Career guides / Careers in healthcare

24 employers, including councils and charities, are currently hiring healthcare professionals across the UK.

Types of healthcare roles in the UK

Healthcare offers a diverse variety of specialisms, ranging from positions in fitness, to dentistry, and from scientific research to general practitioners. The most common job titles advertised on Jobs Go Public for health professionals include:

• Occupational Therapist
• Public Health Officer
• Fitness Instructor
• Nurse
• Biomedical Scientist
• Dental Professional
• Public Health Analyst
• Psychologist / Mental Health Practitioner
• Speech & Language Therapist
• Doctor
• Physiotherapist
• Public Health Programme Manager

Salary overview for health jobs in the UK

Salaries vary depending on the role, experience level, employer, and location. Healthcare typically carries higher entry-level salaries than other public sector occupations, reflecting the entry qualification requirements.

Typical average salary ranges in 2026:

• Entry level: £37,186 - £41,704 per year
• Mid-level: £47,643 - £52,304 per year
• Senior level: £91,342 - £117,800 per year

FAQs about careers in healthcare

What jobs can you do in healthcare?

Healthcare covers a much wider range of roles than many people realise. In the public sector, you'll find clinical roles such as registered nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and dentists.

There are also public health positions, including health improvement practitioners, epidemiologists, and consultants in public health. Health promotion roles—like health trainers, wellbeing officers, and fitness instructors—support community health programmes.

Behind the scenes, healthcare scientific support workers, biomedical scientists, and laboratory staff carry out vital research and diagnostics. Programme managers and commissioning officers keep services running.

Which healthcare job pays the most?

In the public sector, the highest-paid healthcare roles are medical directors and directors of public health, with salaries regularly exceeding £100,000. Consultant-level clinicians—including psychiatrists, GPs, and specialist physicians—also command six-figure salaries.

Among therapy roles, senior occupational therapists and consultant physiotherapists can earn £50,000–£60,000 or more. Public health consultants in local government typically earn between £85,000 and £120,000.

What healthcare jobs can I get without a degree?

Several healthcare roles are accessible without a degree. Healthcare assistants, health improvement workers, and health trainers typically require no formal degree. Employers look for transferable skills and provide on-the-job training.

Fitness and wellbeing instructor roles in public health programmes are another entry point, as are medical laboratory assistants and healthcare scientific support workers. Pharmacy technicians can qualify through vocational routes rather than degree study.

Many public sector employers also offer apprenticeships that let you earn while working towards recognised qualifications, creating a structured pathway into healthcare without university.

How do I get a job in healthcare?

The route into healthcare depends on the role. Clinical positions like nursing and occupational therapy require specific degrees and professional registration.

However, many public sector healthcare roles—including health improvement workers, healthcare assistants, and wellbeing officers—are open to candidates with relevant transferable skills and no clinical background.

Start by identifying which area interests you: clinical care, public health, health promotion, or scientific research. Check specialist public sector job boards for current vacancies and read the person specifications carefully, as many roles offer training to successful applicants.

What is a healthcare administration job?

Healthcare administration roles focus on the planning, coordination, and management of health services rather than direct patient care. In the public sector, these include public health programme managers, commissioning officers, health project coordinators, and business support roles within council health teams.

These roles suit people with strong organisational and analytical skills who want to make a difference in healthcare without a clinical qualification.

What are the best healthcare jobs?

The best healthcare job depends on what matters most to you. If you want strong earning potential with clinical responsibility, roles like consultant physician, director of public health, or GP offer salaries exceeding £100,000.

For hands-on patient-facing work without years of university study, healthcare assistant and health trainer roles provide a rewarding entry point. Occupational therapy is one of the most in-demand therapy roles in local government, while public health roles offer the chance to shape health outcomes for entire communities.

Consider your priorities—salary, impact, flexibility, or career progression—and explore what's available.

Is healthcare a good career?

Healthcare offers strong job security, clear progression pathways, and the chance to make a tangible difference to people's lives. In the public sector, benefits typically include fantastic pension schemes, generous annual leave, and structured professional development.

Demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow across the UK, driven by an ageing population and expanding public health services. Roles range from entry-level positions with on-the-job training through to senior consultant posts earning six figures.

Whether you're drawn to clinical care, health promotion, research, or service management, healthcare provides varied and rewarding career options.