Medical technicians play a crucial role in diagnostics, but their skills can also lead to high-paying non-clinical positions. If you’re ready to explore new career options, here are five jobs that not only offer great salaries but also don’t require an advanced degree.

1. Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

Clinical research associates manage clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers, ensuring compliance with regulations and proper documentation. This role leverages your technical background in diagnostics and lab work. Salaries for CRAs typically range from $70,000 to $120,000, based on experience and the scope of trials.

Why it Pays Well:
Pharmaceutical and medical device industries rely heavily on CRAs to ensure the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, making this a high-demand and well-compensated field.

Qualifications You Need:

• Clinical research experience or certification (e.g., Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP))
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. 
• Experience in clinical settings or diagnostics can be beneficial
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills

If your facility has a research department, consider starting here, then work your way up to working directly for pharmaceutical companies. You could even dip your toes into this field by acting as a liaison between your department and the CRA’s to get a working understanding and beginner experience working with clinical trials.

2. Clinical or Field Application Specialist

Field application specialists support medical devices by providing training and technical support to healthcare professionals. This role often requires travel, but it allows you to stay connected to the healthcare industry without being confined to a lab. Salaries typically range from $75,000 to $100,000, with additional perks like travel allowances and bonuses.

Why it Pays Well:
Field application specialists are crucial for ensuring that medical technologies are used effectively, improving patient outcomes and provider efficiency.

Qualifications You Need:

• Strong presentation and communication skills for training healthcare professionals
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Technical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and provide support
• I suggest getting any certifications that you can, especially if your employer offers them- they will help you stand out when applying.

I’ve recently posted a couple of articles about Application Specialists. I encourage you to read them to learn more!

Clinical Application Specialists: A Career Path for Healthcare Technicians

From Retail to Medical Devices: A Pharmacy Technician’s Career Transition

3. Medical Device Sales Representative

Medical device sales representatives connect healthcare providers with the tools they need, helping to sell and provide support for new devices or equipment. With a strong technical background in medical technologies, you’re already well-prepared to explain complex products to clients. Medical device sales reps can earn between $80,000 and $150,000, with commission-based structures that allow for even higher earnings.

Why it Pays Well:
The medical device industry is highly competitive, and companies value reps who can both sell and understand the technical details of their products, making this a lucrative option.

Qualifications You Need:

• A background in healthcare or medical technology
• Strong interpersonal and sales skills; building strong relationships with your potential clients will increase your sales potential. People are more willing to  buy from someone they trust.
• Ability to explain complex technical products clearly
• Sales training or experience (though some companies provide this)

The most successful examples I’ve seen of a medical technicians excelling in sales were professionals who started in a clinical setting, then moved to a clinical application specialist role, then were promoted within the same company to a sales role. They were able to jump right into sales without having to learn the product first, and that confidence showed when they were meeting with clients.

4. Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) Analyst

LIS analysts combine IT and lab expertise to maintain and troubleshoot systems that streamline laboratory workflows. Medical technicians with a background in clinical diagnostics are ideal candidates for this tech-focused role. Salaries range from $75,000 to $110,000, depending on the size of the organization and complexity of the systems managed, and many appear to be work from home..

Why it Pays Well:
Keeping lab operations running smoothly and efficiently through tech solutions is a high-value skill, and hospitals or diagnostic centers are willing to invest in experts.

Qualifications You Need:

• Experience with laboratory information systems or healthcare IT
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Knowledge of lab workflows and processes
• Basic IT or software troubleshooting experience

This position is not limited to people with lab backgrounds only, but it might give you an advantage (I recently saw on a chat board someone with no lab experience, and a degree in history with this job!). Consider learning some basic programming, such as Structure Query Language (SQL) (Here is a free course on Coursera) and try to learn more about your facility’s LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System).

5. Informatics Specialist

Informatics specialists bridge the gap between clinical staff and IT departments by working to improve the management of patient data and healthcare systems. Medical technicians with experience in lab environments are well-suited for these roles, which may only require a high school diploma and clinical experience. Salaries typically range from $65,000 to $90,000.

Why it Pays Well:
As healthcare systems become more digitized, informatics specialists are key to ensuring that data systems function smoothly, making it an in-demand role across various settings.

Qualifications You Need:

• Basic IT knowledge and familiarity with healthcare data systems
• Clinical experience, particularly in lab or diagnostic environments
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Additional certification in health informatics or a related field is a plus

Most large hospitals have their own informatics department, and many like to hire from within the departments they are supporting. If you are burnt out on the hospital system entirely, look at the EMR companies directly- for example, Epic is regularly hiring, although they might require you to move to Wisconsin (seriously though, check out their Tiktok page– their campus is amazing; the move might be worth it!).

Conclusion

Medical technicians have the technical skills to excel in many well-paying non-bedside jobs. Whether it’s diving into the tech side of healthcare or representing cutting-edge devices, the opportunities are vast. These roles provide competitive salaries while allowing you to leverage your experience and offering significant growth opportunities as healthcare continues to integrate more technology and innovation.