11. Medical assistant
Average annual wage (BLS): $31,540;
Average hourly wage (BLS): $15.17;
There are two main types of medical assistants, that rank 11th on our list of easy career changes that pay well, the ones who are specialized in administrative work and the ones who do the simplest clinical tasks, like measuring heart pressure, sterilizing instruments and doing the most basic laboratory tasks. Although this is one of the least paid jobs in the health care sector, it can give you lots of work experience, which can be very useful if you plan to finish some additional courses and earn higher degrees in the health care field. Some types of medical assistants can enter this occupation with a high school diploma and learn everything through the training provided at the workplace, while others need to finish postsecondary programs. Still, you should have in mind that most employers would rather hire a medical assistant with a course degree. Medical assistant programs can be found in community colleges and various vocational schooling institutions. They last one year and provide lessons in both medical terminology and laboratory work.
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