Healthcare Training Programs Compared
Seven entry points into healthcare that take a year or less, compared on what matters: how long training takes, what it costs, and what the job pays.
| Program | Schools | Typical length | Median cost | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA Classes | 487 | 5 wk | $1,382 | $42,260 |
| LPN Programs | 940 | 48 wk | $18,375 | $64,400 |
| Medical Assistant Programs | 1,060 | 36 wk | $17,236 | $45,690 |
| Phlebotomy Classes | 319 | 13 wk | $2,060 | $45,230 |
| EMT & Paramedic Classes | 681 | 33 wk | $2,000 | $44,470 |
| Pharmacy Technician Programs | 334 | — | $17,400 | $45,750 |
| Dental Assistant Programs | 549 | 40 wk | $17,400 | $48,070 |
Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) help patients with bathing, dressing, eating, moving and vital signs, under the supervision of nurses. It is one of the fastest ways into healthcare: most programs finish in weeks, not years.
Credential: State nurse aide certification and listing on your state’s nurse aide registry. Length: Federal rules require at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses (called licensed vocational nurses, or LVNs, in California and Texas) give basic nursing care such as monitoring health, changing dressings and reporting to RNs and doctors.
Credential: A state practical/vocational nursing license from your state board of nursing. Length: State-approved practical nursing programs usually take about a year of full-time study; part-time and associate-degree routes take longer.
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants handle both clinical and administrative work in clinics and physician offices: taking vitals, preparing patients, drawing blood in some settings, scheduling and updating records.
Credential: Most states do not license medical assistants, but employers widely prefer a national certification. Length: Certificate and diploma programs commonly run about 9 to 12 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research and donations. They work in hospitals, labs, blood donor centers and doctors’ offices.
Credential: Most states do not require a license; California, Louisiana, Nevada and Washington do require state certification or licensure. Length: Many phlebotomy programs are short certificates, often a few weeks to a few months, including a required number of supervised blood draws.
Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technicians respond to 911 calls, assess patients, give emergency care and transport people to hospitals. EMT is the entry level of the EMS career ladder that leads to advanced EMT and paramedic. Federal education data reports EMT and paramedic training together, so school counts and lengths here include both; certificates under one year are typically EMT-Basic.
Credential: A state EMT license or certification. Length: EMT courses commonly run one academic semester or an accelerated few weeks, plus clinical or field ride-along hours.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescriptions: measuring medication, labeling, managing inventory and processing insurance, in retail and hospital pharmacies.
Credential: Registration, licensure or certification with your state board of pharmacy (requirements vary widely by state). Length: Certificate programs commonly take a few months to a year; associate-degree programs take about 2 years.
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants prepare patients and instruments, assist dentists chairside, take x-rays where permitted, and keep patient records.
Credential: Requirements vary by state, from none to registration or licensure, and often separate permits for radiography and expanded functions. Length: CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.