Trainers work to keep athletes healthy and tend to them when they are injured. Educated in everything from anatomy to nutrition, athletic trainers work under the supervision of a physician. Most athletic trainers work for sports medicine clinics, to which many schools outsource their training needs, or colleges.

SALARY: About $28,000

EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree from an approved program; a master's is recommended. A licensing exam is required.

Speech pathologists help people who have speech, voice or language problems; audiologists work with those who have hearing difficulties. Both test and treat patients in settings from schools to hospitals. Speech pathologists help patients of all ages learn how to make sounds and improve their voices and language skills. They may research and devise alternative communication systems for those who are nonverbal. Audiologists determine the quality of patients' hearing and, if they have lost any hearing ability, help them compensate for the loss with devices such as hearing aids and by lip reading.

SALARY: Median for speech pathologists, $39,950; for audiologists, $40,122. Median for audiologists in the Northeast, $43,000, is highest in the nation.

EDUCATION: For both, a master's degree is now standard; a clinical fellowship year follows. Guidelines now under consideration propose making the PhD the standard for audiologists. A licensing exam is required.

Chiropractors treat patients whose problems are linked to the body's muscular and skeletal systems, particularly the spine. They are holistic practitioners, recognizing that many things, such as diet or stress, can affect health. They take medical histories and conduct physicals. Treatment may include manipulation of the spine or special therapies such as massage or heat.

SALARY: $87,072, national average.

EDUCATION: A doctor of chiropractic degree is required. A candidate must pass a national and state exam for licensure in Massachusetts.

Laboratory scientists analyze samples of blood, tissue and body fluids for the presence of disease, then use diagnostic and analytic techniques to discover the nature of health problems in patients. They work in hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices. They may also work in industry to develop new products such as home tests.

SALARY: Varies according to practice level and specialty. Technicians average $20,100; technologists, $26,100.

EDUCATION: An associate's degree in medical or biomedical technology qualifies a practitioner; a bachelor's degree qualifies a scientist.

Dental hygienists clean patients' teeth and check for tooth and mouth problems. They try to prevent such problems by teaching patients good dental care. Hygienists work under the supervision of a dentist, and most work in dentists' offices. Some work in hospitals, schools or public health projects; in some states - not Massachusetts - they may do so independently.

SALARY: Average weekly wage, $706.10

EDUCATION: An accredited program, usually leading to an associate's degree; must pass state and national licensing exams.

Dental technicians mold and make new teeth for patients. They also make orthodontic appliances.

SALARY: $22,269, national average. Wages are fairly low to to start, but rise quickly with experience.

EDUCATION: On-the-job training or formal training at the community college level. Certification is optional.

These assistants perform routine clinical and clerical duties in medical or dental offices. They may sterilize instruments, for instance. In dental offices, they may make casts of teeth or process X-ray film. In medical offices, they may change dressings or prepare patients for X-rays. Clinical duties vary with state regulations and physicians' requirements.

SALARY: National average for dental assistants, $10.48 per hour; average in New England, $12.29 per hour. Medical assistants average in the mid-$20,000s in the Boston area.

EDUCATION: No formal training is required in Massachusetts. However, it is often preferred and sometimes demanded by employers and some states.

A dentist works to keep patients' teeth and gums healthy. They provide preventive care, such as cleanings, and diagnose and treat problems when they occur. Many dentists specialize in such fields as orthodontic or periodontal work. Most dentists are in private practice.

SALARY: National average, $127,430; specialists average $177,590.

EDUCATION: A doctorate and state licensing exam are required.

Dietitians plan nutrition programs and supervise preparation of meals and sometimes the staff. They devise educational efforts to encourage healthy eating habits that prevent and treat disease. They are employed in institutions, such as schools and hospitals, in community health centers or in homes. For clinical nutrition, $34,131; for community nutrition, $33,902.

EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition or a related field is necessary; a master's degree may be preferred. Registered dieticians must serve an internship and pass a national exam; the credential is required by some employers.

These health professionals have the much more precise name of neuroelectrodiagnosticians. EEG stands for electroencephalogram, a diagnostic tool that tests brain waves. But it is just one of the tests these technologists perform in their work of measuring brain and spinal cord function. Testing may be done in the lab or operating room or even while a patient is walking around. Long-term monitoring is performed on an ambulatory basis; patients carry the testing equipment around the clock for a specified time period. The technologists monitor the patient and review the readouts from the machine.

SALARY: Boston starting salaries range from the high $20,000s to the low $30,000s. The national median for all EEG technologists is $24,710.

EDUCATION: A certificate or associate's degree in clinical neurophysiological technology. Computers are increasingly used and they are increasingly sophisticated; EEG techs must be also.

EMTs are the first medical personnel on the scene in an emergency. They give immediate care, including administering oxygen and assisting in childbirth, and then transport patients to medical facilities. While manning an ambulance may be exhilirating, it is also stressful. EMTs work long, irregular hours and encounter dangerous situations. They work for fire and police departments, in hospitals or even walk-in clinics.

SALARY: Average, $26,333 for those with basic certification. The average for paramedics is $31,137.

EDUCATION: Minimum 110-hour training course, plus licensure. Each step up the ladder requires additional training. Licensure entails a written exam. Continuing education is essential for recertification.

Health services administrators set priorities and policies and determine goals and budgets for a health institution. Many department heads in clinics or hospitals begin as caregivers and move up to managerial positions. Those in the top managerial jobs, though, usually are trained in business practices.

SALARY: Varies according to type and size of facility. Nursing home administrators average $47,400; assistant administrators, $32,000. Department heads average in the mid- to upper $50,000s. Hospital CEOs' salaries run into six figures.

EDUCATION: Nursing home administrators must be licensed. A bachelor's is required in most states for licensing; licensure requires a written exam. Degrees in health care and business are helpful. A master's degree is almost mandatory for advancement.

Home health aides care for people who need assistance to continue living in their own homes. These may be elderly or handicapped people or those recovering from an illness or injury. Home health aides are supervised by registered nurses and help people bathe and dress; they may assist in walking and other exercise activities. Homemakers and personal care aides help around the house, cooking, cleaning and doing laundry.

SALARY: In Massachusetts, the average hourly wage for home health aides without benefits is $9.29; for those with benefits it is $9.02. The national hourly average is $7.61.

EDUCATION: To receive Medicare reimbursement, home health aides must have 75 hours of training and pass a competency test. Training may be offered in three steps: for homemaker; personal care aide and home health aide. Training is offered in vocational schools, community colleges and independently through agencies such as the Red Cross. Certification is optional.

Working under the direction of physicians and registered nurses, LPNs care for patients who are sick or injured. They do such basic tests as taking blood pressure or they may do more complex tasks such as starting intravenous lines. LPNs work in all health care settings, but increasingly in community health. In a changing health field, their jobs are being redefined - some hospitals are phasing out LPNs, but other facilities are giving experienced practical nurses supervisory responsibilities for nursing assistants.

SALARY: Overall median, $23,394.

EDUCATION: One-year certificate programs can qualify graduates to take the required licensing exam.

A nurse cares for the sick and injured in hospitals, clinics and at home. A nurse's philosophy and training mandate care for the whole person, from his broken leg to his self-confidence. Nurses monitor patients' progress, give medicines and aid doctors in planning and implementing treatment. They help keep people well through health education and preventive medicine. They may develop care plans and supervise other nurses, nurses' aides or other personnel as they carry them out.
Registered Nurseq is the basic rung on the nursing ladder. Traditionally, mostworked in hospitals, but the number in other settings, such as home health care is growing.
Advanced Practice Nurses have advanced degrees and clinical experience.
Nurse Practitioners can provide a full range of services to those in good health or with common problems in clinics or their own offices. Starting nationwide, $29,747; staff nurse, $35,212.

EDUCATION: While there remain approved diploma and associate degree programs, more nurses are seeking and most employersprefer job candidates with a baccalaureate degree. An RN must pass a national licensing exam. Advanced practice nurses and nurse practitioners need advanced degrees.

These health assistants work under the supervision of occupational or physical therapists and implement rehabilitation programs. Occupational therapy assistants teach patients daily care skills and, sometimes, work skills. Physical therapy assistants help patients do therapeutic exercises or apply treatments to improve muscle function. Both work in a variety of settings, from homes to nursing homes.

SALARY: National starting average, $27,000 for OTAs. Median for all PTAs, $30,000; this represents a 25 percent increase from 1991 to 1994.

EDUCATION: Must graduate from an approved program, usually at the associate degree level. Must be licensed.

Occupational therapists work with injured or disabled persons to help them recover or develop new skills for working and daily living. They work with patients at their homes, sometimes teaching family members therapy tasks, in hospitals and at treatment centers. Therapists can work with a wide variety of people, from young children to the elderly, and may supervise assistants.

SALARY: $38,000, nationwide starting average.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's or master's degree in an approved program. Must be licensed and sit for a national exam.

Optometrists diagnose and treat vision problems and eye disease.They test for sight difficulties and prescribe glasses, medications and offer postoperative care. Most run their own businesses.

SALARY: Median, first year, $55,000; median for all, $80,000.

EDUCATION: Doctor of Optometry degree required for licensure.

Pharmacists distribute and sometimes compound prescription drugs. They counsel patients on their use, drug interactions and possible side effects. They must keep records of a patient's prescription history. They advise health-care professionals and their patients on the use of medications. In hospitals and home care settings, they monitor drug therapy and evaluate drug use. They may work for pharmaceutical companies.

SALARY: Starting salaries in community pharmacies now are between the mid-$40,000s and the high $50,000s. Overall, the average base pay was $53,600.

EDUCATION: A five-year bachelor of science in pharmacy is the norm now. However, bachelor's program are being phased out in favor of six-year doctoral programs as medicines multiply and pharmacy becomes more complex. Pharmacists must complete an internship and pass national and state exams to be licensed.

Physical therapists help people recover or compensate for mobility lost through injury or illness. They devise exercise regimens to increase movement and bolster muscle function and teach patients to continue them. They alleviate pain and help restore health with heat, cold, ultrasound, water or massage treatments. They evaluate a patient's condition and progress. Therapists work everywhere from the hospital to the home.

SALARY: Median for New England, $50,000. Owners of and partners in private practices command the best salaries.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's or master's required for licensure. Candidates must pass a national exam. Competition for admission to physical therapy programs is keen.

Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They counsel patients on preventive medicine and monitor their health. Physicians in more general practices, such as pediatrics or family practice, provide primary health care. Most specialize in specific fields, such as psychiatry or surgery.

SALARY: $150,000 median for all physicians. Earnings vary by specialty and type of practice.

EDUCATION: Aspiring doctors must earn a bachelor's degree, complete medical school and serve a residency; they must pass a national exam to be licensed.

Physicians' assistants support and are supervised by doctors, but provide a good deal of health care on their own. They take medical histories, examine patients, interpret lab tests and X-rays and make preliminary diagnoses. They prescribe drugs and treat minor injuries. In regions where there are few doctors, PAs provide most of the health care for patients.

SALARY: Just over $57,000, national average.

EDUCATION: Training for physicians assistants is an intensive two-year regimen. This may be part of a baccalaureate program or lead to a master's degree or certificate. Admission to PA programs is fiercely competitive. PAs in Massachusetts must be licensed.

Radiologic technologists use special equipment to diagnose and treat illnesses or injuries. There are three kinds of radiologic technologists: radiographers, who take X-rays, radiation therapists, who use radiation to test and treat patients, and sonographers, who use ultrasound, which are high frequency sound waves. They must work well with doctors and patients, who may be critically ill.

SALARY: In the Boston area, starting salaries are in the mid-$30,000s.

EDUCATION: Must be licensed. Completion of an approved program in radiation therapy, often at the associate degree level, qualifies the graduate to take state licensing exam.

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with cardiopulmonary problems. They may help provide relief to those with chronic illnesses, such as asthma or emergency care for heart failure, stroke or drowning victims. They administer oxygen and other gases and teach patients how to use specialized equipment. Hospitals employ the majority of respiratory therapists. They also work in homes or laboratories.

SALARY: Respiratory therapists average $15.78 per hour; respiratory technicians average $12.84.

EDUCATION: Most formal training programs require at least two years and lead to an associate's degree. A graduate must then take the national certifying exam to become a registered respiratory therapist. Shorter training programs _ usually one-year _ qualify students as respiratory technicians, who also may become certified after taking an exam.

Veterinarians help keep animals healthy and diagnose and treat them when they get sick. They do everything from giving rabies shots to setting broken bones or doing surgery. Vets may specialize in the type of animal they see, from cats and dogs to wild animals. They research animal diseases and, sometimes, how to prevent and treat human diseases. They may specialize in farm animals or family pets.

SALARY: Average starting salary nationwide in private practice, $31,925; in corporate or public jobs, $33,156. Average salary in private practice, $59,188; average in corporate or public jobs, $68,925. Average starting salaries in traditional practices are between $35,000 and $40,000, says Rebecca Russo, director of admissions at Tufts.

EDUCATION: A doctorate in veterinary medicine; vets must pass state and national exams. They may continue their educations with an internship or residency. Vets must be licensed.

Veterinary technicians work with animals and their owners. Under the supervision of a veterinarian, techs might get patients ready for surgery, dress wounds or assist in treatment. Technicians work in veterinary offices and hospitals, in zoos and wildlife centers.

SALARY: Starting salaries range from about $14,000 to $25,000.

EDUCATION: Training in animal technology at community or junior college level or through a baccalaureate program.

DEMAND: Job opportunities are excellent.