High-Paying Careers for Introverts in the Healthcare Industry 

OK, let’s just get this out of the way. So, you are an introvert. Are there high-paying jobs for introverts in the healthcare field? What ARE your career options if you are one of those introverted people who just prefers to work solo or with limited human contact? Afterall, isn’t healthcare all about helping other people? Not necessarily. There are LOTS of great jobs other than, say, maintaining medical equipment or filing medical records, that you can pursue. If you need help finding a job or help finding candidates for you job, seek out a good Healthcare Recruiter

Criteria of Ideal Jobs for Introverts

• Few to no patient-facing responsibilities. Does the idea of “hands on” scare you? Are you someone who finds you have to dig deep to find empathy? There are roles for you – many other options in supportive healthcare. 
• Do you thrive as an independent contributor or need little supervision? Is social interaction something you avoid? If you are someone who works well independently, has a strong analytical mind and work ethic there are roles for you.
• Once you prove yourself to be a self starter, dependable and do a terrific job with little direction from supervisors, you will be someone who will always be valued. Supervisors love to have folks on their team who get the job done, and do it well with little drama. 

Healthcare Careers Ideal for Introverts

1.  Biostatistician

• Average salary:  $143,000
• Projected growth:  33% between 2020-2030
• Biostatisticians evaluate the data that researchers collect during medical studies or trials for statistical significance. They may help design research and make predictions, such as how effective a drug may be, with their predictions supported by the data collected from that research. This position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s or doctorate degree is often necessary for you to be hired as a biostatistician.
• Why this career is good for an introvert:  Biostatisticians typically have little contact with people, their game is crunching numbers. If statistics are your thing and you are good at it, this is the job for you. Rapid growth and a strong need for biostatistician  translates to excellent career opportunities.

2. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

• Average salary:  $90,000
• Projected growth:  8%, just average
• Nuclear medicine technologists work with patients undergoing imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) or MRI. These healthcare professionals may administer drugs to their patients and ensure that the patients remain comfortable and clinically stable throughout their imaging experience. They also ensure that the images are of good quality so the patient’s physician can interpret them. This position requires attention to radiation safety, and it usually requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and certification.
• Why this career is good for an introvert:  Yes, you do have to work with patients, but it is one-on-one and schedules are very consistent. This is not a chaotic work environment like a patient clinic. It’s very doable because it’s controlled and technical.

3. MRI Technologist

• Average salary:  $80,000
• Projected growth:  9%
• An MRI technologist is responsible for running a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and ensuring the correct settings and patient positioning. This process can help medical staff achieve the best possible images for diagnosis. This position requires an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree and certification.
• Why this career is good for an introvert:  Again, you do have to work with patients, but it’s one-on-one with consistent schedules and a very controlled environment. 

4. Prosthetist 

• Average salary:  $75,000
• Projected growth:  18%, better than average for the next ten years
• A prosthetist makes prostheses and ensures their fit and function. The patients of a prosthetist include people who are missing all or part of a limb and people who have other functional limitations of their limbs. This position requires a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree and certification.
• Why this job is a good fit for introverts:  While you potentially could work with a patient doing measurements and sizing, it would be one-on-one and then you’d be working in a lab doing hands on design work. This is a very structured environment and extremely rewarding. 

5. Surgical Technologist

• Average salary:  $70,000
• Projected growth:  Pretty average at 9%
• Surgical technologists are responsible for preparing the operating room before a patient undergoes surgery. They clean and prepare medical instruments and ensure that everything is operating correctly. They may also directly assist the surgeon during surgery by helping them put on sterile gloves and handing them instruments. This job requires an understanding of medical equipment and tolerance for observing surgical procedures. Surgical technicians must also have certificates or associate’s degrees, with different educational qualification requirements depending on the employer.
• Why this is a good job for an introvert:  Yes, you work with a surgical team, but generally in a very controlled environment with little patient contact. If you are detail oriented, this could be an excellent career choice.

6. Cytotechnologist

• Average salary:  $70,000
• Projected growth:  A little better than average, 11%
• Cytotechnologists work in a laboratory and analyze cells microscopically. They look for abnormalities that can help a pathologist potentially diagnose patients with diseases like infections or cancers. This position requires a bachelor’s degree and may also require certification.
• Why this is a good job for an introvert:  While you will undoubtedly have a supervisor, you will work independently. If you have strong attention to detail, this is an excellent career choice for you.

7.  X Ray Technician

• Average salary:  $70,000
• Projected growth:  Average at 9%
• X-ray technicians are responsible for collecting X-ray images by positioning patients and choosing the appropriate settings on the X-ray machine. They also inspect and clean the X-ray equipment and ensure that the hospital performs any needed repairs. During their work, they ensure patient and staff radiation safety by having staff stand an appropriate distance from the machinery and by providing patients and staff with protective coverings. This job requires an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree.
• Why this is a good choice for introverts:  Again, you do work with patients, but it is one-on-one. The schedules are very structured and you aren’t working in a chaotic environment. 

8. Lab Technician

• Average salary:  $58,000
• Projected growth:  A little bit above average at 11%
• Lab techs perform laboratory tests ordered by healthcare providers. This job involves processing samples, such as blood or swabs, and accurately performing any requested tests, such as drug screenings, blood cell counts and bacterial cultures, before reporting the results to the provider. This job may require an associate’s degree or certification.
• Why this is a good fit for an introvert:  You have little to no contact with the public and can work independently. 

9. Medical Equipment Repair Technician

• Average salary:  $53,000
• Projected growth:  Average at 7%
• If you are hands-on and enjoy the challenges of finding problems and then solutions AND you like technology and machines, you’ll thrive as a medical equipment repair technician. You will work to identify the cause of hospital or laboratory equipment problems and correct those problems. The medical equipment repair technician may work with specific brands or types of equipment. Alternatively, they may work with a variety of equipment throughout the hospital. They may also perform ongoing equipment maintenance.
• Why this is a good job for an introvert:  While you may take direction from a supervisor, it’s mostly just you and the machine. If you are a problem solver and like electronics, this is for you.

10. Coding Specialist

• Average salary:  $47,000
• Projected growth:  Average at 9%
• A medical coding specialist is responsible for correctly representing healthcare activities as codes for billing and insurance purposes. This means they must have a good understanding of medical procedures and terminology. This position requires certification or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
• Why this is a good job for an introvert:  It’s you, a computer and LOTS of numbers and columns. 

Just because you are an introvert doesn’t mean you can’t work in healthcare, and have an impact on helping others. From the highest paid biostatistician – some making over 200K a month, to a coding specialist,  you can find your niche. Do you need help?  Healthcare recruiters can help figure out what’s best for you.