Careers in this pathway are related to the promotion of health and treatment of disease. These include research, prevention, treatment, and health related technologies.

If you like caring for people or animals and helping restore or maintain health, this might be the right career path for you. If you’re interested in diseases and how the body works, and you enjoy reading about science and medicine, consider a career in the health sciences.

Salary Range (Kalamazoo/Portage)

Dental Hygienist

$45,350 - $75,400

EMT & Paramedic*

$28,600 - $69,900

Medical Assistant

$25,570 - $37,920

Job Outlook

Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 19 percent by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.3 million new jobs. This growth is expected due to an aging population and because federal health insurance reform should increase the number of individuals who have access to health insurance.

Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, a semi-annual survey that provides wage and employment statistics for the nation, each state, and sub-state regions.

*Journal of Emergency Medical Services annual salary survey,

2015 Salary Survey (JEMS) Region 5- Midwest (includes MI)