Naturopathic Doctor

Duties and Responsibilities: If you fall ill and go to see a naturalistic physician, you'll find that the examination isn't much different than you would have with a traditional physician, except that the naturopath may spend more time talking to you about your medical history and state of overall well-being. Naturopathic doctors receive extensive education -- similar to medical doctors -- and can write prescriptions for conventional drugs, but tend to focus on natural healing methods

Salary  $68,000

Education: There are only five naturopathic medical colleges located in the U.S. that are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved agency. You typically need a bachelor of science degree to apply to a naturopathic medical college, with strong coursework in the sciences, such as biology and chemistry. Classes in anatomy, botany, psychology and mathematics also look good to admissions committees. Aspiring naturopathic physicians spend four years in medical school, with the last two years focusing on clinical work. A residency after college isn't required, but many health care providers offer them. Some states require an examination and licensure to practice, while others have restrictions on the scope of practice.

Demand:
The median wage for naturopathic physicians in 2001 was $70,690, according to O-Net OnLine, which also predicts an average growth rate in employment between 10 and 19 percent through 2020. The website ExploreHealthCareers.org notes that the average salary for naturopathic doctors is $80,000. There were 56,000 naturopathic physicians employed in 2010 and an estimated 21,200 jobs will open up through 2020.