Are you interested in working in the booming health care industry, but unsure about moving into a clinical role?
Are you a fitness and nutrition aficionado who wants to share your knowledge with others?
Do you thrive in environments where you’re helping others live happier, healthier lives?
If any of these statements describe your interests or aspirations, then Health and Wellness is a natural pathway to achieving your career goals. The skills you’ll acquire in a degree or certificate program are often applicable to a variety of careers, allowing you the flexibility to pursue the opportunity that’s right for you.
Health and Wellness encompass a broad range of careers focused on improving the health and quality of life of individuals and communities. While we may think of wellness only as it relates to physical and mental health, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services expands our understanding.
In this profile, we’ll highlight five opportunities within the Eight Dimensions of Wellness and invite you to explore this diverse industry with strong advancement potential.
Career Outlook and Earning Potential
Career outlook remains strong in Health and Wellness, with above-average growth projections across career paths. The Health and Wellness field offers an opportunity for an exciting and meaningful career.
Medical and Health Services Managers
Dimensions of Wellness: Physical, Emotional
Medical and health services managers work behind the scenes in medical services environments to ensure smooth operations. Responsibilities include supporting clinical staff, keeping track of laws and regulations, and overseeing finances. Work environments may include hospitals, nursing homes, and group medical practices.
If you’re a detail-oriented person who wants to work in health care outside of a clinical setting, this may be the right path for you. This is one of the highest-paying and fastest-growing Health and Wellness careers, with a projected 51,800 new openings each year over the decade.
MEDIAN SALARY:
- $104,280 Nationally
- $103,310 in NH
Projected Growth: 32 percent
Fitness Trainers and Instructors
Dimensions of Wellness: Physical, Emotional, Spiritual
Becoming a fitness trainer and instructor is a competitive step on the health and wellness career ladder, with higher levels of education and experience often presenting strong opportunities for advancement and salary growth. Professionals in these roles train or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for personal fitness. Work environments include recreation centers, fitness or yoga studios, or clients’ homes.
If you’re a fitness buff who’s energized by motivating others, a career as a fitness trainer or instructor can be exciting and fulfilling. With about 69,100 openings projected each year over the next decade, this is one of the most in-demand Health and Wellness career paths.
MEDIAN SALARY:
- $45,650 Nationally
- $54,920 in NH
Projected Growth: 39 percent
Community Health Workers
Dimensions of Wellness: Physical, Occupational, Environmental, Financial
Community health workers promote health within their communities by serving as liaisons between health and social services and community members, facilitating outreach and education. Work environments include government agencies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and similar health care environments.
If you’re passionate about caring for others and advocating for the health of your community, this career path may be a strong fit for you.
MEDIAN SALARY:
- $42,000 Nationally
- $39,330 in NH
Projected Growth: 17 percent
Health Education Specialists
Dimensions of Wellness: Physical, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Social
Health education specialists develop and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Work environments include hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
If you’re a community-oriented healthcare advocate with strong strategic thinking and analytical, you may find this a fulfilling career path.
MEDIAN SALARY:
- $56,500 Nationally
- $60,310 in NH
Projected Growth: 17 percent
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Dimensions of Wellness: Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, Social, Environmental
Counselors offer guidance, resources, and support to people who are suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, or other mental or behavioral problems. Work environments include mental health centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice.
If you thrive in social environments where you can provide emotional and psychological support for others, you may be a good fit for a counseling role. Counselors find their jobs purposeful because their goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of their clients. It’s important that counselors also have a strong support system of their own.
MEDIAN SALARY:
- $47,660 Nationally
- $42,670 in NH
Projected Growth: 23 percent
To view more Health and Wellness Occupations, visit www.BLS.gov
Explore Our Degrees and Certificates!
We offer several top-ranked online degree and certificate programs that prepare students to pursue a Health and Wellness pathway. Our expert faculty are active in their fields and bring their experience into the classroom.
We’re focused on making college accessible to adult students by offering affordable tuition and flexible online programs that meet the demands of your busy life. We work with students to maximize their transfer credit, including assessing credit for experience outside the classroom.
Bachelor’s Degree Majors
- B.S. in Health and Wellness
- B.S. in Allied Health Leadership
- B.S. in Health Care Management
- B.S. in Psychology or B.S. in Human Services
- Health and Wellness Concentrations: Addiction Studies, Counseling Foundations, Organizational Psychology, and Wellness and Prevention
Bachelor’s Degree Minors
- Addiction Studies
- Counseling Foundations
- Health Care Management
- Organizational Psychology
- Wellness and Prevention
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
- M.S. in Health Care Management
- M.S. in Human Services Administration
- Human Services Administration [Certificate]
- Health Care Management [Certificate]
- Operations Management [Certificate]