February, 2006
Healthcare Careers in
Southwest Pennsylvania
RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE!

Who’s Employed in the Healthcare Industry of
SWPA?
1,320 Physicians & Surgeons
$127,560 / yr
3,560 EMT &
Paramedics
$22,970 / yr
3.300 Medical Secretaries
$24,420 / yr
40 Anesthesiologists
$105,700 / yr
26,260 Registered Nurses
$49,780 / yr

Who’s Employed in the Healthcare
Industry of SWPA?
1,320 Physicians & Surgeons
(including Radiologists)
$127,560 / yr
6,370 Licensed Practical Nurses
$32,840 / yr
1,940 Radiology Technicians
$37,260 / yr
1,350 Medical Records & Health Information
Technicians
$27,220 / yr

The Healthcare Industry’s
Temperature

Where is the Healthcare Industry
Going?
• Healthcare is a booming industry, with 2x faster growth than any other sector
2x faster
• By 2008, 15% increase in U.S.
15% in U.S.
• By 2008, 21% increase in PA
21% in PA

Healthcare Industry
• Health care careers are evolving: cutting edge technology and skills
• High Earnings
Potential
• Exciting Career
Pathways

Healthcare Industry is a
Major Regional Employer
• The health sector employs 15.4%
(160,000) of the entire labor force in
SWPA
SWPA
Employed
SWPA
Healthcare
Employed

Why Do We Need More
Healthcare Workers?
• Demographics
• Aging baby boomers
• Longevity
• Innovative technologies
• New drugs/therapies

Healthcare Growth Areas
Account for 90,000 Jobs
There are 160,000 employed in the healthcare industry of SWPA.
All Healthcare
Occupations
Growing Healthcare
Occupations
…90,000 are employed in areas expected to grow 9%
(7,000 jobs by
2010)

Western Pennsylvania’s
2005 Top 10 Most Wanted List
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Staff Registered Pharmacist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist 8.5
• Physician Assistant
• Staff Physical Therapist
• Nursing Aide/Nursing Assistant
• Staff Registered Nurse
• Pharmacy Technician
• Staff Medical Technologist
15.2
10.7
9.8
8.2
8.1
7.2
6.9
6.2
6.0

What Do Healthcare Workers Earn?
39%
Between
$15,000 and
$25,000
1%
Less than
$15,000/yr
15%
Between
$25,000 and
$35,000
33%
Between
$35,000 and
$50,000
9%
Between
$50,000 and
$75,000
3%
Greater than
$75,000

40%
What’s available… for less than $25,000
Dental Assistant
•$25,090 / year
• 970 employed
• H.S. and certification
Massage Therapist
•$14,100 / year
• 540 employed
• H.S. and certification
EMT / Paramedic
•$22,970 / year
• 3,560 employed
• H.S. and certification
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

15%
What’s available… for $25,000 - $35,000
Medical Transcriptionist
•$27,810 / year
•1,700 employed
•Post-secondary education
Physical Therapist
Assistant
•$33,020 / year
• 410 employed
• Associate’s degree and certification
Medical Lab Technicians
• $32,430 / year
• 2,120 employed
• Associate’s degree and license
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

33%
What’s available… for $35,000 - $50,000
Respiratory
Therapist
• $40,050 / year
• 1,000 employed
• Associates or
Bachelor’s degree
Athletic Trainer
• $37,000 / year
• 170 employed
• Bachelor’s degree
Registered Nurse
• $49,780 / year
• 26,260 employed
• Associate degree and license
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

12%
What’s available… for $50,000 or more
Physician Assistant
• $57,460 / year
• 540 employed
• Bachelor’s degree and 2 year accredited program
Physical Therapist
• $58,080 / year
• 1,640 employed
• Master’s degree and license
Pharmacist
• $79,610 / year
• 2,140 employed
• Pharm. D. and license
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

Characteristics of Healthcare
Occupations
• 66% require only 2 years of training/education
• Many entry points
• Math and science at different levels
• Embedded Career Progress
• Technologically Oriented

Registered Nurse
$50,000/yr
• Promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness
• Observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress in patients
• Assist physicians, administer medications, and develop and manage nursing care plans
Radiology Technician
$37,000/yr
• Take x-rays
• Administer non-radioactive materials into patients’ bloodstreams for diagnostic purposes
• Keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment.
Pharmacy Technician
$20,000/yr
•
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other healthcare products to patients
• Prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles.
• Prepare coverage claims with health insurance providers

Example of a Healthcare Pathway:
Registered Nurse
RN
• $50,000 / year
• Associates degree and licensure
• Nursing is a very diverse profession with a wide array of roles, but all work toward a common goal of: promoting health, preventing disease and serving the patient.
Licensed Practical Nurse
• $33,000 / year
• Typically 1-year training program and licensure
• Provide basic bedside care such as take vital signs, give injections, apply dressings and insert catheters. Those employed in nursing homes may also evaluate residents’ needs, develop care plans, and supervise nursing aides.
Nursing Assistant
• $22,000 / year
• On the job training
• Frontline workers in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Work directly with patients.

The Healthcare Career Offer
• Progressive and long career path, family-sustaining wages and transferable skill sets
• Career control
• Career portability
• Financial incentives i.e.: loan forgiveness, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement/employer paid education

PA Health Careers www.pahealthcareers.org
Center for Health Careers-
Hospital Council of Western PA www.chc.hcwp.org
Southwest Area Health Education Center www.southwestahec.org
Health Careers Futures www.hcfutures.org
Health Opportunities for Today and
Tomorrow www.mihott.com
Human Capital Policy Initiative www.hcpi.org

5. The healthcare sector is a major employer in SWPA
4. The healthcare sector offers many occupational opportunities
3. The healthcare sector offers high earnings potential
2. The healthcare sector offers many career pathways and the number one thing to know…
1. The healthcare sector offers lifetime employability and portability

“Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love”
~ David McCullough