It turns out science and math nerds were right all along--even when it comes to landing profitable careers in the healthcare field.
College students may want to think twice before studying healthcare administration and head to the information science technology building instead, according to Payscale's 2013-2014 college salary report, which surveyed more than 1,000 college and universities across the United States. Among the key findings:
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Computer science and computer engineering are no. 7 and no. 9 on the list for high starting and mid-career salaries. Both majors average about $60,000 in their first years and in time graduates can earn more than $100,000.
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Information technology (IT) at no. 35 boasts an average starting salary of $48,900 and a mid-career salary of more than $80,000.
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Nursing comes in at no. 61 with an average starting salary of $54,100 and mid-career salary of about $70,000.
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Health sciences rank no. 66--average starting salary $39,000, with the potential to make about $68,000.
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Journalism, public relations, fashion design and even English hit the list before the next healthcare position--healthcare administration at no. 97, with the average starting salary of $39,600 and a mid-career potential of $57,600.
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Public health ranks no. 118, with graduates earning $35,000 to start and about $50,000 at mid-career.
As hospitals and doctors transition to digital, information technology careers grow in popularity because of the need for data analytics and IT experts. As reported in August, population health management positions will offer a huge opportunity for health information management professionals who gain expertise in the new specialty, according to an article published in the Journal of the American Health Information Management Association.
In July, a HIMSS Analytics survey found that healthcare IT remains a hot job market. More than 85 percent of the 224 healthcare executives polled reported hiring at least one IT employee in 2012, while none reported layoffs; 31 percent of the respondents, however, said that they had to put an IT project on hold because of staff shortages.
To learn more:
- read the Payscale list
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