Allied Health Careers: Top Jobs, Salaries & How to Get Started in 2026

Allied health careers cover the broad range of healthcare professions outside of physicians and nursing: the technologists, therapists, and technicians who deliver hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic care. They are among the most accessible ways into healthcare, since most can be entered in about two years through an associate degree, with no medical school required.

Demand is strong and steady. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects healthcare occupations to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2034, adding about 1.9 million openings a year. This guide covers what allied health is, the top jobs and what they pay, and how to get started in 2026.

What Are Allied Health Careers?

Allied health refers to the credentialed professionals who work alongside doctors and nurses across diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The category spans imaging, surgical support, and therapy, among many other roles. What these jobs share is a focus on direct, skilled, hands-on care and a training path that is shorter than the one required for physicians or registered nurses.

That combination is why allied health jobs appeal to so many people: meaningful patient-facing work, strong demand, and a realistic route in. CBD College is an allied health school built around exactly these programs, with day and night options, externships, and career services. You can see the full lineup on the programs page.

Top Allied Health Careers, Salaries & Outlook in 2026

The following five careers are among the most in-demand allied health roles, and each is reachable through a two-year associate degree. Salary and growth figures come from the BLS, reflecting May 2024 medians and 2024 to 2034 projections.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Sonographers use ultrasound to capture images of organs, tissues, and blood flow, supporting diagnosis across specialties like abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular, and cardiac imaging. The work is radiation-free and patient-facing. Sonographers earn a median of $89,340, with 13% projected growth, among the fastest in this group. Learn more on the diagnostic medical sonography program page.

MRI Technologist

MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners, which use magnetic fields rather than radiation to produce detailed images of soft tissue, the brain, and the spine. It is a technically advanced role with strong pay, a median of about $88,180 for the radiologic and MRI technologist group, which is projected to grow 5%. See the MRI program for details.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational therapy assistants help patients rebuild the everyday skills they need to live independently, working under an occupational therapist across pediatrics, rehabilitation, and geriatric care. OTAs earn a median of $68,340, and the role is projected to grow about 19%, one of the fastest-growing careers in the country. Explore the occupational therapy assistant program.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapist assistants work under physical therapists to help patients recover strength, mobility, and movement after injury or illness. The role is hands-on and rehabilitation-focused. PTAs earn a median of $65,510, with growth projected around 16%, well above average. Learn more on the physical therapist assistant program page.

Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists prepare the operating room, maintain the sterile field, and pass instruments to surgeons during procedures. It is a fast-paced role at the center of the surgical team. Surgical techs earn a median of $62,830, with 5% projected growth. See the surgical technology program for more.

Here is how the five compare at a glance.

Why Allied Health Is a Strong Career Change

For anyone weighing a healthcare career change, allied health is one of the most realistic moves available. The entry point is an associate degree you can complete in about two years, and most programs do not require a prior healthcare background, only a high school diploma and the prerequisite coursework.

The payoff is meaningful. These roles offer pay above many entry-level fields, strong and stable demand, and the kind of direct patient impact that draws people to healthcare in the first place. The honest tradeoff is that allied health takes real training and certification, since these are skilled clinical roles. But the path is far shorter and more direct than becoming a physician or registered nurse, which makes it well suited to career changers who want to retrain without spending the better part of a decade in school. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, and you can review options on the financial aid page.

How to Get Started in Allied Health in 2026

Entering the field follows a clear, repeatable path.

First, choose a field that fits your interests, whether that is imaging, therapy, or the operating room. Next, enroll in an accredited associate degree program, which typically takes about two years. Accreditation matters, since it determines your eligibility to sit for certification exams. CBD College’s programs hold the relevant accreditations for their fields, including CAAHEP for sonography, ACOTE for occupational therapy assisting, and CAPTE for physical therapist assisting, with institutional accreditation through ABHES.

From there, complete the clinical training or fieldwork built into your program, then pass the certification or licensure exam for your field, the ARDMS for sonography, ARRT for MRI, NBCOT for OTA, NPTE for PTA, or NBSTSA for surgical technology. Some roles also require state licensure.

If you want to advance further, CBD College also offers a Bachelor’s of Health Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy for those building toward leadership or expanded clinical roles. For the practical next steps, the getting started page walks through enrollment.

Which Allied Health Career Is Right for You?

The right fit usually comes down to the kind of work that draws you. If you are interested in imaging and diagnostic technology, sonography or MRI is a strong match. If the operating room appeals to you, surgical technology puts you at the center of the surgical team. And if helping people recover and regain independence is what motivates you, occupational therapy assisting or physical therapist assisting is built around exactly that.

All five share the same fundamentals: about two years of training, strong demand, and meaningful, patient-facing work.

Start Your Allied Health Career

If a career in allied health sounds like the right move, the next step is a conversation with an admissions advisor. CBD College’s accredited programs are built around hands-on training, clinical experience, and career support, with day and night class options to fit your schedule. Visit the programs page to compare your options and request information.