Your Mother Was Right: You Should Have Been a Doctor

By Eileen McNamara

Connecticut's aging population and an expansion in long term care options are combining forces in this state to bring about a sharp increase in health care jobs here in coming years. 

From home health aides to emergency room doctors, jobs in the medical professions are going to be in even greater demand in Connecticut.

“Right now, anybody who does home health care or nursing is hot,” Peter Gioia, an economist at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, told the Connecticut Mirror website. 

According to a report on the Mirror, here are some of the top jobs that will be in high demand in Connecticut in coming years: 

Pharmacist

• Salary: $79,000 - $120,000
• Education: 6-year degree beyond high school.

Health information systems analyst

• Salary: $58,000-$102,000
• Education: Bachelor’s degree

Medical Assistant

• Salary: $34,400
• Education: Certification program or associate’s degree

Personal care aide

• Salary: $10/hour
• Education: No requirements.

Home health aide

• Salary: $28,799
• Education: High School

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

• Salary range: $70,000-$135,000
• Education: Master’s degree

Health information systems analyst

• Salary: $58,000-$102,000
• Education: Bachelor’s degree

Medical coder

• Salary: $36,000-$63,000
• Education: Certification program or associate’s degree.

Medical Assistant

• Salary: $34,400
• Education: Certification program or associate’s degree

Psychiatrist

• Salary: $189,364
• Education: Medical School and Internship/residency

Substance Abuse and behavioral disorder counselor

• Salary: $44,867
• Education: High School

Occupational Therapists

• Salary: $81,011
• Education: Master’s degree

Speech Therapists

• Salary: $80,849
• Education: Master’s degree

Primary care physician

• Salary: $160,00-$170,000
• Education: Medical school and three years of training/residency.

Hospitalist

• Salary: $190,000-$238,000
• Education: Medical school and three years of training

Emergency Room Physician

• Salary: $260,000
• Education: Medical school and at least three years' residency.