You don’t need a four-year degree to work in healthcare. Many well-paying jobs take a few months to two years of training at a community or technical college, and some let you start working while you keep going to school. Below are 16 of them, with typical training time and median pay nationally and in Washington.
Quick comparison
| Career | Typical training | U.S. median | Washington median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistant (CNA) | Weeks to a few months | $42,260 | $49,180 |
| Phlebotomist | A few months | $45,230 | $48,880 |
| Emergency medical technician (EMT) | One term (a few months) | $44,470 | $52,690 |
| Pharmacy technician | A few months to a year | $45,750 | $58,900 |
| Health unit coordinator or medical secretary | A few months | $45,930 | $58,100 |
| Medical assistant | About 1 year (certificate) or 2 years (associate) | $45,690 | $59,290 |
| Dental assistant | About 1 year | $48,070 | $58,090 |
| Ophthalmic medical technician | Up to 1 year | $45,570 | $48,840 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) | About 1 year after prerequisites | $64,400 | $83,150 |
| Surgical technologist | 1 to 2 years | $64,650 | $77,270 |
| Occupational therapy assistant | About 2 years (associate) | $72,300 | $77,590 |
| Cardiovascular technologist | About 2 years (associate) | $74,310 | $83,790 |
| Radiologic technologist | About 2 years (associate) | $80,110 | $102,090 |
| Respiratory therapist | About 2 years (associate) | $82,280 | $101,130 |
| Diagnostic medical sonographer | About 2 years (associate) | $96,590 | $121,340 |
| Registered nurse (ADN) | About 2 years after prerequisites | $97,550 | $124,200 |
Pay: O*NET OnLine, BLS OEWS May 2025. Training times are typical; programs vary by school and state.
From the dean’s desk
Nursing isn’t the only healthcare career out there. Take a look at these fields and see if one piques your interest.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
Thinking about nursing? Washington’s LPN and RN programs only take applications a few weeks a year. Our Washington Nursing School Application Tracker shows every community and technical college program and when it opens.
A year or less of training
Nursing assistant (CNA)
Helps patients bathe, dress, eat and move, and takes vital signs. Washington calls it nursing assistant certified (NAC): finish a state-approved training program and pass the state exam. It’s also the most common first step toward LPN or RN school.
Training: Weeks to a few months · Median pay: $42,260 nationally, $49,180 in Washington
Phlebotomist
Draws blood for tests, donations and transfusions in hospitals, labs and blood centers. Short certificate programs teach venipuncture and lab safety.
Training: A few months · Median pay: $45,230 nationally, $48,880 in Washington
Emergency medical technician (EMT)
Responds to 911 calls and gives emergency care on the way to the hospital. Many people use EMT work as a path into firefighting, paramedic school or nursing.
Training: One term (a few months) · Median pay: $44,470 nationally, $52,690 in Washington
Pharmacy technician
Fills prescriptions, manages inventory and helps pharmacists in retail and hospital pharmacies. Washington licenses pharmacy technicians, so choose an approved training program.
Training: A few months to a year · Median pay: $45,750 nationally, $58,900 in Washington
Health unit coordinator or medical secretary
Runs the front desk of a hospital unit or clinic: orders, charts, schedules and phones. A good fit if you want healthcare without hands-on patient care.
Training: A few months · Median pay: $45,930 nationally, $58,100 in Washington
Medical assistant
Handles both clinical and front-desk work in clinics: rooming patients, taking vitals, giving some injections and scheduling. Washington requires a medical assistant credential from the Department of Health.
Training: About 1 year (certificate) or 2 years (associate) · Median pay: $45,690 nationally, $59,290 in Washington
Dental assistant
Prepares patients and instruments, takes X-rays and assists the dentist during procedures.
Training: About 1 year · Median pay: $48,070 nationally, $58,090 in Washington
Ophthalmic medical technician
Helps eye doctors with vision testing, imaging and patient history.
Training: Up to 1 year · Median pay: $45,570 nationally, $48,840 in Washington
One to two years of training
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Gives hands-on nursing care under an RN or physician. In Washington, LPNs earn well above the national median. See how to become an LPN in Washington.
Training: About 1 year after prerequisites · Median pay: $64,400 nationally, $83,150 in Washington
Surgical technologist
Sets up the operating room, passes instruments and keeps the surgical field sterile.
Training: 1 to 2 years · Median pay: $64,650 nationally, $77,270 in Washington
Occupational therapy assistant
Helps patients recover the skills they need for daily life and work, under an occupational therapist.
Training: About 2 years (associate) · Median pay: $72,300 nationally, $77,590 in Washington
Cardiovascular technologist
Runs heart tests like EKGs, stress tests and heart imaging, and assists with cardiac procedures.
Training: About 2 years (associate) · Median pay: $74,310 nationally, $83,790 in Washington
Radiologic technologist
Takes X-rays and other diagnostic images. Many go on to specialize in CT or MRI.
Training: About 2 years (associate) · Median pay: $80,110 nationally, $102,090 in Washington
Respiratory therapist
Treats patients who have trouble breathing, from premature babies to people on ventilators.
Training: About 2 years (associate) · Median pay: $82,280 nationally, $101,130 in Washington
Diagnostic medical sonographer
Uses ultrasound to image organs, blood flow and pregnancies. One of the highest-paying two-year healthcare jobs.
Training: About 2 years (associate) · Median pay: $96,590 nationally, $121,340 in Washington
Registered nurse (ADN)
Assesses patients and manages their care in hospitals, clinics and more. See how to become an RN in Washington.
Training: About 2 years after prerequisites · Median pay: $97,550 nationally, $124,200 in Washington
Worth knowing: careers that take a little longer
Dental hygienist is one of the best-paid healthcare jobs without a medical degree ($98,100 nationally, $131,160 in Washington), but programs usually require a year or more of prerequisites before two or more years of hygiene school. A BSN for nurses takes about four years.
How to choose
- Want to start working fast? CNA, phlebotomy, EMT and pharmacy tech can get you into a paycheck in months.
- Want the biggest pay jump? Sonography, RN, respiratory therapy and radiologic technology pay the most, but have competitive admissions and prerequisites.
- Not sure yet? Start as a CNA or medical assistant. You’ll see different roles up close, and the experience can earn points on nursing applications.
- Check the application window. Many healthcare programs admit once or twice a year, so missing a deadline can cost you months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest healthcare job to get into?
Nursing assistant (CNA), phlebotomy and EMT programs can be finished in weeks to a few months.
What healthcare job pays the most with a two-year degree?
Of the jobs on this list, registered nurses and diagnostic medical sonographers have the highest median pay, both nationally and in Washington.
Can I work while I’m in school?
Often, yes. Many students work as CNAs, medical assistants or pharmacy techs while finishing prerequisites for nursing or other programs.
Sources
- O*NET OnLine: Local wages (BLS OEWS May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Healthcare occupations
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