The growing need for gerontology professionals has created unprecedented career opportunities, driven by an expanding aging population and a scarcity of qualified specialists. If current trends persist — with fewer medical students choosing geriatric medicine and our aging population increasing — this demand will only intensify.
Here we’ll present the facts and figures that demonstrate why it’s such an opportune time to pursue a career in gerontology or a related field.
High Demand (That Will Get Much Higher)
As of 2024, there are only 7,300 board-certified geriatricians in the U.S.: less than 1% of all physicians nationwide. Yet the U.S. has a population of about 62 million people aged 65 or older. During the next three decades, that number is expected to surge to 84 million.
This significant gap between the number of available, qualified gerontologists (a professional who studies aging), geriatricians (a professional who provides medical care for older people) and other aging professionals and an increasing aging population creates exceptional opportunities for those entering the field of gerontology, which offers both job security and the chance to make a meaningful impact.
Just in the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects high growth for numerous jobs within the gerontology space. Here are just a few:
- Health Services Manager: 29% growth through 2033 (much faster than average)
- Physician Assistant: 28% growth through 2033 (much faster than average)
- Medical Scientist: 11% growth through 2033 (much faster than average)
- Social and Community Service Manager: 8% growth through 2033 (faster than average)
- Health Educator: 7% growth through 2033 (faster than average)
- Social Worker: 7% growth through 2033 (faster than average)
Significant Earning Potential
Gerontology encompasses a broad range of careers both within and outside of healthcare. Consider some of the potential roles you could claim with the right credentials and other qualifications:
- Physician or Surgeon: Median annual pay: $239,200
- Physician Assistant: Median annual pay: $130,020
- Health Services Manager: Median annual pay: $110,680
- Medical Scientist: Median annual pay: $100,890
- Health Educator: Median annual pay: $62,860
- Social Worker: Median annual pay: $58,380
- Policy Analyst: Average annual base salary: $82,258
- Social and Community Service Manager: Median annual pay: $77,030
- Research Analyst: Average annual base salary: $71,329
- Recreational Therapist: Median annual pay: $57,120
Innovation in Elder Care
Many state-of-the-art tools in modern healthcare are exceptionally beneficial to older adults. You could work on the forefront of this life-changing technology as a gerontology professional.
Cybernetic tools like robots can provide companionship, complete basic chores and assist with memory issues. Artificial exoskeletons and adaptive prosthetics can aid mobility and independence. In these ways and countless others, gerontechnology is enabling older adults to enjoy more fulfilling lives. Telemedicine is also helping seniors who, due to infirmity or lack of transportation, need a home-based health option.
Expand Your Gerontology Career Potential With UF’s Online Programs
Take advantage of unprecedented gerontology career potential. Equipped with in-demand skills and credentials, you could have your pick of jobs.
The University of Florida’s LCME-accredited College of Medicine offers online graduate programs in aging that empower you to help older adults live longer, healthier, richer lives while giving you more career options. These online programs enable you to learn from noted researchers and academics and graduate in as little as one year:
Online Master’s Degree in Innovative Aging Studies (30 credits)
Explore aging through clinical, biological, psychological, legal, ethical and sociological lenses to develop the skills necessary to advocate for older adults.
Online Master’s Degree in Medical Physiology and Aging (30 credits)
If you’re unsure about your career direction, broaden your possibilities with a distinctive master’s program that merges essential focus areas from our innovative aging studies degree and our medical physiology graduate certificate.
Online Graduate Certificate in Aging and Geriatric Practice (15 credits)
Strengthen your skills and enhance your medical school application with our online graduate certificate program. Enroll in a UF aging master’s degree program later and you may be able to apply up to 15 credits from this certificate program toward your degree and graduate sooner!
UF Online Graduate Program Advantages
- Affordable tuition.
- No GRE scores or clinical experience required for admission.
- No thesis required.
- Asynchronous online format that allows you to attend class from anywhere and set your own schedule.
What Others Are Saying About UF
- “America’s Top Online Colleges” (Newsweek)
- “Best Colleges in America” (Money)
- “Top Public Schools” (U.S. News & World Report)
- “Best National Universities” (U.S. News & World Report)
- “Best Value Schools” (U.S. News & World Report)
- “Most Innovative Schools” (U.S. News & World Report)
UF is now accepting applications for the coming semester of our online aging programs!
Sources:
https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.19027