Healthcare Careers with an Associate's Degree: Your Path to Success

An associate degree program in applied science in healthcare can open a lot of career opportunities for someone wanting to get their foot in the door of the healthcare industry. Whether you have a passion for caring for others or you're interested in a high-paying career with excellent job security, an associate degree in healthcare provides an excellent jumping-off point for many exciting options.

The benefit of an associate’s degree is that it offers students a quick route to a professional position. Students can complete an associate’s degree in just about two years. The associate’s degree can be found offered at community colleges, vocational schools and technical schools. More often than not, an associate’s degree program graduate is prepared for a position in their field of study immediately upon graduation.

The Value of an Associate's Degree in Healthcare

If you are at all on the fence between earning an associate’s degree or finding a job with your high school diploma or GED, review the annual and lifetime earnings for each and then you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision. The U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Science released data showing that those with a high school diploma earn around $27,960 a year compared to those with an associate’s degree who earn about $36,400 a year. Over a lifetime, someone who does not pursue higher education beyond a GED or high school diploma is projected to earn 1.2 million dollars, whereas someone who has earned an associate’s degree and is projected to earn 1.6 million dollars. That is a significant difference.

Depending on the associate’s degree program, credits can later transfer towards a bachelor’s degree if and when the individual decides to return to school. Frequently, those who have earned their associate’s degree will return to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related subject or in a field that they know will help them pursue their career goals. This becomes an even more critical consideration for those pursuing an LPN/LVN degree or an associate’s degree in nursing, where each state has registered and practical/vocational nursing licensing and education requirements.

Considering Professional Certifications

Professional certification eligibility is also an important consideration. Make sure to thoroughly research the career you are interested in including all professional certifications and credentials required to reach the pinnacle of the career. Some certification bodies, such as the American Association of Medical Assistants, requires the completion of an ABHES or CAAHEP accredited program for eligibility to sit for their Certified Medical Assistant exam. This way you will know exactly what program and education you should be looking for.

Top Healthcare Careers with an Associate's Degree

Here are 10 healthcare careers that require accreditation and an associate degree in healthcare:

• Medical Assistants: Medical assistants are a vital part of the healthcare industry. They’re responsible for performing basic healthcare-related tasks, such as bringing patients into a room to see a provider, taking vital signs, collecting lab specimens, and communicating with providers and patients. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for medical assistants was $37,190 in May 2021, with the top 10% earning more than $51,850 and the lowest 10% earning less than $26,930. Furthermore, the job outlook for medical assistants is projected to grow by 16% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations, due to an aging population and an increase in the demand for healthcare services. This makes pursuing a career as a medical assistant a promising option.
• Medical Coders and Billers: Also known as medical records and health information technicians, medical coders and billers assign codes to patient records and manage patient information, enabling the proper billing of insurance agencies and patients for healthcare services. The median annual wage for medical records specialists was $46,660 in May 2021, with employment projected to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. With an associate degree in healthcare, this career path could be an excellent route for you.
• Medical Secretaries: Medical secretaries perform important duties in healthcare settings such as answering phones, typing correspondence, and scheduling appointments to ensure smooth office operations. The average medical secretary salary in the US is $42,767, and the job outlook is positive, with a projected 11% employment growth between 2020 and 2030. If you have an associate degree and you have a talent for organization and love communicating with others, you should consider pursuing a job as a medical secretary.
• Medical Transcriptionists: Medical transcriptionists are responsible for interpreting and transcribing physicians’ reports and diagnoses, listening to voice recordings, converting them into written documentation, and coding them if applicable. Medical transcriptionists must have a solid understanding of medical terminology and be able to accurately transcribe medical language. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for medical transcriptionists was $30,100 in May 2021. Although employment for this role is projected to decline by 7% from 2021 to 2031, it can still be a rewarding career with many benefits, including its flexibility, opportunities for advancement, competitive salary, and abundance of entry-level positions.
• Medical Customer Service Representatives: Medical customer service representatives play a vital role in medical offices, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and similar healthcare facilities by answering and responding to calls from patients and prescribers’ offices to refill medications, schedule deliveries, and answer questions. The average healthcare customer service representative salary in the U.S. is $35,991, with the salary range typically falling between $32,153 and $40,365. Although employment of customer service representatives is projected to decline by 4% from 2021 to 2031, this role has great earning potential, offers opportunities for advancement, and allows you to make a difference in people’s lives.
• Health Office Coordinators: Health office coordinators ensure the office runs smoothly and efficiently by overseeing various components of healthcare facilities, including payments, secretarial staff, health insurance, and hiring staff. The average medical office manager's salary is $51,216.

The field of healthcare administration is extremely broad, with numerous specialties and lots of room for career growth. Many healthcare administration roles offer a high salary, no weekend or holiday work, benefits, and the opportunity for upward career growth. If you hold an associate degree in healthcare, then you’re in a great position to pursue a variety of roles, including as a medical assistant, health office coordinator, patient services representative, and more. If you aspire to maximize your income and knowledge of the healthcare industry, you can pursue your bachelor’s degree while working in one of these roles. In some cases, employers will even help you pay for your advanced degree.

Additional Career Opportunities and Certification Requirements