If you are looking to gain a career in therapy, you have a variety of options based upon what area of the body you are working with and what types of patients you will have.
Below are some of the best-paying positions that are both in high demand and rewarding career options.
1. Massage Therapist
Why Become a Massage Therapist?
If you want a therapy career that only requires a certification, then massage therapy is right for you.
By working with your hands, you can provide quality relief to your patients in as little as six months of training.
This is one of the fastest-growing with over a 20 percent outlook and an average salary of almost $50,000 annually.
In many cases, these therapists open their own shops and set their own prices, making as much as they want each year.
| Massage Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $49,260 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $23.68 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
2. Pediatric Therapist
Why Become a Pediatric Therapist?
If you love children and want to help them advance their skills, then consider being a pediatric therapist.
There is only a 2-3 year requirement in this position, where you gain an Associate degree understanding these children and the skills they need to develop.
This position also has a high demand with a 22 percent outlook, and an average salary of around $86,000 annually.
| Pediatric Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $89,470 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $43.02 |
| Education | 2-3 Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Pediatric Therapist
3. Physical Therapist
Why Become a Physical Therapist?
If you want to become a physical therapist, helping those after surgery or an accident regain their complete mobility, then you will need a degree in physical therapy at the undergraduate or graduate level.
This career has an average salary of around $95,000 annually and is continuing to maintain stability with a 20 percent demand outlook over the next few years.
| Physical Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $92,920 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $44.67 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Physical Therapist
4. Physiotherapist
Why Become a Physiotherapist?
The physiotherapist is a licensed version of the physical therapist, requiring licensing and internship.
This position is allowed to provide outlined therapy plans for patients and oversee that they are meeting their goals.
A minimum of a graduate degree is required, and this outlook is also in the high expectancy.
Those just starting out begin around $50,000 annually and continue to grow their salary with experience.
| Physiotherapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $54,030 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $25.98 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Physiotherapist
5. Radiation Therapist
Why Become a Radiation Therapist?
If you have a passion for oncology and want to be in therapy, then a radiation therapist might be the right career for you.
Being able to properly operate and maintain a healthy environment while patients take radiation is essential.
Working with these patients, you need a graduate-level degree in therapy with a specialization in oncology.
Because of the specifics of this position, it has a 10 percent outlook and an average salary of $90,000 annually.
| Radiation Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $94,000 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $45.19 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Radiation Therapist
6. Recreational Therapist
Why Become a Recreational Therapist?
If you want to maintain physical therapy for athletes and those partaking in recreational activities, then you may need to consider becoming a recreational therapist.
This position has a direct focus on helping these patients beat injuries.
With only 3-4 years of education required, this salary averages around $50,000 annually.
| Recreational Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $53,900 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $25.91 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 7% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Recreational Therapist
7. Reflexologist
Why Become a Reflexologist?
If you want to focus your therapy on helping those with illnesses, then consider a career as a reflexologist.
In this position, you can use alternative medication options that you have learned through a program to assist your patients.
These programs are often less than a yard long.
You have the ability to earn an average salary of around $88,000 annually.
| Reflexologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $53,900 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $25.91 |
| Education | 0-1 Year |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Reflexologist
8. Respiratory Therapist
Why Become a Respiratory Therapist?
Helping your patients breathe and fight illnesses like asthma is something that respiratory therapists are able to do.
You will need at least a four-year degree and a license to have this specialty.
There is a demand with a 22 percent outlook expectancy with this career.
Your average salary will be around $65,000 annually.
| Respiratory Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $68,190 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.78 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 21% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
9. Hypnotherapist
Why Become a Hypnotherapist?
Another form of alternative medicine and treatment options come in the form of hypnosis.
As a hypnotherapist, you can treat patients to help fight addictions and toxic behaviors.
There is a 14 percent demand for this position in the future and a training program with certification is required before you can practice.
Most of these therapists have a background in a Bachelor’s degree like psychology or another related discipline.
The average salary of this position is $87,000 annually.
| Hypnotherapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $68,190 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.78 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Hypnotherapist
10. Speech Pathologist
Why Become a Speech Pathologist?
If helping your patients learn to properly pronounce words and improve their communication is a passion of yours, then you should consider a career as a speech pathologist.
Because of the specialty in this field, at least 6-7 years of education is required.
Once you have your degrees, you will need to be issued a license to practice.
The demand for this career is at one of the highest, 27 percent with an average salary of $85,000 annually.
| Speech Pathologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $85,820 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.26 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 27% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Speech Pathologist
11. Occupational Therapist
Why Become an Occupational Therapist?
If you want to help your patients with all of their skills, not just the physical but intellectual and emotional skills that will help them become productive members of society, then consider becoming an occupational therapist.
The average schooling for this career is around 7 years, with licensing and internship experience required among the degrees.
There is a positive outlook at 18 percent for this career, and the salary annually averages around $90,000.
| Occupational Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $89,470 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $43.02 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 18% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Occupational Therapist
