through a certificate or a two-year associate’s degree. Pick two or three jobs, check your state’s license rules and build a simple resume. Then use the checklist above to stay on track.
Related Reading
- Top 10 medical careers in demand in the USA
- Medical assistant programs compared
- How to become a certified medical coder and biller
- Physical therapist assistant job description, skills and salary
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Healthcare Occupations and the individual profiles for each job (May 2025 median pay, typical entry-level education, training and 2025 to 2035 projections); BLS Career Outlook, Education pays, 2025.