Highest-Paying Healthcare Jobs Without an MD
October 2, 2026
Physicians top the healthcare earnings hierarchy — but several non-physician roles command very strong wages. BLS OEWS data shows a clear picture of where the highest earning potential sits for healthcare workers who choose paths other than the MD/DO route.
Top Non-Physician Healthcare Earners
- CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) — consistently the highest-paid nursing role; many hit the BLS top-code
- Dentists and oral surgeons — doctoral credential with strong earnings; specialists at the top-code
- Pharmacists — Pharm.D. requirement supports strong wages in all settings
- Physician assistants — master's level credential with physician-adjacent scope and pay
- Optometrists — O.D. degree; strong demand in both private practice and retail settings
- Podiatrists — surgical specialty foot and ankle care; doctoral level
Mid-Tier Non-Physician High Earners
Nurse midwives, physical therapists, and occupational therapists — all requiring master's or doctoral degrees — earn well above the overall workforce median without the MD pathway. Browse the full Healthcare Practitioners group for a complete wage comparison.