Whether you’re a pharmacist dispensing life-saving medication or an imaging professional using the latest technology to identify disease, allied health professionals play a crucial role in supporting doctors and nurses in healthcare settings. But do you know which allied health clinicians make the most money? We’ve analyzed median salary data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and determined the eight highest-paying allied health specialties. See if your specialty made the list—and learn how you can potentially make even more money as a travel allied health clinician with Barton Healthcare Staffing.Â
1. Pharmacists
Pharmacists work alongside doctors and other healthcare professionals to dispense medication and educate patients on drug interactions and side effects. According to the BLS, pharmacists made a median salary of $132,750 in 2022, which is the highest earning of all the allied health specialties.Â
On average, travel pharmacists make almost 94% more money than the average permanent pharmacists across all industries. This is because facilities who are dealing with staffing shortages are in need of extra hands quickly, which allows for the negotiation of more competitive rates, leading to a higher earning potential for the clinician. BHS staffs travel pharmacists across the country, check out our open positions on our job board.Â
2. Medical Dosimetrists
Medical dosimetrists work as part of a medical oncology team, using radiology skills to formulate radiation dosage plans for patients suffering from cancer. According to the BLS, these medical professionals made a median salary of $128,970 in 2022. Similar to pharmacists, medical dosimetrists who choose the travel clinician life could make more than their permanent counterparts. Check out our job board to find open dosimetrist jobs.Â
3. Physical Therapists
Physical therapists play a critical role in helping people regain normal movement of their limbs after an accident or major surgery. These clinicians see a wide variety of patients, from athletes to the elderly, and provide an important medical service.Â
According to the BLS, these medical professionals made a median salary of $97,720 in 2022. Our data shows that travel physical therapists, however, make 8.4% more on average than those on a staff salary. We have many travel physical therapist jobs available—check out our job board to learn more.Â
4. Occupational Therapists
Instead of primarily helping patients regain physical motion, occupational therapists treat the mental, physical, or emotional barriers that prevent patients from performing normal, everyday tasks. According to the BLS, occupational therapists made a median salary of $93,180 in 2022.Â
Travel occupational therapists often have higher pay than those in staff positions—14.7% more, according to our data. Check out our job board to find your next travel occupational therapist job!
5. Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists put the treatment plans medical dosimetrists draw up in action, using complex machinery to deliver radiation therapy to cancer patients. According to the BLS, radiation therapists made a median salary of $89,530 in 2022. And, similar to the rest of the specialties on this list, our data shows that travel radiation therapists can make 62.2% more than those in staff positions.
6. Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists are responsible for administering radioactive drugs and using imaging techniques to analyze how they react in the body and identify disease. In 2022, nuclear medicine technologists made a median salary of $85,300, according to the BLS. Our data shows that travel nuclear medicine technologists on temporary assignments can make up to 85.5% more than those in staff positions.Â
7. Speech Language Pathologists
People with speech, voice, or language disorders often see a speech language pathologist for therapeutic treatment. In 2022, these allied health clinicians made a median salary of $84,140, according to the BLS—but our data shows that travel pathologists can make 35.5% more than those in permanent positions. Check out our job board for our open travel speech language pathologist positions.Â
8. Audiologists
Audiologists are similar to speech language pathologists, but they focus on treating hearing, balance, and other ear problems in patients. According to the BLS, audiologists made a median salary of $82,680, yet like all of the other specialties on this list, travel audiologists have a greater opportunity to make more money than at a permanent position.Â
Partner with BHS
Are you an allied health professional who is skilled in one of these specialties? Are you looking for a new way to see the country, help people who need it, and potentially make more money than staff medical professionals? We have plenty of openings on our job board—apply today!