Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Grand Rapids
Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Grand Rapids
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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI 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.
#50. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $25,310
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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)
#49. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $26,300
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
#48. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $27,980
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
#47. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $28,440
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
#46. Psychiatric technicians
- Annual mean salary: $28,570
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
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)
#45. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $29,470
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,970
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)
#44. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $32,720
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
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)
#43. Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $33,130
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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)
#42. Medical equipment preparers
- Annual mean salary: $33,580
- #135 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
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)
#41. Medical assistants
- Annual mean salary: $34,510
- #149 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,500
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)
#40. Phlebotomists
- Annual mean salary: $34,930
- #116 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420
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)
#39. Ophthalmic medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $34,950
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
#38. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $35,620
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
#37. Opticians, dispensing
- Annual mean salary: $38,290
- #137 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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)
#36. Surgical technologists
- Annual mean salary: $42,140
- #215 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
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)
#35. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $42,940
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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)
#34. Recreational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $44,350
- #83 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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)
#33. Dental assistants
- Annual mean salary: $44,600
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,000
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)
#32. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Annual mean salary: $46,780
- #166 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,780
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)
#31. Exercise physiologists
- Annual mean salary: $47,910
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)

#30. Athletic trainers
- Annual mean salary: $48,030
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
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)

#29. Chiropractors
- Annual mean salary: $51,160
- #140 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#28. Occupational therapy assistants
- Annual mean salary: $51,290
- #169 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
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)
#27. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $52,940
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
#26. Physical therapist assistants
- Annual mean salary: $53,230
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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)
#25. Radiologic technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $53,910
- #247 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
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)
#24. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Annual mean salary: $56,380
- #192 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
#23. Respiratory therapists
- Annual mean salary: $58,360
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
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)
#22. Diagnostic medical sonographers
- Annual mean salary: $60,960
- #221 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
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)
#21. Orthotists and prosthetists
- Annual mean salary: $62,800
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
#20. Dental hygienists
- Annual mean salary: $63,180
- #290 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,070
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)
#19. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Annual mean salary: $66,990
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
#18. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $68,220
- #188 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,820
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)
#17. Nuclear medicine technologists
- Annual mean salary: $71,580
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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)
#16. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $72,080
- #311 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
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)
#15. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $74,340
- #226 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 610
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)
#14. Audiologists
- Annual mean salary: $76,430
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
#13. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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)
#12. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $86,830
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980
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)
#11. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $90,640
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)

#10. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $102,790
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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)
#9. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $107,710
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
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)
#8. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $119,950
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
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)
#7. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $121,700
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
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)

#6. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $152,230
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
#5. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $154,410
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)

#4. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $224,870
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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)
#3. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $236,790
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
#2. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $238,540
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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)
#1. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Annual mean salary: $255,360
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $237,570
- Employment: 4,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI ($255,360)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($254,900)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($237,850)



