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.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Take your associate degree in an allied health field to the next level with this specialized transfer friendly online bachelor of science from Southern New Hampshire University.
In 2021-2022, allied health professions was the 18th most popular major nationwide with 83,905 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Allied Health Professions Schools ranking analyzes 981 of these 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 programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Take your associate degree in an allied health field to the next level with this specialized transfer friendly online bachelor of science from Southern New Hampshire University.
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.
allied health professions degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional allied health certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Allied Health degree levels vary. Allied Health Professions programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest allied health degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common allied health degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to allied health, with approximately 38.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for allied health workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 40.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 17.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 12.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 7.7% |
| Some College Courses | 5.9% |
Most workers in allied health have at least a associate degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in allied health professions have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which allied health career you choose.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your allied health degree? Allied Health Professions careers are expected to grow 19.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to allied health professions.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 285,400 | 15.1% |
| Respiratory Therapists | 160,600 | 23.3% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians | 152,900 | 19.6% |
| Physician Assistants | 145,900 | 37.4% |
Recently graduated allied health professions students earned an average of $64,397 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $8,285 to as high as $149,243. As you might expect, salaries for allied health graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for allied health professions graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers allied health grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Physician Assistants | $108,430 |
| Radiation Therapists | $86,730 |
| Nuclear Technicians | $79,970 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $78,870 |
With over 5,681 different allied health degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased allied health school rankings to help you with this.
One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Allied Health Professions has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) | 27,240 |
| Physician Assistant | 12,000 |
| Radiologic Technology | 10,633 |
| Surgical Technology | 7,412 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy | 6,569 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 319,502 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 88,600 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 85,339 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 83,587 |
| Public Health | 41,651 |
