STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — There are plenty of jobs to choose from when going into the health-care field, but like all careers, some positions bring in more money than others.
Data journalism website Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying health-care jobs in New York City, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage, and job descriptions are from O*NET.
Here are the 25 highest-paying jobs in New York City in the health-care industry, according to the data.
25. Genetic counselors
- Annual mean salary: $93,950
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
Job description: Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other health-care providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decision-making and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
24. Orthotists and prosthetists
- Annual mean salary: $94,190
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
Job description: Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
23. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $94,920
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 173,570
Job description: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
22. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $98,080
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,800
Job description: Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual’s environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.
21. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $99,450
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 16,250
Job description: Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
20. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $107,080
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,600
Job description: Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
19. Nurse midwives
- Annual mean salary: $121,050
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
Job description: Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.
18. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $123,290
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,360
Job description: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
17. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $123,840
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,400
Job description: Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.
16. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $127,400
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,980
Job description: Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.
15. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $131,370
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,440
Job description: Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
14. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $133,380
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,760
Job description: Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
13. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $138,000
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,660
Job description: Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
12. General internal medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $167,060
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,390
Job description: Diagnose and provide nonsurgical treatment for a wide range of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults and adolescents, and are based primarily in an outpatient care setting.
11. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $169,090
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,860
Job description: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
10. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $172,400
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
Job description: Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
9. Orthodontists
- Annual mean salary: $172,640
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
Job description: Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.
8. Pediatricians, general
- Annual mean salary: $173,290
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,650
Job description: Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment, as needed.
7. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $193,060
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,990
Job description: Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
6. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $207,450
- #166 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,980
Job description: Diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.
5. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
- Annual mean salary: $214,810
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,970
Job description: Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
4. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $218,380
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,660
Job description: Administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
3. Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Annual mean salary: $222,410
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,080
Job description: Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.
2. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Annual mean salary: $228,190
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
Job description: Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.
1. Anesthesiologists
- Annual mean salary: $240,440
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,560
Job description: Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.