Job security is very important in today’s world, and one of the most secure job fields is the medical field. Medical professionals are needed in virtually every part of the world, and all cultures have doctors of some type. Although every occupation in the medical field is important and needed, there are some healthcare careers that are usually in higher demand than others. If you’re planning on pursuing a career in medicine and aren’t sure which path to take, here are six of the most in-demand medical careers, their average annual salaries, and where to find medical jobs.

#1: Dentists and Dental Hygienists

Dentists diagnose and treat issues related to the teeth and gums, while dental hygienists actually clean the teeth. They work together to provide proper patient care. Because they perform several oral procedures, dentists are some of the highest-paid medical professionals, making more than $230,000 per year on average. Dental hygienists make over $79,000 per year, on average.

#2: Dietitians

Dietitians create specialized dietary plans for their patients to help with certain medical conditions or just to stay healthy in general. Because more and more people are trying to take better care of themselves, dietitians are more in-demand. They typically work in weight loss centers, hospitals, or other clinical settings. UTA’s RN to NP program can provide registered nurses with the necessary education and skills to become nurse practitioners – a highly in-demand and versatile profession that allows for a variety of career opportunities. A dietitian’s average annual salary is about $47,000.

#3: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

EMTs are arguably the most important medical professionals due to the fact that they provide emergency care to those in need in hospitals, ambulances, and many other places. Because of this, they must be familiar with a variety of medical conditions to provide the best care for their patients. EMTs work with other first responders (police, firefighters, etc.) and make an average of $43,500 per year.

#4: Mental Health Therapists

Mental health therapists are clinically trained to assess one’s mental health and provide special treatment. They cannot, however, prescribe medication— only medical doctors (including psychiatrists) can do this. Like physical health, more and more people are becoming increasingly aware of their mental health and are trying to take better care of it, making mental health therapists in high demand right now. There are also many different types of therapy that can be used:

• Art therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Marriage and family therapy
• Music therapy
• Play therapy (usually used for kids)

Salaries vary based on the type of therapy you practice, but generally, their average salary is about $48,500 per year.

#5: Nurses

Like therapists, there are many different types of nurses— and each type of nurse is in high demand. One of the most in-demand types of nurses is a nurse practitioner (NP). Their job is more similar to that of a physician because they can do just about everything a physician can do. They can open their own private medical practice, work in hospitals, and many other clinical settings.

Registered nurses (RNs) are also in high demand. They are primarily responsible for patient care in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other medical settings. Other types of nurses in high-demand include:

• Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
• Labor and delivery nurse
• Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• Nurse case manager

Again, these salaries vary based on the type of nurse, but nurse practitioners are the highest-paid nurses, making an average of 119,700 per year. Registered nurses are pretty well-paid too, making an average of $78,400 per year.

#6: Physician and Physician Assistants

Physicians (also known as doctors) and physician assistants (PAs) are some of the most employed medical professionals, after nurses. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients, and some may even perform surgeries depending on the type of physician they are. PAs also do these things but under the supervision of a physician. A physician’s salary depends on the type of physician they are, but the average annual salary for a PA is $107,000.

Some of the most in-demand physicians include:

• Anesthesiologists
• Family physicians
• Internists (internal medicine doctors)
• Neurologists
• Obstetricians/Gynecologists (OB/GYN)
• Pediatricians
• Psychiatrists
• Radiologists

You can find any of these physician jobs (and other healthcare jobs) on healthcare-specific job search sites that are always looking to recruit physicians and other medical professionals.

If you’re planning on pursuing a career in medicine, you have a variety of options to choose from. Overall, just about every job in healthcare is in high demand and will be for years to come, but these six are currently in the top.