Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Cleveland
Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Cleveland
Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.
As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Cleveland-Elyria, OH using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.
#60. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $26,900
- #176 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)
#59. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $28,200
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- Employment: 37,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($46,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,430)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($42,620)
#58. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $28,970
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Savannah, GA ($50,470)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($44,720)
--- Boulder, CO ($41,450)
#57. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $29,580
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,180
- Employment: 29,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN ($52,880)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($45,910)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,730)
#56. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $29,600
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
#55. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $29,830
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($51,240)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($49,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,730)

#54. Psychiatric aides
- Annual mean salary: $31,330
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,590
- Employment: 55,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($48,280)
--- Rochester, NY ($45,890)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($45,010)
#53. Psychiatric technicians
- Annual mean salary: $31,540
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)
#52. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $33,800
- #188 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,160
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
#51. Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $34,830
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
#50. Medical assistants
- Annual mean salary: $35,070
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,360
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)

#49. Occupational therapy aides
- Annual mean salary: $36,800
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,310
- Employment: 7,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($66,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,740)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($43,240)
#48. Medical equipment preparers
- Annual mean salary: $37,070
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)
#47. Phlebotomists
- Annual mean salary: $37,640
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
#46. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $38,910
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)
#45. Dental assistants
- Annual mean salary: $40,670
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,930
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)
#44. Ophthalmic medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $41,850
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
#43. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $42,280
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
#42. Opticians, dispensing
- Annual mean salary: $47,460
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 750
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)

#41. Hearing aid specialists
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,360
- Employment: 8,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($91,510)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($77,450)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($75,800)
#40. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Annual mean salary: $48,800
- #123 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
#39. Recreational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $50,410
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,130
- Employment: 19,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($83,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,800)
--- Fresno, CA ($82,170)
#38. Surgical technologists
- Annual mean salary: $50,500
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 750
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)

#37. Athletic trainers
- Annual mean salary: $51,240
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,540
- Employment: 28,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($73,250)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($66,390)
--- Trenton, NJ ($65,320)
#36. Exercise physiologists
- Annual mean salary: $54,370
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,750
- Employment: 7,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($184,950)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($88,760)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($69,300)
#35. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $54,800
- #99 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- Employment: 56,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($106,620)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($103,050)
--- Medford, OR ($82,780)
#34. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Annual mean salary: $57,080
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)
#33. Respiratory therapists
- Annual mean salary: $59,660
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
#32. Occupational therapy assistants
- Annual mean salary: $61,070
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 840
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
#31. Radiologic technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $61,500
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
#30. Physical therapist assistants
- Annual mean salary: $61,720
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)
#29. Orthotists and prosthetists
- Annual mean salary: $64,450
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,810
- Employment: 9,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($129,500)
--- Jackson, MS ($122,740)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($103,700)
#28. Dental hygienists
- Annual mean salary: $66,360
- #255 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,380
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)
#27. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Annual mean salary: $69,020
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
#26. Diagnostic medical sonographers
- Annual mean salary: $69,150
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
#25. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $71,650
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 25,600
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
#24. Audiologists
- Annual mean salary: $75,200
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)
#23. Nuclear medicine technologists
- Annual mean salary: $78,370
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- Employment: 18,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,340)
#22. Genetic counselors
- Annual mean salary: $78,660
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,310
- Employment: 2,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,000)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,210)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($100,580)
#21. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $80,030
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,620
- Employment: 17,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($142,300)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($126,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,720)
#20. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $82,620
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
#19. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $87,390
- #209 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
#18. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $88,910
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)

#17. Chiropractors
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)

#16. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $101,430
- #276 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
#15. Nurse midwives
- Annual mean salary: $102,850
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,810
- Employment: 6,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($163,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($156,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($130,140)
#14. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $110,400
- #147 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,940
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
#13. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $111,200
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)

#12. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $117,630
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
#11. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $126,150
- #179 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,390
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
#10. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $130,460
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 920
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
#9. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $160,210
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $142,680
- Employment: 9,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($222,760)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($206,190)
--- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA ($200,200)
#8. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $161,930
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
#7. General internal medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $162,700
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)

#6. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $174,130
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)
#5. Pediatricians, general
- Annual mean salary: $185,340
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
#4. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $203,340
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 900
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
#3. Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Annual mean salary: $253,660
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $233,610
- Employment: 18,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville, NC ($284,520)
--- Akron, OH ($282,650)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($281,800)

#2. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
- Annual mean salary: $275,880
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $252,040
- Employment: 36,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($285,230)
--- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($285,210)
--- Asheville, NC ($284,780)
#1. Anesthesiologists
- Annual mean salary: $275,940
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $261,730
- Employment: 31,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($283,660)
--- Tulsa, OK ($281,080)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($276,350)

