Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Waco

Written by:
February 17, 2021
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Waco

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 Waco, TX 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.

1 / 28
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#28. Nursing assistants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $27,250
- #279 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010

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)
2 / 28
Rido // Shutterstock

#27. Opticians, dispensing

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,290
- #267 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

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)
3 / 28
Canva

#26. Medical equipment preparers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,750
- #184 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

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)
4 / 28
Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock

#25. Veterinary technologists and technicians

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $30,960
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

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)
5 / 28
Milkovasa // Shutterstock

#24. Medical assistants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $32,130
- #258 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,050

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)
6 / 28
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#23. Phlebotomists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $34,060
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

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)
7 / 28
Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#22. Dental assistants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $35,920
- #304 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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)
8 / 28
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#21. Pharmacy technicians

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $35,940
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

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)
9 / 28
Canva

#20. Ophthalmic medical technicians

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $36,500
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

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)
10 / 28
Gerain0812 // Shutterstock

#19. Surgical technologists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $41,920
- #220 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

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)
11 / 28
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#18. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $46,240
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740

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)
12 / 28
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock

#17. Respiratory therapists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $55,940
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

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)
13 / 28
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#16. Athletic trainers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $57,580
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

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)
14 / 28
lenetstan // Shutterstock

#15. Radiologic technologists and technicians

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $58,550
- #147 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150

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)
15 / 28
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#14. Registered nurses

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $66,590
- #225 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,160

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)
16 / 28
Canva

#13. Physical therapist assistants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $69,660
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

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)
17 / 28
Canva

#12. Occupational therapy assistants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $70,510
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

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)
18 / 28
Canva

#11. Dental hygienists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $70,800
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

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 / 28
Canva

#10. Speech-language pathologists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $76,010
- #199 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

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)
20 / 28
SofikoS // Shutterstock

#9. Diagnostic medical sonographers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $77,030
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

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 / 28
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

#8. Physical therapists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $86,150
- #232 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320

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)
22 / 28
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

#7. Occupational therapists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $89,610
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

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)
23 / 28
Austin Community College // Flickr

#6. Veterinarians

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $108,240
- #99 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

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)
24 / 28
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. Nurse practitioners

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $110,320
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

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)
25 / 28
Ohiodominican // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Physician assistants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $113,090
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

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)
26 / 28
Grace Nichols // U.S. Air Force

#3. Pharmacists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $123,240
- #235 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

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)
27 / 28
Canva

#2. General internal medicine physicians

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $216,710
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

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)
28 / 28
Canva

#1. Family medicine physicians

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $229,910
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

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)

Trending Now