The specialties listed below are among the highest-paid allied health specialties, according to edumed.org. The median salary information is for on-staff clinicians. Compensation is tied to the level of education, certification, skill and experience required for a position. For example, Physical Therapists, who may spend 7 or 8 years getting a DPT, can often earn into six figures.
| Specialty |
Median Annual Salary |
Minimum Degree Required |
License/Certifications Required* |
| Physical Therapist |
$99K |
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) |
State license, certifications |
| Occupational Therapist |
$96K |
Masters Degree |
State license, certifications |
| Radiation Therapist |
$98K |
Associate Degree |
State license, certifications |
| Speech Therapist |
$89K |
Masters Degree |
State license, certifications |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
$92K |
Associate Degree |
certifications |
| Radiologic and MRI Technologists |
$76K |
Associate Degree |
State license, certifications |
| Respiratory Therapist |
$77K |
Associate Degree |
State license |
| Medical Sonographers, Cardiovascular Technologists |
$80K |
Associate Degree |
Certifications |
| Surgical Technologist |
$60K |
Associate Degree |
License and/or certification |
*Not every state requires a license for all allied health clinicians, but many do. Licensure is required for most therapist roles, including PT, OT, SLP and RT. In most cases employers require certain certifications and/or permits in addition to licensure, depending upon the position being filled.
Salaries for allied professionals fluctuate from year-to-year and by location. Compensation depends on the demand for their specialty and on the available pool of healthcare clinicians to fill open positions. Hiring needs can also vary with societal trends, for example the need for, and consequent pay for, respiratory therapists peaked during the COVID pandemic, as well as during regional increases in RSV in children. Similarly, locations with growing elderly populations may see a need for more Certified Surgical Technicians and Physical Therapists due to rising numbers of orthopedic surgeries and other rehabilitation treatments for seniors.
What do allied travelers earn?
Travel compensation generally tracks with pay for permanent staff. As with all healthcare professions, travel pay rates vary by specialty, experience, location and season. Pay may be higher in urban areas with urgent hiring needs. On the other hand, certain rural areas may offer higher pay due to the smaller hiring pool in their location. Your American Traveler Allied recruiter can tell you about the best options in your area of expertise.
American Traveler Allied - Today's Travel Pay Ranges
| Job Spec Name |
Min Wkly Pay* |
Avg Wkly Pay* |
Max Wkly Pay* |
| Cat Scan |
$1, 703 |
$2, 560 |
$4, 025 |
| Cath Lab Tech |
$1, 508 |
$2, 738 |
$3, 811 |
| Dialysis Tech |
$1, 581 |
$1, 581 |
$1, 581 |
| Dosimetrist |
$2, 932 |
$2, 932 |
$2, 932 |
| Echo/Cardiac Sonography |
$1, 629 |
$2, 636 |
$3, 337 |
| EEG |
$1, 597 |
$2, 050 |
$2, 419 |
| EKG |
$1, 023 |
$1, 023 |
$1, 023 |
| GI/Endoscopy |
$1, 671 |
$2, 027 |
$2, 187 |
| Interventional Radiology Tech |
$1, 638 |
$2, 847 |
$3, 868 |
| Mammography |
$1, 880 |
$2, 601 |
$3, 173 |
| MRI |
$1, 428 |
$2, 620 |
$3, 359 |
| Nuclear Medicine |
$2, 200 |
$2, 792 |
$3, 526 |
| Occupational Therapy |
$1, 232 |
$2, 146 |
$2, 800 |
| Physical Therapy |
$1, 180 |
$2, 188 |
$3, 299 |
| Polysomnographer |
$1, 493 |
$1, 834 |
$2, 107 |
| Radiation Therapy |
$1, 545 |
$2, 425 |
$3, 338 |
| Radiology |
$1, 348 |
$2, 180 |
$3, 419 |
| Respiratory Therapy |
$1, 169 |
$1, 979 |
$3, 188 |
| School |
$1, 808 |
$2, 611 |
$3, 322 |
| School Psychologist |
$2, 446 |
$2, 579 |
$2, 767 |
| Sonography |
$1, 412 |
$2, 521 |
$3, 200 |
| Speech Therapy |
$1, 732 |
$2, 351 |
$3, 304 |
| Sterile Processing Technician |
$1, 050 |
$1, 226 |
$1, 613 |
| Surgical Tech/ORT |
$1, 075 |
$2, 031 |
$3, 196 |
Many allied clinicians opt for travel because of the lifestyle and career flexibility it offers. Want to take an a work break? A travel career is an ideal way to do so. Or, if you wish, you can chain assignments and work year-round. If that's your preference, you are likely to earn more annual compensation than your permanent staff colleagues. Plus, you can factor in overtime, bonuses, travel reimbursements, housing allowances and tax advantages.
