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ArmyMOS 68WEnlisted
68W: Combat Medic Specialist to $100K+
Where an Army Combat Medic Specialist fits in the civilian job market, what it pays, and how to get there.
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What the job is, in plain English
Provides emergency and routine medical care in the field and in clinics: trauma care, evacuation, sick call and preventive medicine.
Skills that transfer
- Emergency and trauma care
- Triage under pressure
- Patient documentation
- Training others in first aid
- Medical logistics
Matching civilian roles and pay
5 of 5 matched roles reach $100K+ for top earners nationally; the highest median here is Medical and Health Services Managers at $123,860. Matches come from O*NET's crosswalk for 68W (Combat Medic Specialist).
| Civilian role | Median pay | 90th percentile | $100K+ potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $123,860 | $224,340 | Median already clears $100K |
| Acute Care Nurses BLS pay group: Registered Nurses (29-1141) | $97,550 | $137,470 | Yes: top 10% earn $137,470+ |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $68,020 | $117,420 | Yes: top 10% earn $117,420+ |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,530 | $140,010 | Yes: top 10% earn $140,010+ |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,790 | $160,540 | Yes: top 10% earn $160,540+ |
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national estimates, national annual wages (BLS OEWS). Your pay will vary with location, experience, clearance, education and employer. Some O*NET roles share a broader BLS pay group, which is noted under the role name.
Certifications worth a look
- National Registry EMT (NREMT)
- Paramedic (NRP)
- Certified Healthcare Leader / healthcare management credentials
- RN license (requires nursing school)
Commonly pursued by people in this field; not an official list. Check what your branch will fund, and see the full list for your code, on DoD COOL (Army COOL: 68W).
The clearance angle
Most 68W roles do not hinge on a clearance. The $100K+ path is usually through further education: nursing (RN/BSN), physician assistant programs, or healthcare management. See what a security clearance is worth in 2026.
Next steps
Related job codes
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