A Health Specialties Professor is an educator in higher education who specializes in teaching a variety of health-related subjects. They are responsible for instructing students in fields like medicine, dentistry, public health, pharmacy, and allied health sciences.
Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Years in related career: Less than 5 years
On-the-job training: None
Projected Growth: 19.1% (far above average)
Annual job openings: 27,400
Direct AI exposure: 18% of tasks
Potential AI exposure: 60% of tasks
| According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average income (in USD) in 2025 was $107K per year. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | Bottom 25% | Median (average) | Top 25% | Top 10% |
| $59K per year | $76K per year | $107K per year | $210K per year | $322K per year |
| Compared to other careers: Median is $56K above the national average. | ||||
These professionals typically work in academic settings such as universities, colleges, medical schools, and teaching hospitals. Their environment may include classrooms, laboratories, and clinical settings, depending on their specialty.
Health Specialties Professors are crucial in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. They bring a wealth of practical experience and academic knowledge to their teaching roles, often combining teaching with active practice in their field. This dual role keeps them at the forefront of advancements in healthcare, which they can pass on to their students.
In addition to teaching, these professors engage in research to advance understanding in their field, often securing grants and publishing their findings in academic journals. Their research can have a significant impact on healthcare practices and policies.
Balancing teaching and research with clinical practice (if applicable) requires strong organizational and time management skills. These educators play a vital role in shaping the healthcare workforce, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the healthcare industry.
The required education level can vary significantly based on the specialty. Generally, a doctoral degree or a professional degree in the specific health field, such as M.D., D.D.S., or Pharm.D., is required, which can mean 6-8 years of post-bachelor's education.
Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.