What Is Allied Health? A Complete Guide for Clinicians
When a patient walks into a hospital or clinic, they’re often met by more than just a doctor or nurse. It might be a respiratory therapist helping them breathe easier, a radiologic technologist capturing the images that lead to diagnosis, or a physical therapist guiding them through recovery after surgery. These are all examples of allied health professionals, the often-unsung heroes who make up over half of the healthcare workforce in the United States.
In this guide, you’ll learn what an allied health professional is, the most in-demand roles, how to get certified, allied health salary insights, and how to explore flexible allied health jobs and travel opportunities with SnapCare.
What Is an Allied Health Professional
Allied health professionals are a diverse group of healthcare workers who provide diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services. They play a crucial role in the healthcare system, working alongside physicians and nurses to deliver comprehensive patient care.
Unlike doctors and nurses, allied health professionals often specialize in specific areas, such as physical therapy, radiology, or laboratory science. Their expertise ensures that patients receive accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and essential support throughout their healthcare journey.
Types of Allied Health Professionals
Allied health encompasses a wide range of professions. Some of the most common include:
Physical Therapists (PTs): Help patients improve mobility and manage pain through physical rehabilitation.
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs): Work under the direction of PTs to provide hands-on support during exercises, monitor patient progress, and help implement treatment plans.
Occupational Therapists (OTs): Assist individuals in developing, recovering, or maintaining skills needed for daily living and meaningful activities.
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs): Work closely with OTs to deliver direct care and help patients improve functional abilities at home, work, or school.
Radiologic Technologists: Perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays and MRIs.
Respiratory Therapists: Treat patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.
Speech-Language Pathologists: Diagnose and treat speech, communication, and swallowing disorders.
Medical Laboratory Technicians: Conduct tests to help detect, diagnose, and treat diseases.
Dietitians and Nutritionists: Advise on proper nutrition to promote health and manage diseases.
Each of these roles requires specialized training and certification, ensuring that allied health professionals are equipped to provide high-quality care.
Why is Allied Health Important?
Allied health professionals are the engine behind many of the diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services that keep the healthcare system running smoothly. Their work is vital, not just to clinical operations, but to patient health outcomes.
Here’s why allied health is so essential:
They deliver whole-person care. From prevention and early diagnosis to treatment and recovery, allied health professionals cover the full continuum of care. They ensure patients receive support at every stage of their health journey.
They bring specialized knowledge to the team. With focused training in specific disciplines—like respiratory therapy, physical rehabilitation, or nutrition—these professionals provide in-depth expertise that enhances both accuracy and efficiency in patient care.
They free up physicians and nurses. By managing specialized procedures and services, allied health providers allow doctors and nurses to concentrate on acute medical needs and high-level care coordination.
They directly improve patient outcomes. Whether it’s a faster recovery, better chronic disease management, or simply a more positive care experience, allied health professionals help patients heal, thrive, and stay healthy.
Skills and Responsibilities of Allied Health Professionals
While responsibilities vary by profession, common skills and duties among allied health professionals include:
Technical Proficiency: Operating specialized equipment and performing complex procedures.
Analytical Skills: Interpreting test results and clinical data to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Communication: Educating patients about their conditions and treatments, and collaborating with other healthcare providers.
Compassion: Providing empathetic care and support to patients and their families.
Adaptability: Staying current with evolving medical technologies and practices.
These skills ensure that allied health professionals can deliver effective and patient-centered care.
Allied Health Salary Expectations
Salaries for allied health professionals vary based on factors such as specialization, experience, and location. Here's an overview of average annual salaries for select allied health roles in the United States:
Profession | Average Hourly Rate | Average Weekly Pay | Average Annual Salary |
Physical Therapist | $48.56 | $1,942.40 | $101,020 |
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) | $31.49 | $1,259.60 | $65,510 |
Occupational Therapist | $47.28 | $1,891.20 | $98,340 |
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) | $32.85 | $1,314.00 | $68,340 |
Speech-Language Pathologist | $45.87 | $1,834.80 | $95,410 |
Radiologic Technologist | $37.34 | $1,493.60 | $77,670 |
Respiratory Therapist | $38.68 | $1,547.20 | $80,450 |
Medical Laboratory Technician | $30.22 | $1,208.80 | $62,870 |
Dietitian/Nutritionist | $33.23 | $1,329.20 | $69,920 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024)
When considering geographic differences, certain states offer higher average salaries for allied health professionals. According to recent data from Salary.com and ZipRecruiter, the top-paying states include:
District of Columbia: $71,712
California: $71,440
Massachusetts: $70,488
Washington: $70,229
New Jersey: $70,203
How to Become an Allied Health Professional
Becoming an allied health professional is a rewarding path that opens the door to a wide variety of clinical roles. While each career track may have slightly different requirements, most follow a similar process. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:
1. Education
Your first step is to complete a formal education program tailored to your specific allied health career path. Educational requirements vary:
For roles like Medical Laboratory Technicians, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), or Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs), you’ll typically need an associate degree from an accredited institution.
For positions such as Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, or Speech-Language Pathologists, a bachelor’s or master’s degree is often required.
Programs typically include coursework in anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, and profession-specific topics.
It’s crucial to choose a program that is recognized by your state’s licensing board or relevant professional association to ensure eligibility for certification or licensure.
2. Clinical Experience
Most allied health education programs include a required number of clinical hours or practicums, where you’ll gain real-world experience in a supervised setting. This is your opportunity to:
Practice hands-on skills
Work with real patients
Learn from experienced clinicians
Develop confidence in your role
For example, a radiologic technologist may complete clinical rotations in hospitals or imaging centers, while a PTA may assist in rehabilitation clinics.
3. Certification
After completing your education and clinical training, you’ll need to pass a certification exam relevant to your field. These exams are typically offered by national or state boards, such as:
NBRC for respiratory therapists
ARRT for radiologic technologists
ASCP for medical lab technicians
NBCOT for occupational therapy practitioners
4. Licensure
Depending on your specialty and where you plan to work, you may also need to obtain state licensure in addition to national certification. Licensure ensures you meet your state’s specific legal and professional requirements.
For example, physical therapists and PTAs must be licensed in every state. Dietitians and respiratory therapists are also typically licensed at the state level. However, some roles, like medical assistants, may not require licensure but may benefit from optional certifications that enhance employability.
Always check with your state’s licensing board to confirm what’s required for your profession and location.
Where to Find Allied Health Jobs Near You
The demand for allied health professionals is on the rise, offering numerous job opportunities across various settings:
Hospitals and Clinics: Provide acute and outpatient care.
Rehabilitation Centers: Assist patients in recovering from injuries or surgeries.
Long-Term Care Facilities: Offer support for chronic conditions and aging populations.
Home Health Agencies: Deliver care in patients' homes.
Educational Institutions: Teach and train future healthcare professionals.
For those interested in flexibility and travel, allied health travel jobs are an excellent option. These positions allow professionals to work in different locations, gaining diverse experiences while enjoying the benefits of travel.
Visit our job board to explore high-paying allied health careers with instant pay, flexible schedules, and 24/7 dedicated clinician support.
Start Your Allied Health Career with SnapCare
Allied health professionals are vital contributors to the healthcare system, offering specialized services that enhance patient care. With diverse career paths, competitive salaries, and growing demand, allied health presents rewarding opportunities for clinicians.
Whether you're starting your journey or seeking new challenges, SnapCare is here to support you every step of the way. Create an account today to explore all our allied health job listings and discover the next exciting chapter in your healthcare career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between allied health and nursing?
Nurses are licensed professionals who provide direct patient care, manage care plans, and often supervise other staff. Allied health professionals specialize in specific areas such as diagnostics, rehabilitation, or therapy and support overall treatment and recovery.
What are the most in-demand allied health jobs?
Some of the fastest-growing allied health jobs include respiratory therapists, physical therapist assistants (PTAs), certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs), and radiologic technologists. Demand often varies by region and healthcare setting.
Is CPR or BLS certification required for allied health jobs?
Yes, most allied health positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification, especially in direct patient care roles. This ensures you're prepared to respond to emergencies during clinical care.
Are there online programs for allied health careers?
Yes! Many accredited schools now offer online or hybrid allied health courses for flexibility, especially for roles like medical billing, medical assisting, and health information management. Clinical hours may still need to be completed in person. Here are a few reputable options:
Purdue Global – Online Allied Health Programs: Offers associate, bachelor’s, and certificate programs in medical assisting, health science, and health informatics.
Penn Foster – Allied Health Certificates & Diplomas: Offers online certificate programs in medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician training, and physical therapy aide.
Herzing University – Online Allied Health Programs: Offers degrees and diplomas in medical assisting, health information management, and more—with hybrid clinical components.