What Can You Do With an Allied Health Degree?

Allied health professionals play a vital role in nearly every patient experience. They perform diagnostic tests, provide hands-on care, support rehabilitation, improve community health and keep healthcare systems running efficiently. Together, they represent one of the largest and most essential segments of the healthcare workforce.¹

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an average of about 1.9 million job openings each year in healthcare occupations between 2024 and 2034.² If you're considering an allied health career or looking for ways to build on your existing clinical experience, you may be asking: What can you do with an allied health degree?

The answer depends on your interests, experience and educational background, but the opportunities are broad. From direct patient care to leadership and public health roles, an allied health degree can prepare you for a rewarding career while opening the door to long-term professional growth. This guide will explore common career paths, employment trends and ways in which earning a bachelor's degree can expand your options.

What Are the Top Allied Health Professionals Jobs?

Allied health professionals are essential members of the healthcare team. Working alongside physicians, nurses and other providers, they help prevent disease, diagnose conditions, deliver treatment and improve patient outcomes in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, laboratories, public health agencies and many other settings.¹

When exploring allied health degree jobs, you'll find opportunities that match a wide range of interests and strengths. Some professionals spend their days working directly with patients, while others focus on the systems and information that help healthcare organizations deliver safe, effective care.

Direct Patient Care Roles

If you enjoy working directly with people and making a visible difference in their lives, direct patient care may be the right fit. Professionals in these roles assess patients, provide treatments, monitor progress and help people manage acute and chronic health conditions. Common allied health careers include:

Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists care for patients who are experiencing breathing difficulties caused by conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.² According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is projected to grow 12% between 2024 and 2034. As of May 2024, the most recent year for which BLS salary information is available, the median annual salary for respiratory therapists was $80,450.³

Radiologic and MRI Technologists
Radiologic and MRI technologists use specialized imaging equipment to help physicians diagnose injuries and disease, giving healthcare teams the information they need to make informed treatment decisions.⁴ According to the BLS, employment is projected to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034.⁴

Occupational Therapy Assistants
Working under the supervision of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants help people develop, recover and improve the skills they need for everyday life and work.⁵ The profession is projected to grow 18% between 2024 and 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare.

Administrative and Support Roles

Not every allied health professional spends the day providing direct patient care. Some careers blend clinical and administrative responsibilities, while others focus primarily on healthcare operations. Together, these professionals help organizations run efficiently, maintain accurate records and give clinicians the information and resources they need to focus on patients.

Medical Assistants
Medical assistants bridge clinical care and administrative operations, performing tasks such as recording vital signs, preparing patients for exams and scheduling appointments.⁶ The profession employed 811,000 people in 2024, and employment is projected to grow 12% between 2024 and 2034.

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
These professionals manage healthcare data, oversee computerized information systems and help protect the privacy and security of patient records.⁷ Employment is projected to grow 15% between 2024 and 2034, reflecting the increasing importance of accurate, secure health information across the healthcare system.⁷

What Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelor’s in Allied Health?

The answer to this question depends in part on your level of education. Associate degrees and professional certifications often prepare graduates for entry-level technical and clinical roles. A bachelor's degree, however, can expand your opportunities beyond direct patient care into roles involving supervision, quality improvement, program coordination and healthcare management. For example, medical and health services managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree for entry into the profession, which is projected to grow 23% between 2024 and 2034.⁸ Health information technologists may also build on their experience and education to advance into management roles.⁷

If you're ready to take the next step in your career, Kent State University's online Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a Concentration in Allied Health is designed to help you. The program complements your prior clinical education with coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, global health and health policy. You'll develop a broader understanding of the factors that shape community health while preparing for leadership in an increasingly complex healthcare system.

The Growing Demand for Jobs in the Allied Health Field

One of the biggest drivers of demand for allied health professionals is the nation's aging population. The number of U.S. adults age 85 and older is projected to reach 13.7 million by 2040.⁹ Many older adults live with multiple chronic conditions that require ongoing diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, increasing the need for respiratory therapists, diagnostic imaging specialists, rehabilitation professionals and many other allied health practitioners.⁹

Healthcare organizations are also adapting to workforce shortages and changing models of care. Hospitals, clinics and health systems increasingly rely on allied health professionals to fill critical gaps while expanding outpatient and home-based services.¹⁰ As healthcare becomes more coordinated and data-driven, employers need professionals who can deliver excellent patient care, manage health information and improve outcomes across a wide range of settings.

Build on Your Experience. Expand Your Impact.

Whether your goal is to care for patients, lead a healthcare team or improve the health of entire communities, building on your existing education can help you create the career you want. A bachelor's degree broadens your perspective beyond a single clinical role, preparing you to understand the larger systems, policies and public health challenges that shape patient care every day.

Kent State University's online Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a Concentration in Allied Health is designed for working professionals who want to take that next step. The program builds on your prior clinical education by developing expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and other core public health disciplines while offering the flexibility to continue working. If you currently hold or are pursuing state licensure in an allied health field, you may also be eligible to receive up to 12 upper-division credit hours toward your degree. The College of Public Health and Health Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, reflecting its commitment to rigorous, high-quality public health education.

Kent State can help you move forward. Explore the online BSPH curriculum and admissions information, then contact us directly or schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn how this program can support your goals.