8 Jobs You Can Get with a Health Science Degree

Key takeaways

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BHS) degree may lead to jobs ranging from health science writer to dietitian. 

• Approximately 1.9 million job openings in the health care industry may become available each year from 2024 to 2034 [1].

• After finishing your bachelor’s degree, you may move on to a master’s degree or a professional degree in this field.

• You can explore professional degrees to expand to more advanced roles as a physician assistant or dentist. 

With your BHS, you may be interested in entering the workforce or seeking a master’s degree or professional degree to deepen your expertise and skill set. Discover the roles and degrees you can explore with a bachelor’s degree in health science.

Is a health science degree useful?

A health science degree is useful for many different kinds of jobs in the growing health care industry. Many fields in health care have a positive effect on people’s lives, making it a fulfilling career. About 1.9 million health care job openings are likely each year over the next decade [1].

What can you do with a health science degree? 8 jobs to explore

Below, you’ll find eight roles you can get with a BHS. We’ve pulled together salary information and, where possible, job growth data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Glassdoor. Although each job’s most common entry-level requirement is a bachelor’s degree, you may find that companies and organizations have different degree and experience requirements.

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of November 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Community health worker

Every community has different health needs, and there are times when community members may need help navigating available services. Community health workers serve as intermediaries who make it easier for community members to access various health services. There may be times when community health workers also conduct outreach, take part in education, or even deliver specific services, like blood pressure screenings.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $52,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 11 percent [2]

• This role might be a good fit if you have a strong sense of empathy, enjoy listening, are knowledgeable about a specific community, and enjoy working with both data and people.

Read more: In-Demand Community Health Worker Skills to Boost Your Resume

2. Health science writer

Many people turn to publications or websites to gain valuable health information. A health science writer is a journalist who tends to focus on health-related topics. They might work as a freelance writer and contribute to multiple outlets or as a staff writer at one exclusive outlet. Many health science writers have robust knowledge of health and some lab experience.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $165,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 percent [3]

• This role might be a good fit if you enjoy researching, writing, editing, and covering multiple health topics.

3. Biostatistician

Many questions in medicine require expert knowledge of mathematics and statistics to answer. Biostatisticians are the medical researchers who find answers. They design studies, collect and analyze data, and interpret findings to develop reports that inform policies and strategies around health. Biostatisticians can work for federal or local governments, in academic settings such as universities, or in research labs.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $127,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 8 percent [4]

• This role might be a good fit if you enjoy being detail-oriented, have some knowledge of computers and data analysis systems such as Statistical Analysis System (SAS), and are naturally curious.

4. Pharmaceutical sales representative

Pharmaceutical sales reps educate medical practitioners about new and existing drug therapies. They do not “sell” a drug so much as alert a doctor to its existence and benefits so they’re better informed about possible treatments for their patients. Thanks to the specialized nature of their work, pharmaceutical sales reps often need to have some scientific knowledge to discuss their products.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $163,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 1 percent [5]

• This role might be a good fit if you enjoy connecting with people and developing relationships, are motivated and a self-starter, and have an interest in medicine.

5. Substance abuse counselor

Substance abuse counselors provide guidance and support for people who use drugs or alcohol in a way that becomes harmful. They may work one-on-one with patients or in group settings to discuss the motivations behind substance use, ways to decrease it, and other constructive techniques to build healthier behaviors.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $65,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 17 percent [6]

• This role might be a good fit if you enjoy working with people, have a strong listening ability, and are empathetic.

6. Patient care advocate

The medical system can be cumbersome to navigate, which is where patient care advocates—sometimes called health care advocates—come in. They often work individually with patients, helping them understand a diagnosis, seek the best treatment, and even communicate with insurance to address billing questions. Patient care advocates can work on behalf of a hospital or medical office or as freelancers.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $49,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 6 percent [7]

• This role might be a good fit if you enjoy working with people, have a strong understanding of the medical industry, and can communicate clearly.

7. Cytotechnologist

A patient’s cells can reveal a specific picture, leading to better diagnoses and treatments. Cytotechnologists work in labs, examining cells under a microscope and looking for abnormalities that may help determine a diagnosis. Cytotechnologists may work at hospitals, universities, or in research labs.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $105,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 2 percent [8]

• This role might be a good fit if you are a critical thinker and you enjoy gathering and analyzing data and interpreting your findings.

8. Dietitian

A dietitian works in nutrition science. They may take on a counseling focus, meeting with individual patients or groups to educate, plan menus and meals, and discuss behavioral motivations. Or they may work in nutrition research, studying and testing new food products. Dietitian roles typically require licensure on top of a bachelor’s degree, though you may find that companies require an advanced graduate degree for many roles.

• Median total annual salary (Glassdoor): $95,000

• Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 6 percent [9]

• This role might be a good fit if you enjoy evaluating and solving problems, defining people’s needs, working closely with them, and conducting research.

Graduate/professional degrees you can pursue with a BS in health science

Students studying health science at the bachelor’s level often do so to prepare for a graduate or professional degree. Those interested in being a medical practitioner might opt to study health science rather than a more traditional “pre-med” track, such as biology or chemistry. Those interested in advanced administrative health care roles can prepare to pursue a master’s in a specific field, such as public health, by first earning their BHS.

Once you have earned your bachelor’s in health science, you can pursue advanced education, including the following degrees:

Master’s degrees:

• Master of Social Work (MSW)

• Master of Public Health (MPH) 

• Master of Health Care Administration (MHA)

Professional degrees:

• Physical therapy (DPT)

• Optometry (OD)

• Veterinary (DVM)

• Dentistry (DDS)

• Physician assistant (PA) 

• Medicine (MD)

Resources for your professional growth in health science

Explore your career options and get professional tips by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Then, discover free, digital resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Breaking the Stigma: How to Talk About Mental Health in the Workplace

• Take a quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Gain insights: AI in Health Care: Uses, Benefits, and Concerns

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