by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you are interested in joining a career field that helps diagnose and treat specific medical problems, consider majoring in Allied Health Professions.
Allied Health professionals specialize in a specific area of the body or type of treatment to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating diseases. Students take classes in anatomy, microbiology, physiology, and health physics along with courses that are specific to the area of study you wish to pursue. Since Allied Health professionals work in a narrow niche of the medical world, you will spend most of your time taking classes that are pertinent to your concentration.
There are many areas students can specialize in. Some of the most popular are: Cardiovascular Technology, Emergency Medical Technology (EMT Paramedic), Medical Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Therapy, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Ultrasound Technician, Radiological Technology, Physician Assistant, Athletic Training, and many others.
A degree in Allied Health Professions explores Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions. Read on to learn the key facts every allied health professions major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering allied health professions programs.
In the U.S., allied health professions draws strong interest, with 90,379 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Allied Health Professions Schools ranking analyzes these 1,625 schools to determine the best overall colleges for allied health professions students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of allied health professions programs later in this article.
Studies in Allied Health Professions build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations allied health professions graduates commonly enter.
The Allied Health Professions major is rooted in science, making a background in biology, anatomy, and physiology helpful. Students who pursue this degree are strong critical and analytical thinkers since they must diagnose and devise a treatment plan for patients. Students also have strong communication and interpersonal skills as professionals interact daily with patients and must show compassion and understanding for people who are ill or concerned about procedures.
Allied Health professions are full time jobs in offices. Professionals usually work normal 40-hour workweeks, but may work holidays and weekends depending on the location of the job and medical emergencies.
Depending on the career path you intend to follow, you may only need an associate's degree to work in this field. However, you must be certified to practice. Certification requirements vary depending on the state, so it is best to research the requirements for the state you want to practice in.
The skill set developed in a allied health professions program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a allied health professions major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several allied health professions degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11,547 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 31,955 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,684 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 31,578 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 859 |
People currently working in careers related to allied health professions tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 24.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 15.9% |
| Master’s degree | 14.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.2% |
| Some college courses | 5.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in allied health professions careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are many unique specializations within the Allied Health Professions field leading graduates to find jobs at a variety of locations. Graduates typically find work at hospitals, medical diagnostic centers, physician offices, or specialized offices.
Majoring in allied health professions opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to allied health professions.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to allied health professions.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapists | 3,611,748 | 4.8% |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 3,388,429 | 3.2% |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | 3,384,397 | 13.3% |
| Patient Representatives | 3,368,169 | 4.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | 3,206,816 | 12.2% |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | 3,168,873 | 14.6% |
| Medical Dosimetrists | 3,118,939 | 10.8% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 2,908,248 | 9.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of allied health professions graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,845 |
| 4 years | $61,295 |
| 5 years | $69,015 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for allied health professions graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers allied health professions grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $153,940 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $153,819 |
| Surgical Assistants | $141,004 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $137,802 |
| Respiratory Therapists | $128,345 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $119,042 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistants | $116,229 |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | $115,968 |
With 1,625 different allied health professions programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased allied health professions school rankings to help you.
Students interested in allied health professions, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
