Air Force Medical Jobs: 18 Positions (Plus Pay and responsibilities)

For the benefit of its soldiers and their families, the US Air Force employs a large number of medical professionals. Regarding both professional responsibilities and educational qualifications, employment in these air force medical jobs is comparable to employment in civilian positions. When thinking about your career goals, it can be beneficial to learn more about these air force medical jobs.

In this post, we cover the advantages of working in the medical field for the military’s flight operations branch and examine 18 air force medical jobs you might want to look into for your future career.

Advantages of Air Force medical careers

The advantages of air force medical jobs include:

The provision of funding for education

The Air Force provides a variety of Air Force Health Profession Scholarships for several healthcare disciplines in addition to a financial help program. Candidates must normally hold a bachelor’s degree to qualify. Financial aid is available for both the residency and med college phases.

Better community

Medical personnel from the Air Force work in a variety of settings both domestically and internationally. People that live on military bases are typically near one another because they are typically self-contained communities. You can develop a sense of community that will help you get to know your patients and other healthcare experts.

Several chances for career advancement

Air Force medical personnel frequently have the opportunity to engage in their particular areas of expertise. Assignments are often determined by experience and service requirements. Opportunities exist in a variety of contexts, from a clinic to a more extensive humanitarian aid operation.

18 air force medical jobs

Check out these 18 air force medical jobs.

1. Dental assistant

National average yearly salary: $41,222

Primary responsibilities: Dental assistants with air force medical jobs aid dentists in caring for the teeth, gums, and other portions of the jawbone and face of Air Force personnel. They support both basic exams and trickier treatments like oral surgery. The duties of a dental assistant can include cleaning dental equipment, taking X-rays, keeping patient information, and helping with surgery, based on the requirements of the client and the dentist.

2. Registered nurse in the operating room

National average yearly salary: $49,874

Primary responsibilities: Air Force personnel who require surgery are given medical treatment by operating theatre nurses with air force medical jobs. Patients are frequently cared for by operating theatre nurses before, during, or following an operation. An operating theatre nurse may assist with activities like documenting a patient’s vital signs, sterilizing surgical tools, delivering surgical tools to doctors as needed, and making sure everyone on staff follows patient safety policies, depending on where a surgical patient is in the process.

3. Histology tech

National average yearly salary: $53,245

Primary responsibilities: Tissue samples are made for microscopes by histology technicians, also referred to as histology specialists. They can evaluate and develop treatment strategies for Air Force troops who need medical attention by examining human tissue beneath microscopes. Histology workers with air force medical jobs not only prepare tissues for microscopic examination but also aid pathologists with autopsies and clean lab equipment.

3. Histotechnician

National average yearly salary: $53,245

Primary responsibilities: Tissue samples are made for microscopes by histology technicians, also referred to as histology specialists. They can evaluate and develop treatment strategies for Air Force troops who need medical attention by analyzing human tissue beneath microscopes. Histology workers with air force medical jobs not only prepare tissues for microscopic examination but also help pathologists with autopsies and clean lab equipment.

4. Dietitian

National average yearly salary: $70,022

Primary responsibilities: Dietitians with air force medical jobs offer dietary and nutritional guidance to Air Force members. The objective of a dietician is to assist Air Force personnel in improving or maintaining their health via dietary changes. Creating meal planning, evaluating each patient’s nutrition, and advising patients on healthy eating practices are all possible daily duties.

5. Pharmacist

National average yearly salary: $84,067

Primary responsibilities: Pharmacists with air force medical jobs administer prescribed drugs to Air Force troops. Dispensing entails accurately producing, compounding, packing, and labeling medicines by the directives of the prescribing physician. Additionally, pharmacists educate patients on correct pharmaceutical usage, potential side effects, and the need to keep accurate records of restricted substances.

6. Technician for biomedical equipment

National average yearly salary: $84,818

Primary responsibilities: Installing, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing medical devices for the Air Force is the responsibility of a biomedical equipment technician. Biomedical specialists with air force medical jobs operate with a variety of equipment, from straightforward information technology tools to more complex gadgets like magnetic resonance imaging. A biomedical equipment technician also keeps track of all examinations, repairs, and replacements made to medical devices.

7. Physiotherapist

National average yearly salary: $85,937

Primary responsibilities: Physical therapists with air force medical jobs assist Air Force personnel with injury recovery, pain relief, and muscular coordination enhancement. Physical therapists’ daily duties may involve identifying patients’ muscle-movement issues, demonstrating self-help recovery activities for patients, developing specialized treatment programs, and massaging patients’ wounded areas.

8. A medical assistant

National average yearly salary: $88,890

Primary responsibilities: Physician assistants with air force medical jobs provide medical diagnosis, treatment, and health maintenance services to Air Force personnel. They assist patients in maintaining general wellness while treating common ailments. Physician assistants conduct medical treatments and procedures on patients under the supervision of a supervising physician. Prescription writing, physical examinations, and reading lab reports could all be part of a doctor’s daily duties.

9. Optical surgeon

National average yearly salary: $96,761

Primary responsibilities: Optometrists with air force medical jobs carry out routine eye exams, recommend eyeglasses and other visual elements, diagnose vision-related issues or diseases, conduct minor eye surgery, and provide guidance on general visual health. To protect everyone’s welfare and protection, they assess and keep track of any reductions in vision among service members who fly.

10. Licensed psychologist

National average yearly salary: $104,608

Primary responsibilities: Clinical psychologists with air force medical jobs identify and treat emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues in Air Force personnel and their families. To enhance a patient’s general well-being, a clinical psychologist works to assist them in better comprehending and controlling their symptoms. Clinical psychologists assist patients in developing practical strategies to alter their routines or behaviors, track their development through routine sessions, and employ a variety of therapy modalities to enhance or protect their psychological health.

11. Surgeon

National average yearly salary: $122,092

Primary responsibilities: Surgeons with air force medical jobs operate on Air Force personnel and their relatives. Surgeons, like their civilian colleagues, might work in general practice or specialize in fields such as heart or orthopedic surgery. Surgeons may perform procedures to treat diseases, rectify deformities, assist in medical diagnosis, aid patients in recovering from traumas, or enhance physical capabilities.

12. A doctor of family medicine

National average yearly salary: $165,301

Primary responsibilities: Doctors of family medicine with air force medical jobs offer medical care to Air Force personnel and their families. They provide all-encompassing medical care, which addresses behavioral issues as well as illness prevention and wellness maintenance. Daily duties for a family medicine doctor range from administering immunizations to conducting standard physical exams.

13. Psychiatrist

National average yearly salary: $173,458

Primary responsibilities: Personnel of the Air Force receive treatment from psychiatrists to preserve and enhance their psychological health. Air Force psychiatrists with air force medical jobs provide diagnosis, treatment, and support to patients to improve their general mental well-being. A psychiatrist’s typical duties can include writing prescriptions for medication, analyzing the findings of psychological tests, developing treatment programs, and keeping thorough records of their patient’s mental health to assess their fitness for duty.

14. Aircraft Medical Service Technician

National average yearly salary: £30,176​

Medical service technicians are the Air Force’s version of hospital corpsmen or Army medics.

Air Force medics with air force medical jobs still have many similar options to learn, specialize, and branch out even though the Navy corpsman rating includes numerous specialties that the Air Force recognizes as independent professional areas (such as dentistry or biomedical equipment).

They may be trained to perform more difficult air force medical jobs like solo duty, hemodialysis, or licensed practical nurse after beginning with general patient care and administrative responsibilities.

15. Technician for Biomedical Equipment

National average yearly salary: £33176

The biomedical equipment specialist (BMET) has a rightful place in this list even if it is primarily an electronic engineer than a healthcare specialist. They play a critical part in ensuring that the medical equipment is up-to-date and correct.

Air Force BMETs with air force medical jobs are expected to fix a broad range of tools after their 41 weeks of training, from simple information technology gadgets to intricate operating and diagnostic imaging instruments. Circuit board-level diagnostics and repairs are covered in training.

​16. Technician for Cardiopulmonary Laboratories

National average yearly salary: £17,500 to £19,000

Cardiopulmonary (CP) lab technicians with air force medical jobs attend classes at the Medical Training and Education Campus for about a year after their first enlistment.

CP technicians provide support for a wide range of procedures and treatments, including electrocardiography, angiography, stent implantation, and respiratory treatments like intubation and artificial ventilation.

17. Technician for diagnostic imaging

National average yearly salary: £32,934

The numerous high-tech devices that let a doctor look into a patient being operated on and maintained by this position, just like its civilian equivalent.

They typically start as X-ray technicians, but with education and practice, they can also find employment in nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging.

18. Surgery Service Expert

National average yearly salary: £45,124 to £77,519

The surgical team with air force medical jobs refers to these professionals as “scrub technicians.” That does not mean that the task at hand is easy.

Scrub technicians are essential to maintaining a clean environment during surgery, maintaining equipment, anticipating equipment requirements, and maintaining a meticulous tally of every device that is used on (and in) the patient. They also keep the surgeon pleased.

Additionally, scrub technicians may choose to specialize in fields including orthopedic surgery and urology.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Science (USU)

U.S. Medical School (Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health graduate & postgraduate courses)

The government health professionals’ school for the country is the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), which is comparable to the undergraduate courses at the U.S. military schools in West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs. Students at USU can concentrate on their studies without worrying about debt, much as those at the academies. Medical students begin their studies as commissioned officers within one of four uniformed services: the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Public Health Service (PHS). Admission to USU does not necessitate any previous service. Students have to pay no tuition or charges and get the entire salary and allowances of a commissioned officer during their four years of college in return for a seven-year active-duty military commitment.

(PHS graduates are required to serve on active duty for ten years.) These advantages include a housing allowance, 30 days of paid leave each year, and free health care for students and qualifying relatives. Students are also given free access to books and lab supplies.

All prospective students participate in a four- to a six-week officer orientation session before matriculation where they study the duties of a uniformed officer in addition to the conventions and customs of life in their different services. The transfer to the uniformed services is made possible for students that have never served as commissioned officers during this orientation. After that, students head to USU to start their formal medical studies.

Students who complete their studies are elevated to the rank of O-3 (Lieutenant for the Navy/Public Health Service and Captain for the Army/Air Force).

USU is situated in Bethesda, Maryland, about two miles from Washington, DC. The National Institutes of Health are right across the street from USU, which is situated next to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (NIH). These three top-notch schools are situated close to one another, creating an academic health center with outstanding depth, breadth, and influence that is unmatched globally.

Opportunities for U.S. Army medical education

The United States Army provides funding options for studies in clinical or counseling psychology, optometry, veterinary medicine, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and other fields. You might be qualified for a scholarship, a monthly allowance program, or a student loan reduction depending on your particular circumstances. You’ll also train with committed healthcare experts and get a special experience. Additionally, you’ll be able to take compensated continuing education classes and pursue advanced degrees.

• Health Professions Scholarship Fund: The American Army Medical Department will cover all of your graduate-level tuition costs for any accredited program in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, psychology, or optometry in the U. S. or Puerto Rico.
• Undergraduate Health Care Education: Reserve Nurse Corps Program and Bachelor of Nursing Course (while you are presently enrolled in a Nursing Bachelor of Science course that is accredited).
• Graduate Healthcare Education: Dentistry Courses, Medical Courses, and Allied Health Care courses (Counseling or clinical psychology, veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition)
• Post-Graduate Healthcare Education: Dentistry Courses, Medical Courses, and Allied Health Care courses (Audiology Externship or Podiatric Surgical Residency). 

Programs for Medical Education in the Navy:

Nursing, medical, and dental education programs in the Navy. Clinical care practitioners, health care administrators, and health care scientists. If any of these career fields appeal to you, the Navy has several programs that can assist in paying for your graduate-level professional studies throughout residency (if applicable). After that, you’ll start a rewarding career as an officer and specialist working in the Navy Health Care sector.

• Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP): The Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides a $2,200 monthly allowance to assist with living costs for a maximum of four years while paying for med college, dentistry school, or other eligible postgraduate studies at 100% of the cost. Students for medical school and dentistry school can also get a sign-on incentive of up to $20,000 addition to that.
• Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP): The Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) offers between $157,000 and $269,000 in financial aid while attending dental school, medical school, or other qualifying postgraduate programs. That includes a $3,280–$5,610 housing allowance each month for the first 48 months of your course; in addition to a wage (Location-specific factors may affect the housing allowance). Be aware that it is also feasible to obtain military pay and benefits that are comparable to several entry-level managerial air force medical jobs while still pursuing a degree for up to 2 years for some master’s degrees and up to 36 months for some Ph.D. courses.
• Navy Financial Assistance Program (FAP):  Over $275,000 may be provided by the Navy Financial Assistanthroughoutver the course of a standard four-year dental or medical residency. That comprises a $2,200 monthly stipend to cover living expenses for up to four years, in addition to a $45,000 yearly grant on top of any residency program-based pay.
• Offers for Practicing Medical Professionals (Active Service): If you’re a practicing doctor, dentist, nurse, or other members of the medical profession and you’re interested in serving on Active Duty, you may be eligible for incentives like sign-on bonus payments and repayment schedule help from the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP).
• Offers for Practicing Medical Professionals (Reserve): If you’re a practicing doctor, dentist, nurse, or another member of the medical profession and you’re interested in serving in the Reserve, you may be eligible for rewards like specialty remuneration, sign-on bonus payments, and loan repayment guidance through the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP).

Educational Programs for the U.S. Air Force

The Air Force offers programs to complete your education or certification, help with student loan debt, and develop your abilities when you enlist as a healthcare worker. Whether you’re still in school or require continuing education, we ensure you have access to the materials and tools required to achieve your objectives healthcare career in healthcare.

• Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP): Airmen on active duty who are enlisted may register for the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP). Through this program, Airmen can pursue a bachelor’s degree in a range of technical, nontechnical, nursing, pre-health, and foreign language subjects while also earning a commission. Those chosen temporarily leave the Air Force’s active duty to enroll in ROTC and enroll full-time at a cooperating college. Participants earn up to $15,000 in annual tuition and fee grants, as well as a $600 textbook stipend.
• The Health Professions Scholarship Program: The Health Professions Scholarship program offers financial aid to healthcare workers so they can continue their education. These financial aid packages include monthly living costs in addition to all tuition and mandatory fees, textbooks, ancillary equipment, and supplies. Recipients serve 45 days of active service in the Air Force while being on scholarship. Following graduation, scholarship winners serve at least three years of active service, one year for every year of their scholarship. Scholarships are used to pay for a variety of studies, including one- and two-year courses for Biomedical Science Corps specializations (such as pharmacy, optometry, clinical psychology, and health care officers), two- and three-year courses for Nurse Corps specializations, and three- and four-year courses for Dental Corps and Medical Corps.
• The Allied Health Internship Program: Numerous internship opportunities are available at Air Force medical institutions through the Allied Health Internship Program. Students in the program get the opportunity to serve as interns in a variety of professional fields, including clinical psychology, audiology, dietetics, and more. For details on requirements and benefits, speak with your recruiter for the healthcare professions.
• The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) gives active service Airmen the chance to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a profession that is in short supply in the Air Force. While enrolled full-time in a school or institution that takes part in ROTC, student participants continue to serve on active service and are compensated for their service. Participants earn up to $15,000 in annual tuition and fee grants, as well as a $600 textbook allowance. Those chosen may enroll for a maximum of three years, based on their degree course and past academics. After completing the National Council Licensure Examination, students will commission, after which they will enroll in the Nurse Transition Program and Commissioned Officer Training.
• The Physician Assistant Training Program: In the Air Force, working as a physician assistant is held in high regard and high demand. Airmen who are on active duty may apply to the program for physician assistant training. The program will give the additional training required for the qualifying applicants to offer military members and their loved ones with expert medical care.
• Healthcare Continuing Education (HCE): The accomplishment of the Air Force mission depends on Healthcare Continuing Education (HCE). We provide healthcare career advancement opportunities, coaching, and financial and schedule support for international humanitarian efforts. Opportunities for specialized training and education are provided for doctors, nurses, and dentists.
• Residency Financial Assistance Program: The program allows dental and medical practitioners to finish their residency without worrying about money. Those chosen will be awarded a stipend of more than $2,000 monthly to help with living expenses along with more than $45,000 for each year they take part in the program. Participants serve in the Air Force for a total of three years after their residency program is through, plus an additional year. For details on requirements and benefits, speak with your recruiter for the health professions.

Conclusion

Your duties as a medical professional in the Air Force will remain the same, but your experiences will be completely different.

Frequently Asked Questions on air force medical jobs

• What is the name of the Air Force medical personnel?

Aerospace Medical Service Technician, or med tech for short, is the name given to the basic medical personnel in the Air Force, which is comparable to a Combat Medical Expert in the Army or a Naval Corpsman in the Navy.

• Is there a medical section in the Air Force?

The Air Force Medical Centre serves the U.S. Air Force and Space Force by providing 2.6 million patients with medical treatment as well as full spectrum medical preparedness to the over 200,000 Airmen and Guardians now serving in operations throughout the world.

• A doctor in the Air Force holds what rank?

Your rank will normally start at major or captain (Army/Air Force) or lieutenant or lieutenant commander (Navy) if you enroll as a certified physician, though it may be higher based on your position in your civilian job.