The Bureau for Labor Statistics has today (March 30th, 2018) released it’s most up to date salary reviews. These figures are compiled and released annually for over 800 occupations in the USA
So which careers among healthcare assistants and technicians saw the greatest increase?
| 2017 | 2016 | Increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Records Technician | $42,820 | $41,460 | 3.28% |
| Nursing Assistant | $28,540 | $27,650 | 3.22% |
| Home Health Aide | $24,280 | $23,600 | 2.88% |
1. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
- Average Salary (May 2017) – $48,220
- Up 3.28%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, also known as Medical Record Technicians or Health Information Technicians are responsible for creating and maintaining healthcare records and patient files in a manner that is secure, ethical and abiding by the most up to date policies and protocols. They predominantly find employment in hospitals, physicians’ offices and specialist nursing facilities.
If you are interested in working in a healthcare environment but do not like blood or needles then this could be a great career choice for you.
As the data below demonstrates average salaries for Medical Record Technicians saw an increase year on year of 3.28% and an increase of 5.91% since 2015.
The highest paying state for Medical Records and Health Information Technicians is Alabama with an average salary of $58,080 – a significant 35% above the national average.
There were 204,220 people employed in the sector in 2017, an increase of 2.04% from 2016.
2. Nursing Assistants
- Average Salary (May 2017) – $28,540
- Up 3.22%
Nursing Assistants provide direct patient care including taking vital signs, assisting the patient to move around and with personal care, etc. In a healthcare environment, they are typically the person who has the most contact with a patient and quite often the strongest relationship. If you are interested in pursuing this occupation as a career you will need to complete a State-approved Nursing Assistant Program.
The nationwide average salary for Nursing Assistants increased by 3.22% since 2016 and 6.41% since 2015.
There are 1,453,670 people employed in the sector, a slight increase of 0.73% from 2016.
The highest paying state is Alaska where Nursing Assistants can earn $37,950 – almost 33% above the national average.
Home Health Aides
- Average Salary (May 2017) – $24,280
- Up 2.88%
Home Health Aides provide necessary care and companionship for the elderly as well as vital nursing care and therapy for patients with chronic illnesses and disabilities. They also provide respite for full-time caregivers. Typically the care is delivered in the patient’s home.
Home Health Aide makes a great career choice for individuals who are less keen on working in a typical healthcare environment.
The average salary for Home Health Aides increased by 2.88% from 2016 to 2017 and by 6.17% since 2015.
The highest paying State for Home Health Aides is North Dakota with an average salary of $33,940 which is a massive 40% above the national average for the occupation.
There are 820,960 people employed in the sector, a slight increase of 0.82% from 2016.