Combining medical technology and the human touch, the health services industry administers care around the clock, responding to the needs of millions of people. Nationally, more than 460,00 establishments make up the health services industry, all varying greatly in size, staffing, and organization. Health services is one of the largest employers in the United States, with about 11.3 million jobs. although hospitals comprise less than 2% of all private health services establishments, they employ nearly 40% of all health-related workers. Workers in health careers are expected to continue to be in high demand, with 40% of the projected fastest growing occupations related to the health industry. With career opportunities in scientific research, laboratory practices, written and verbal communications, and patient care, Health Services has something to match everyone's skills and interests.

Selected occupations with information on job growth,
percent growth, and earnings potential (listed by percent of job growth):

Occupation	Employment Levels in 1996	Projected Employment Levels in 2006	Job Growth	Percent of Job Growth	Entry Level Hourly Wage	Entry Level Weekly Wage (based on 40 hr week)	Entry Level Monthly (based on 168 hrs)	Estimated Average Annual Wage
Home Health Care Workers	19,120	36,900	17,780	93%	$6.69	$268	$1,124	$20,220
Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides	8,250	15,840	7,590	92%	$7.84	$314	$1,317	$26,680
Occupational Therapy Assistants	1,000	1,890	890	89%	$8.11	$324	$1,362	$30,780
Medical Assistants	36,000	60,620	24,620	68%	$8.12	$325	$1,364	$22,880
Surgical Technicians	4,270	7,030	2,760	65%	$11.93	$477	$2,004	$31,360
Medical Records Technicians	8,050	12,420	4,370	54%	$7.60	$304	$1,277	$22,900
Respiratory Care Practitioners	9,190	14,130	4,940	54%	$16.61	$664	$2,790	$41,940
Emergency Medical Technicians	13,540	19,870	6,330	47%	$7.29	$292	$1,225	$25,240
Dental Hygienists	16,590	24,240	4,650	46%	$15.10	$604	$2,537	$54,800
Physician's Assistants	5,010	7,300	2,290	46%	$12.13	$485	$2,038	$53,080
Pharmacy Technicians	7,680	11,150	3,470	45%	$8.41	$336	$1,413	$24,300
Cardiology Technologists	1,160	1,660	500	43%	$15.89	$636	$2,670	$42,140
Dental Assistants	29,280	41,300	12,020	41%	$8.87	$355	$1,490	$26,810
Microbiologist	7,330	9,890	2,560	35%	$16.88	$666	$2,799	$53,840
Pharmacist	16,800	22,460	5,660	34%	$28.22	$1,129	$4,741	$65,280
Radiologic Technologists	17,390	22,580	5,190	30%	$14.55	$582	$2,444	$41,190
Health Services Managers	14,880	19,210	4,330	29%	$16.75	$670	$2,814	$57,080
Physicians/Surgeons	44,580	56,710	12,130	27%	$48.10	$1,924	$8,081	$155,000
Medical Lab Assistants	9,880	12,420	2,540	26%	$9.03	$361	$1,517	$30,460
Nurse Aides, Orderlies, Attendants	87,500	109,820	22,320	26%	$7.03	$281	$1,181	$17,770
Psychiatric Aides	6,550	8,010	1,460	22%	$7.74	$310	$1,300	$22,860
Registered Nurses	182,450	221,920	39,470	22%	$18.71	$748	$3,143	$51,810
Licensed Vocational Nurses	47,740	56,700	8,960	19%	$12.09	$484	$2,031	$33,590
Dentists	11,970	13,850	1,890	16%	$25.01	$1,000	$4,202	$107,220

Health Careers and Education Levels:

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA	1-2 YEARS POST-SECONDARY	4-YEARS OR MORE POST-SECONDARY
Admitting Clerk Ambulance Driver Certified Nursing Assistant Dental Assistant Home Health Aide Laboratory Assistant Pharmacy Aide Psychiatric Aide	Acupressurist Dental Hygienist Emergency Medical Tech. Licensed Vocational Nurse Medical Office Secretary Medical Records Technician Nuclear Medicine Tech. Radiological Technician Respiratory Care Practitioner Surgical Technician Transplant Coordinator	Dentist Family Practitioner Hospital Administrator Optometrist Pediatrician Physical Therapist Physician's Assistant Podiatrist

Information source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group.