15 of the Best Jobs for Pre-meds (Clinical Experience and Salary)

1. Medical Assistant

Average Salary (2025): $39,623

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, completion of a medical assistant training program, and a certification (e.g., Certified Medical Assistant, CMA) may be preferred.

Medical assistants work with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide patient care. They may take medical histories, measure vital signs, and assist with medical procedures.

2. Occupational Therapy Assistant

Average Salary (2025): $65,144

Credentials Required: Completion of an associate degree program from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program, certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), and state licensure may be required.

Certified occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of occupational therapists (OTs) to provide patient care and rehabilitation. They help patients with everyday tasks and activities, such as dressing and eating, and may help OTs develop treatment plans.

3. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Average Salary (2025): $34,614

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, completion of a state-approved nursing assistant program, and a competency exam.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are healthcare professionals who provide basic care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. Their duties may include bathing and dressing patients, helping with meals, and taking vital signs.

4. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Average Salary (2025): $39,990 for EMTs

Credentials Required: Completion of a postsecondary certificate program, CPR certification, and state licensure.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provide emergency medical care to patients at the scene of an accident or during transport to a hospital.

They may perform basic life support procedures, communicate with other medical care team members, and administer certain medications at certain levels.

5. Home Health Aide

Average Salary (2025): $35,540

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, completion of a state-approved training program, and a competency exam.

Home health aides provide basic care and assistance to patients in their homes. They help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. They may monitor vital signs.

They often carry out health-related tasks under the supervision of a nurse or other professional.

6. Medical Scribe

Average Salary (2025): $41,127

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent (sometimes a college degree), familiarity with medical terminology and Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, plus strong typing and documentation skills.

Medical scribes assist healthcare professionals with documentation and administrative tasks. They transcribe physician-patient encounters, maintain patient records, and may even assist with billing and coding.

7. Research Assistant

Average Salary (2025): $80,783

Credentials Required: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, lab experience, familiarity with research methodologies, plus strong analytical and organizational skills.

Research assistants support scientific research by conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results. They also assist in preparing research papers and reports and may work in labs or clinical trials.

Related Reading: How to Get Pre-Med Research Hours

8. Phlebotomist

Average Salary (2025): $41,344

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, completion of a phlebotomy training program, certification (e.g., Certified Phlebotomy Technician, CPT), and state licensure may be required.

Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for medical testing, transfusions, or donations. They may also label and track blood samples for accurate handling, delivery, and analysis.

9. Clinical Laboratory Technician

Average Salary (2025): $51,660

Credentials Required: Associate degree in clinical laboratory technology or a related field, certification (e.g., Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT) is often required, and state licensure may be required.

Clinical laboratory technicians collect and analyze samples of body fluids and tissues to help diagnose medical conditions. They operate laboratory equipment, prepare samples, and ensure accurate test results that aid healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating patients.

10. Patient Care Technician

Average Salary (2025): $38,498

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, completion of a training program, and certification (e.g., Certified Patient Care Technician, CPCT) may be preferred.

Patient care technicians work under the supervision of nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide basic care to patients.

Their duties may include taking vital signs, helping with daily activities such as bathing and dressing, and performing basic medical procedures such as drawing blood.

11. Behavioral Health Technician

Average Salary (2025): $42,000

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, on-the-job training or a short-term training program, and preferably relevant experience in mental health care.

Behavioral health technicians assist in the care of patients with mental health or substance abuse disorders. They may help patients with daily activities, monitor their behavior, and assist with therapy sessions.

12. EKG Technician

Average Salary (2025): $54,300

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, completion of an EKG technician training program, and certification (e.g., Certified EKG Technician, CET) may be preferred.

EKG technicians administer electrocardiogram (EKG) tests, which measure the electrical activity of the heart. They may also assist with stress tests and Holter monitoring.

13. Dialysis Technician

Average Salary (2025): $45,856

Credentials Required: High school diploma or equivalent, completion of a dialysis technician training program, and certification (e.g., Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician, CCHT) may be required.

Dialysis technicians are healthcare professionals who operate and maintain equipment used in dialysis treatments for patients with kidney disease. They may also monitor patients during treatments and record their vital signs.

14. Surgical Technologist

Average Salary (2025): $52,492

Credentials Required: Postsecondary non-degree program, certification (e.g., Certified Surgical Technologist, CST) is often required, and state licensure may be required.

Surgical technologists assist surgeons during surgical procedures by preparing equipment, ensuring a sterile environment, passing instruments to the surgical team, and helping with patient positioning.

15. Radiologic Technologist

Average Salary (2025): $61,552

Credentials Required: Associate degree program in radiologic technology, while certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and state licensure may be required.

Radiologic technologists operate imaging equipment, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to produce images of the body that help doctors diagnose medical conditions. They work closely with physicians to ensure high-quality images that aid in diagnosing patients.

Job Application Advice

Here are our quick tips on pre-meds or med school applicants applying for clinical experience jobs:

• In everything, be confident but not arrogant. Display your talents and accomplishments, but don’t appear entitled.
• Prioritize jobs with direct patient interaction, preferably where you engage in patient care.
• Craft a strong resume and cover letter. Keep it simple and professional.
• Obtain referrals from professors or previous clinical employers.
• Select a job where your previous medical background and experience make you an attractive candidate.
• Apply for a job that aligns with your future goals.
• Aim for at least 150-200 hours of clinical experience. Getting to 300 hours would make you more competitive for getting into medical school. 

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