A million years of school and training isn’t always necessary to get a good paying job in healthcare. Here are two healthcare jobs you can qualify for with a two-year associate’s degree AND get paid more than $40,000 a year.

Massage Therapist

What you’ll do: Manipulate a person’s soft tissue to improve the body’s circulation and remove waste products from the muscles. A massage therapist’s goal is medical benefits to the clients. Don’t confuse this with a masseuse who often gives a massage to relax or rejuvenate the body.

Job outlook: Employment is expected to increase as much as 26 percent from 97,000 jobs today to 122,220 in 2014.

Median earnings: $40,013.

Tip: If you want to make the median earnings, you’ll have to land a job in a hospital, orthopedic practice or some healthcare environment. The typical massage parlor won’t pay you this.

Radiologic Technologist

What you’ll do: Take x-rays and administer nonradioactive materials into patients’ bloodstreams for diagnostic purposes. Some technologists specialize in diagnostic imaging, such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Job outlook: Employment is expected to increase as much as 26 percent from 182,000 jobs now to 229,320 in 2014.

Median earnings: $43,350

Tip: You’re not going to have a tough time finding a job, so be picky and ask for what you want.

IndyStar.com, March 15, 2006

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