A Career and Technical Education (CTE) cluster in health science is offered at select Premier High Schools. There are a range of job opportunities in health science, while some require education beyond college, many occupations are open to those with certification or some college.
Below, we provide information about a few of the occupations within health science taken from the Texas Workforce Commission. When looking at a job it is important to understand that the required education level demanded for the role and the number of openings will determine the wage and eligibility. Growth in an industry often means there are more opportunities for students. The number of openings can determine the wage. Even if a job does not require extensive education, but has few openings, the job can be more competitive and pay a higher wage. For more information, visit Achieve Texas’ Health Science Magazine.
Below is a sampling of jobs in the area of health science.
Psychiatric Technician
- Job Description: Care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed individuals, following physician instructions and hospital procedures. Monitor patients’
physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. - Growth: 22%
- Average Wage: $27,134
- Openings: 100
- Education: Requires moderate-term on-the-job training. Most employees have some college.
Massage Therapist
- Job Description: Massage customers for health or restorative purposes.
- Growth: 23%
- Average Wage: $36,694
- Openings: 300
- Education: Requires a postsecondary certification. Most employees have some college.
Medical Records and Health Information Technician
- Job Description: Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system.
- Growth: 30%
- Average Wage: $37,020
- Openings: 920
- Education: Requires an associate’s degree. Most employees have some college.
Physical Therapist
- Job Description: Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and decrease or prevent complications among patients suffering from disease or injury.
- Growth: 32%
- Average Wage: $90,897
- Openings: 660
- Education: Requires a master’s degree.
Dentist, General
- Job Description: Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, and manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Growth: 13%
- Average Wage: $186,517
- Openings: 340
- Education: Requires doctoral/first professional degree.
The information provided about a sampling of occupations within health science is taken from the Texas Workforce Commission and provides averages that can vary with location and time spent working. For more information, visit Achieve Texas’ Health Science Magazine. While only five occupations are highlighted here, students can find more information at America’s Career InfoNet, Competency Model Clearinghouse, Occupational Information Network, and the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook.
