Key Information:
- Allied health professionals now make up 60% of the healthcare workforce, filling essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and support roles that keep modern healthcare systems running.
- Top allied health careers like diagnostic medical sonography, respiratory therapy, and radiologic technology offer strong job growth—up to 15% through 2032—and high median salaries ranging from $68,000 to $85,000.
- Accreditation from bodies like CAAHEP, CoARC, and JRCERT is critical for certification, licensure, and employment eligibility across allied health disciplines.
- Driven by technology, telehealth, and AI integration, allied health careers are among the most future-proof in healthcare—offering stable, flexible, and high-demand opportunities through 2026 and beyond.
As healthcare evolves, a new wave of professionals is keeping the system running. We’re talking beyond doctors and nurses, although they are still vital to patient care.
Who are the new wave of professionals? We’re talking about allied health professionals who make up 60% of healthcare roles. Their jobs combine technical skill and patient care. Plus, their occupations are characterized by strong job growth.
Are you interested in taking advantage of their excellent job opportunities? If you are, read on. In this guide, we’ll break down the following topics:
- What is allied health?
- Which careers are rising the fastest in 2026?
- What credentials will you need?
- How much can we earn?
Indeed, allied health is the best place to start if you want a stable, flexible, and in-demand career.
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- Best Accelerated Radiology Tech Programs
- Specializations Within Radiation Technology Careers
- Best Telehealth and Telemedicine Certifications
What Is Allied Health?
Let’s start by answering the question, “What is allied health?”
Definition of Allied Health
Allied health refers to 80+ healthcare professions outside of medicine and nursing that support:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Administration
These roles are vital to keep healthcare systems and facilities running smoothly. Allied health professionals also contribute to comprehensive patient care.
Notable examples include:
- Imaging
- Respiratory care
- Therapy
- Lab sciences
- Health information technology
- Clinical support roles
Allied health professionals bridge the gap between technology, treatment, and patient outcomes. They work with doctors and nurses to deliver team-based patient care.
Their education level varies, too, as follows:
- Certificates (phlebotomy)
- Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees (sonography, respiratory therapy, radiologic tech)
Programs offering the best allied health degrees usually have programmatic accreditation from:
- CAAHEP
- CoARC
These accreditation bodies ensure programs meet established education standards. As a result, graduates are competent and confident in their skills.
The Expanding Role of Allied Health in a Tech-Driven Era
Allied health careers are also future-proof. This is due to advances in digital diagnostics and telehealth imaging. Professionals who have advanced equipment operation skills are in high demand, too.
Furthermore, BLS predicts double-digit growth across multiple allied health disciplines through 2032. So, now is the best time to consider allied health careers 2026 has to offer. Start by exploring your certificate and degree options.
Top Careers (Sonographer, Respiratory Therapist, Radiology Tech)
Here, we’ll feature the top three allied health careers 2026 has to offer. These occupations offer short training paths, strong job placement rates, and high salaries.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
The roles of diagnostic medical sonographers include:
- Use ultrasound technology to create images of organs and tissues for diagnostic purposes.
- Work with physicians and surgeons to analyze the images.
Their education can be an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography. Both must be from a CAAHEP-accredited program for certification/licensure purposes.
ARDMS certification is either required or recommended, depending on the state.
Hospitals, ob/gyn offices, and outpatient imaging centers are popular workplaces. Their median salary is $85,000/year (BLS 2026 projections).
The sonography career outlook 2026 is among the highest, too. Job growth is 15% through 2032 (i.e., much faster than average).
Their increased demand is due to:
- Non-invasive diagnostic demand
- Tech advances in prenatal and cardiovascular imaging
Indeed, it’s among the fastest growing allied health jobs that deserve consideration.
Respiratory Therapist
The roles of respiratory therapists include:
- Consult with doctors about their patients’ conditions, develop treatment plans, and follow up
- Treat patients with breathing disorders like COPD, asthma, and COVID-19-related complications
Their education can be either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy. Check that it’s from a CoARC-accredited program.
State licensure is required. They must also pass the NBRC’s CRT or RRT exam.
The average respiratory therapist salary in 2026 is among the highest at $75,000 per year. The top earners rake in more than $95,000/year.
The job outlook for respiratory therapists is 13% growth by 2032 (BLS). The fast growth is due to:
- An aging population
- Increase in chronic respiratory conditions
- Growing demand in critical care
Respiratory therapists can advance to sleep medicine, pulmonary rehabilitation, or management roles.
Radiologic Technologist
Their main function is to perform diagnostic imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs) under physician supervision. The education is usually an associate’s degree in radiologic technology from a JRCERT-accredited program. Most states require ARRT certification.
Radiologic technicians earn $68,000-$78,000 per year, on average. Their job growth rate is 6% by 2032, meaning good job opportunities.
The steady demand for radiologic technologists is due to:
- Technological innovations
- Outpatient imaging expansion
- Cross-training opportunities in MRI/CT
Other Rising Allied Health Roles
- Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) earn $62,000/year, on average, and enjoy strong demand.
- Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) also enjoy high growth and good salaries ($65,000/year median).
- Cardiovascular Technologists have a 5%–7% projected growth.
- Clinical Laboratory Technicians are crucial for diagnostics and enjoy a 5% growth.
Licensure & Accreditation Requirements
Accreditation ensures graduates qualify for certification exams and state licensure. Indeed, you must only enroll in accredited allied health programs for this reason. If you graduated from a non-accredited program, you’ll likely not be certified or licensed.
But accreditation isn’t only about eligibility for licensure either. Accreditation matters, too, for these reasons:
- Eligibility for financial aid, particularly federal financial aid (i.e., FAFSA)
- Employer preference (i.e., employers require or prefer candidates from accredited programs)
Every allied health field usually has its own accrediting body and certification pathways. Here are the national certification bodies and their pathway by field.
- Sonography: CAAHEP → ARDMS certification
- Respiratory Therapy: CoARC → NBRC credential (CRT or RRT)
- Radiologic Tech: JRCERT → ARRT exam
Every state has its allied health licensure requirements, too. These requirements include documentation, the application process, and certification exams.
Here are three states with their basic licensure and certification requirements.
| Occupation | California | Texas | Florida |
| Sonographers | * Must graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program. * ARDMS certification is voluntary, but strongly recommended for employment | * Must graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program. * ARDMS certification is strongly recommended, too. | * ARDMS or ARRT certification is strongly recommended. * No state licensure required. |
| Respiratory Therapists | * State licensure required. * Pass the NBRC-administered CRT or RRT exam. * Complete background checks | Required licensure through the Texas Medical Board and NBRC certification. | * The Florida Board of Respiratory Care issues a state license. * Required background check and NBRC exam. |
| Radiologic Technologists | * Must be ARRT-certified. * Complete additional state-specific registration | * Required ARRT certification. * The Texas Department of State Health Services issues a state license. |
Indeed, it’s best to check with your state authorities and certification bodies. You may also ask your program’s coordinator for guidance.
Allied health professionals must also meet renewal requirements. Continuing education and its corresponding CEUs are a must. You may have to earn 24 credits every two years, for example.
Salary & Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts millions of new healthcare jobs by 2032. Allied health occupations are driving much of that growth.
Candidates are attracted to the field, thanks to these high-paying allied health careers.
| Career | Median Salary (2026 Estimated) | Growth Rat (2032) | Education Level | Licensure |
| Sonographer | $85,000 | 15% | Associate’s/Bachelor’s | ARDMS |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,000 | 13% | Associate’s/Bachelor’s | NBRC/State |
| Radiologic Technologist | $72,000 | 6% | Associate’s | ARRT/State |
| PTA | $62,000 | 15% | Associate’s | NPTE |
| OTA | $65,000 | 12% | Associate’s | NBCOT |
The sonography career outlook 2026 means that it’s the fastest-growing field. Radiologic technologist jobs aren’t too far behind either.
The respiratory therapist salary 2026 means it offers the best value, too. You’ll love the affordable cost of an associate’s degree combined with high salaries.
Indeed, allied health professionals earn higher-than-average salaries relative to training length. Of course, geographic factors come into play. California, New York, Texas, and Massachusetts pay the highest salaries.
Hospitals, outpatient centers, and travel positions offer salary premiums, too. Telehealth expansion adds new opportunities as well. Consider remote monitoring and imaging transmission for this purpose.
The Future Outlook — 2026 and Beyond
The future is bright, indeed, for allied health professionals. It’s safe to say that it’s a “future-proof” sector for recession-resistant employment.
Why? First, AI integration and diagnostic imaging advancements expand allied health roles. Second, there’s a rising demand for cross-trained professionals (dual certification).
Conclusion
Indeed, allied health professionals are at the heart of the modern healthcare system. Their patient care skills and technical expertise make them valuable team members.
So, if you want a stable career, explore accredited allied health programs now. This way, you’ll be prepared for the healthcare jobs in demand in 2026. The 2026 hiring waves aren’t to be missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an allied health career?
Any healthcare profession outside of medicine and nursing is considered one. But it should support diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, or healthcare administration.
Which allied health jobs pay the most in 2026?
Sonographers, respiratory therapists, and advanced imaging specialists are among the highest-paid workers.
How long does it take to become a respiratory therapist?
Between 2 (associate’s degree) and 4 (bachelor’s degree) years.
Is sonography a good career in 2026?
Yes, because it offers competitive salaries and strong job growth.
Are allied health programs available online?
Many programs offer online courses. But clinical training is usually in person.