Career clusters

Careers in healthcare and human services are primarily focused around helping people and communities to thrive. Find out if this cluster might be a good fit for you by thinking about how many of the following statements apply to you.

Things I like to do:

• Help people feel better
• Learn about the body or medicine
• Have caring conversations with people
• Give first aid or do wellness activities
• Volunteer or care for others

Ways to describe me:

• I'm caring and patient
• I like science and health
• I'm a good listener
• I stay calm in tough situations
• I like making a difference

Problems I want to solve:

• How can we take care of people who are sick?
• How do we help people live healthier lives?
• How can we support mental health?
• How do we respond in emergencies?
• How do we make sure everyone gets care in their communities?

Source: The National Career Clusters Framework Career Interest Survey from Advance CTE

Careers in this cluster often involve direct service with a wide variety of people. Work environments can be fast-paced, but many jobs also include lots of documentation and administrative tasks. Healthcare work can require many hours on your feet and frequent multitasking.

Explore careers by their typical level of education below. Click on a career title for an occupation profile with average pay, typical tasks, and more, plus links to training programs that can help you prepare

High school diploma or less, plus some training

Some careers require only brief training or on-the-job experience. Explore some options:

Childcare workers

Orderlies

Pharmacy aides

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Dietetic technicians

Home health aides

Psychiatric aides

Social and human service assistants

Short-term certificate or associate’s degree

You can qualify for many health and human servies careers with training from a few months to two years.

Paramedics

Radiologic technologists and technicians

Veterinary technologists and technicians

Phlebotomists

Speech-language pathology assistants

Dental hygienists

Hearing aid specialists

Licensed practical nurses

Medical assistants

Nursing assistants

Occupational therapy assistants

Opticians

Pharmacy technicians

Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Massage therapists

Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers

Spa managers

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship is a great way to earn a wage while gaining recognized credentials for a career. An apprenticeship is a paid work-based training program that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction. Visit Apprenticeship.gov and select "Healthcare" to learn more.

Bachelor's degree

These healthcare and human services jobs require a four-year degree and, often, licensure or certification.

Registered nurses

Exercise physiologists

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists

Midwives

Music therapists

Recreational therapists

Rehabilitation counselors

Child, family, and school social workers

Community health workers

Health education specialists

Graduate degree

Below are careers that usually require a graduate degree, licensure, and/or board certifications.

Clinical and counseling psychologists

Marriage and family therapists

Mental health and substance abuse social workers

School psychologists

Acupuncturists

Audiologists

Dentists

Dietitians and nutritionists

Epidemiologists

Genetic counselors

Nurse practitioners

Occupational therapists

Optometrists

Pharmacists

Physical therapists

Physician assistants

Radiologists

Speech-language pathologists

Veterinarians