Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Philadelphia
Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 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.
#61. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $26,970
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
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)
#60. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $29,770
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
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. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $30,200
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,490
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)
#58. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $31,670
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 37,970
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)
#57. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $31,970
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $33,230
- #213 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,000
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)
#55. Psychiatric technicians
- Annual mean salary: $33,880
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,170
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)
#54. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $34,060
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
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)

#53. Occupational therapy aides
- Annual mean salary: $34,300
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
#52. Medical assistants
- Annual mean salary: $35,310
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,360
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)
#51. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $36,490
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
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)
#50. Phlebotomists
- Annual mean salary: $36,790
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,800
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)

#49. Psychiatric aides
- Annual mean salary: $36,970
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,430
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)
#48. Medical equipment preparers
- Annual mean salary: $38,440
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,150
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. Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $38,800
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,520
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)
#46. Ophthalmic medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $38,820
- #83 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930
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)
#45. Dental assistants
- Annual mean salary: $42,260
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,030
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. Opticians, dispensing
- Annual mean salary: $42,780
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,020
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)
#43. Recreational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $44,380
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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)
#42. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $47,450
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,320
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)
#41. Surgical technologists
- Annual mean salary: $47,470
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,810
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)
#40. Exercise physiologists
- Annual mean salary: $48,850
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300
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)

#39. Hearing aid specialists
- Annual mean salary: $49,630
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)

#38. Athletic trainers
- Annual mean salary: $51,610
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
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)
#37. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Annual mean salary: $56,770
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,870
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)
#36. Physical therapist assistants
- Annual mean salary: $57,390
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,760
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)
#35. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $58,750
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,280
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. Radiologic technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $60,420
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,260
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)
#33. Occupational therapy assistants
- Annual mean salary: $61,520
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 750
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)
#32. Respiratory therapists
- Annual mean salary: $62,720
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,060
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)
#31. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Annual mean salary: $65,880
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,570
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)
#30. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Annual mean salary: $68,810
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950
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)
#29. Diagnostic medical sonographers
- Annual mean salary: $70,730
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
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)
#28. Genetic counselors
- Annual mean salary: $77,060
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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)

#27. Chiropractors
- Annual mean salary: $77,240
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
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)
#26. Orthotists and prosthetists
- Annual mean salary: $77,260
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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)
#25. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $77,640
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 71,120
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. Dental hygienists
- Annual mean salary: $78,450
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,180
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)
#23. Nuclear medicine technologists
- Annual mean salary: $79,030
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $82,070
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,030
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)
#21. Audiologists
- Annual mean salary: $82,570
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300
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)
#20. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $89,560
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,870
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)
#19. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $93,370
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
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)
#18. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $94,330
- #83 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,560
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)
#17. Nurse midwives
- Annual mean salary: $97,620
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
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)

#16. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $107,250
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,590
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. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $113,710
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,070
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)
#14. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $114,240
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820
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)
#13. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $126,590
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,850
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)
#12. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $138,740
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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)

#11. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $160,200
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760
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)
#10. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $175,230
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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)
#9. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $183,600
- #137 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,920
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)
#8. Pediatricians, general
- Annual mean salary: $197,920
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
#7. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $203,760
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,990
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)

#6. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $205,330
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950
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. General internal medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $229,460
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
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)
#4. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Annual mean salary: $254,900
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
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)

#3. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
- Annual mean salary: $264,750
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
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)
#2. Anesthesiologists
- Annual mean salary: $271,710
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
#1. Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Annual mean salary: $273,300
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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)



