Ranked list · updated 2026-10-09
Highest-paying allied health & medical support credentials
43 allied health & medical support credentials are ranked below by the median annual wage published for the occupation each one unlocks. Every figure is quoted from the source named inside that credential's own guide, and the exam fee shown beside it comes from the awarding body.
- Credentials ranked
- 43
- Exam fees
- $60–$425
- Field
- Allied Health & Medical Support
Which allied health & medical support credentials lead to the highest published pay?
The 43 credentials below are ordered by the median annual wage published for the occupation each one unlocks. The order is computed from the researched guides; the sentence printed for each credential is that guide's own sourced headline, reproduced verbatim so its attribution stays attached to the number.
| # | Credential | Published median for the occupation it unlocks (quoted) | Exam fee | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARRT Radiation Therapy Certification | Radiation therapists earned a May 2024 BLS median of $101,990 — the highest of the imaging-technologist family. | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 2 | ARRT Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification | Nuclear medicine technologists earned a May 2024 BLS median of $97,020, and the ARRT (N) credential is one of the two standard routes into the field. | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 3 | BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse | $93,600 median for registered nurses (BLS SOC 29-1141, May 2024) | ~$380 | 2026-08 |
| 4 | BCEN Certified Flight Registered Nurse | $93,600 median for registered nurses (BLS SOC 29-1141, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 5 | BCEN Trauma Certified Registered Nurse | $93,600 median for registered nurses (BLS SOC 29-1141, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 6 | ARRT Breast Sonography Certification | Diagnostic medical sonographers earned a May 2024 BLS median of $89,340, and the BS credential is the specialty pathway into breast ultrasound. | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 7 | ARRT Sonography Certification | Expect diagnostic-medical-sonographer pay at a May 2024 median of $89,340 (BLS) — the ARDMS credential gates the occupation, and the SPI plus specialty-exam pathway is the industry-standard route | ~$250-300 per exam | 2026-08 |
| 8 | ARRT Vascular Sonography Certification | $89,340 median for diagnostic medical sonographers (SOC 29-2032, BLS May 2024) — the occupation that employs most RVT credential holders | ~$200-$250 | 2026-08 |
| 9 | ARRT Magnetic Resonance Imaging Certification | $88,180 median for magnetic resonance imaging technologists (SOC 29-2035, BLS May 2024) — a direct match for the ARRT MRI credential | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 10 | ARRT Cardiac Interventional Radiography Certification | Radiologic technologists earned a May 2024 BLS median of $77,660, and the CI credential is the specialized pathway into cardiac catheterization labs. | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 11 | ARRT Computed Tomography Certification | Radiologic technologists earned a May 2024 BLS median of $77,660, and the CT credential is the standard path to higher-paying imaging roles. | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 12 | ARRT Mammography Certification | Radiologic and MRI technologists earned a May 2024 BLS median of $77,660, and the Mammography credential (R.T.(R)(M)) is the standard qualification for breast-imaging roles. | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 13 | ARRT Radiography Certification | Expect radiologic-technologist pay at a May 2024 median of $77,660 (BLS) — the ARRT certification and state licensure gate the occupation, and radiography is the entry certification for the imaging career ladder | ~$225 | 2026-08 |
| 14 | ARRT Vascular Interventional Radiography Certification | Radiologic technologists earned a May 2024 BLS median of $77,660, and the VI credential is the standard path to higher-paying interventional roles. | $225 | 2026-08 |
| 15 | NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist | $62,830 median for surgical technologists (BLS, May 2024) — SOC 29-2055 | $190 | 2026-08 |
| 16 | NCCT Technician Specialist Certification | $62,830 median for surgical technologists (BLS SOC 29-2055, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 17 | AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist | $50,250 median for medical records specialists (SOC 29-2072, BLS May 2024) — the occupation that employs most CCS holders | $299 | 2026-08 |
| 18 | AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician | Medical records specialists earned a May 2024 BLS median of $50,250, and the RHIT is the standard associate-level credential for health-information roles. | $229/$299 | 2026-08 |
| 19 | NHA Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist | $50,250 median for medical records specialists (BLS, May 2024) — SOC 29-2072 | $117 | 2026-08 |
| 20 | AAPC Certified Professional Coder | $48,890 median for medical records specialists (BLS, May 2024) | $425 ($499 with second attempt) | 2026-08 |
| 21 | AHIMA Certified Coding Associate | $48,890 median for medical records specialists (BLS, May 2024) | $199 AHIMA member / $299 non-member | 2026-08 |
| 22 | DANB Infection Control Exam | $47,840 median for dental assistants (BLS, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 23 | DANB Radiation Health and Safety Exam | $47,840 median for dental assistants (BLS, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 24 | DANB General Chairside Exam | Expect dental-assistant pay at a May 2024 median of $47,300 (BLS) — the DANB GC (Infection Control) exam is the credential many state boards require, and it is the most-taken DANB certification | ~$90 | 2026-08 |
| 25 | NREMT Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Certification | $46,350 median for EMTs and paramedics (BLS, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 26 | NREMT Emergency Medical Responder Certification | EMR is the entry rung of the EMS ladder — the occupation it leads to, EMTs and paramedics, earns a May 2024 median of $46,350 (BLS), with advancement to paramedic paying substantially more | ~$125 registration | 2026-08 |
| 27 | NREMT Emergency Medical Technician Certification | $46,350 median for EMTs and paramedics (BLS SOC 29-2041, May 2024); EMT-specific about $41,340 | ~$104 initial cognitive exam (state fees may apply) | 2026-08 |
| 28 | NREMT Paramedic Certification | $46,350 median for EMTs and paramedics (BLS, May 2024) | Confirm the current NREMT exam fee in the candidate handbook (higher than the EMT-level fee) | 2026-08 |
| 29 | NHA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant | $44,640 median for medical secretaries and administrative assistants (BLS SOC 43-6013, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 30 | AMT Registered Medical Assistant | Expect medical-assistant pay at a May 2024 median of $44,200 (BLS) — the RMA is one of the two major medical-assistant credentials, and certification is the hiring standard for the occupation | ~$135-165 | 2026-08 |
| 31 | NCCT National Certified Medical Assistant | $44,200 median annual wage for medical assistants, SOC 31-9092 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024) | ~$119 | 2026-08 |
| 32 | NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant | $44,200 median for medical assistants (BLS OOH, May 2024) — the role the CCMA credential supports. | ~$155 | 2026-08 |
| 33 | JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant | Ophthalmic medical technicians earned a May 2024 BLS median of $44,080, and the COA is the entry-level credential on the eye-care technician ladder. | ~$275 | 2026-08 |
| 34 | AAB Phlebotomy Certification | $43,660 median for phlebotomists (BLS, May 2024) | AAB exam fee (modest; confirm the current fee on the AAB site) | 2026-08 |
| 35 | NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician | $43,460 median annual wage for pharmacy technicians, SOC 29-2052 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024) | ~$125 | 2026-08 |
| 36 | PTCB Billing and Reimbursement Assessment | $43,460 median for pharmacy technicians (BLS SOC 29-2052, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 37 | PTCB Immunization Delivery Assessment | $43,460 median for pharmacy technicians (BLS SOC 29-2052, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 38 | PTCB Nonsterile Compounding Assessment | $43,460 median for pharmacy technicians (BLS SOC 29-2052, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 39 | NHA Mental Health Technician Certification | $42,590 median for psychiatric technicians (BLS SOC 29-2053, May 2024) — the closest official fit for the mental health technician role | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 40 | PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician | $41,380 median for pharmacy technicians (BLS, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 41 | NCCT Patient Care Technician Certification | $39,530 median for nursing assistants (BLS SOC 31-1131, May 2024) — the closest official fit for the patient care technician role | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 42 | NNAAP Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation | $39,530 median for nursing assistants (BLS SOC 31-1131, May 2024) | State-set (commonly $60-$120) | 2026-08 |
| 43 | NHA Patient Care Technician Certification | $38,130 median for nursing assistants (BLS, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
What does this ranking actually measure?
Ranked by the median annual wage published for the occupation each credential unlocks, most recent figure per occupation, quoted from the source named in the guide (usually the BLS occupational series). A credential is the entry ticket to an occupation, not a pay guarantee: these are occupation medians, not starting salaries.
Each row also carries the month its guide was last checked against the primary source, so you can see how current the figure is before you rely on it. Fees and pass rules change; the guide linked from every row carries the authoritative reference.
Where does this field sit in the site-wide ranking?
The main ranking pools all 424 credential-with-median pairs across 15 fields, so a credential that leads this page may still sit outside the site-wide top 25 — and a credential outside this page's top few may rank highly overall. Use whichever view matches the question you are answering.
- All fields, site-wide ranking 424 ranked
- Accounting & Tax 8 ranked
- Admissions & Academic Testing 33 ranked
- Finance & Securities 20 ranked
- Fitness, Wellness & Personal Care 27 ranked
- Food Safety & Hospitality 17 ranked
- Government & Public Safety 18 ranked
- Healthcare & Clinical Licensure 10 ranked
- Insurance & Risk 7 ranked
- IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity 122 ranked
- Project Management & Business 22 ranked
- Teaching & Education 42 ranked
- Trades, Construction & Engineering 24 ranked
- Transportation & Aviation 16 ranked
- Workplace Safety 15 ranked
Frequently asked questions
How many allied health & medical support credentials are ranked here?
43 of this field's published guides carry a citable occupation median and are ranked below. Site-wide, 424 credentials across 15 fields are ranked, so this page is a subset of the main list rather than an alternative to it.
What does a allied health & medical support credential cost to attempt?
Exam fees across this field's ranked credentials run from about $60 to $425. Fee is what the exam costs to sit; the median quoted for each row is what the occupation pays once you hold the credential, and the two do not move together.
Is the highest-paying allied health & medical support credential the right one to start with?
Not necessarily. The ranking orders by the median for the occupation each credential unlocks, and several of the credentials here are sequential steps in the same career path rather than competing alternatives — one may be the prerequisite for another on this list. Read the guide for a credential's eligibility rules before treating its position here as a starting recommendation.
Why is a credential I expected to see missing?
Only credentials with a published occupation median appear. A credential whose guide does not carry a citable median is left out rather than estimated, and any credential whose researched text marks its exam as retired, withdrawn or no longer obtainable is removed — pointing at a dead exam in a recommendation list would be actively misleading.