U.S. News & World Report last week released its list of the 15 "Best Jobs that Help People" in 2023, which included 13 healthcare jobs that "enhance people's well-being and help them accomplish their personal goals, big or small."

About the list

For the list, U.S. News & World Report pulled data from its 2023 "Best Jobs" list, which highlighted jobs with strong salaries and good growth prospects, then identified jobs with key tasks that involved assisting others. Salary information is based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to U.S. News & World Report, "[t]he jobs on this list enhance people's well-being and help them accomplish their personal goals, big or small. Many offer you a chance to see the positive impact you're making throughout a lifetime."

"For some of us, job satisfaction means more than having a great salary or work-life balance," the report said. "It's important to know that you're also making a difference in someone's life."

The top healthcare 'Jobs that Help People'

Of the 15 jobs recognized on the list, 13 fall within the healthcare industry. According to U.S. News & World Report the top healthcare "Jobs that Help People" are:

1. Nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioner also claimed the top spot in U.S. News' "Best Health Care Jobs." It has a low unemployment rate (0.4%) and a median salary of $120,680.

According to U.S. News, nurse practitioners can demonstrate compassion and interpersonal skills while providing primary and specialty care, designing patient care plans, and helping patients and their families make health improvements.

2. Physician assistant

Physician assistant (PA) also claimed the No. 2 spot in the "Best Health Care Jobs" list. It has a low unemployment rate (1.2%) and a median salary of $121,530.

"Since [PAs] provide direct care to patients who may be in pain, it's important to good have communication and people skills," the report said. "This is a great role for having a direct effect on healing people who need it."

3. Physical therapist

This job also ranked No. 3 in the "Best Health Care Jobs" list. It has a low 0.7% unemployment rate and a median salary of $95,620.

"Physical therapists are directly involved with helping people recover their mobility and strength," the report noted. "They encourage people and take them through exercises."

4. Dentist

This job ranked No. 4 on the "Best Health Care Jobs" list and has a high median salary of $160,370.

Dentists are tasked with ensuring oral health. In addition, they must practice patience when caring for patients who are nervous about receiving dental care.

6. Physician

Physician is ranked No. 6 on the "Best Paying Jobs" and "Best Health Care Jobs" lists. This job has an unemployment rate of 0.3% and a median salary of $208,000.

Physicians "keep people healthy by helping them understand health issues and treating injuries, diseases and other concerns," the report said.

7. Orthodontist

Orthodontist also ranked No. 7 in the "Best Health Care Jobs" list. It has a low unemployment rate of 0.5% and a median salary of $208,000.  

"Ensuring that someone has a great smile they can feel confident about all their lives is very rewarding," the report said.

8. RN

RN also ranked No. 8 in the "Best Health Care Jobs" list. It has a low unemployment rate of 1.6% and a median salary of $77,600.  

RNs observe patients and provide care, health education, and direction. According to the report, "[c]ompassion and stability are traits that registered nurses need to help patients in emergencies, dealing with pain or illness."

9. Occupational therapy assistant

This job claimed the No. 1 spot in the "Best Health Care Support Jobs" list and has a 25% projected 10-year job growth. It has a median salary of $61,730.

In this role, professionals "work with people who need help getting back to daily living, by performing therapy and recording progress," the report said.

11. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon

This job ranked No. 2 in the "Best Paying Jobs" list and No. 9 in the "Best Health Care Jobs" list. It has a low 0.3% unemployment rate and a median salary of $208,000.

Surgeons in this occupation help people by removing "impacted teeth, among other procedures, such as life-changing cleft lip and palate surgery," according to the report.

12. Speech-language pathologist

This job ranked No. 11 in the "Best Health Care Jobs list." It has a low 1.7% unemployment rate, with a job outlook of 21.3% over the next 10 years. The median salary is $79,060.

Speech-language pathologists help individuals struggling with their voice or speaking. In addition, they help people with swallowing and feeding disorders.

13. Psychiatrist

This job ranked No. 7 on the "Best Paying Jobs" list. It has a median salary of $208,000.

According to the report, psychiatrists "help people deal with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, insomnia and lots of other mental or behavioral health issues."

14. Optometrist

This job ranked No. 13 on the "Best Health Care Jobs" list. Optometrists are "directly involved in improving the quality of a person's life," the report said. They administer vision tests, prescribe contacts and glasses, check for eye diseases, offer advice on eye care, and perform minor procedures to help patients recover their vision. This job has a median salary of $124,300.

15. Pediatrician

This job ranked No. 9 on the "Best Paying Jobs" list. It has a low 0.3% unemployment rate and a median salary of $170,480.

"Pediatricians treat injuries, diseases, give vaccinations and other care specific to babies, children, teens and young adults," the report said. (Gooch, Becker's Hospital Review, 3/13; Ingram, U.S. News & World Report, 3/7)