Becoming an Herbalist: Job Description & Salary Info

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What are the pros and cons of an herbalist's career? Get real job descriptions, career prospects and salary info to see if becoming an herbalist is right for you.
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Pros and Cons of a Career as an Herbalist

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Herbalists are practitioners of alternative medicine who use plant-based remedies to treat illnesses and improve people's health. If you are intrigued by the idea of using plants instead of pharmaceuticals to help people feel better, the following pros and cons can help you decide if you want to pursue a career as an herbalist.

Pros of Becoming an Herbalist
Opportunity to improve your own and other people's health**
Variety of educational options to choose from (postsecondary program, apprenticeship, self-study)*
Opportunity to be self-employed**
Opportunity to specialize (traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, etc.)*
Can work in a variety of settings (clinical, production and educational)*

Cons of Becoming an Herbalist
Most states do not legally recognize the practice of herbal medicine*
Licensed healthcare professionals can be at risk if they perform or support the work of an herbal medicine practitioner*
Physical demands of wildcrafting and gardening*
Might need to supplement herbalist earnings with other income*
May need to work weekends or evenings to accommodate clients' schedules**

Sources: *American Herbalists Guild, **College Foundation of North Carolina

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Popular Schools

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    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership: Behavioral Health - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership: Behavioral Health - Quantitative Research
    Master's
      • MBA: Health Systems Management
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Trauma
      • B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Childhood and Adolescence Disorders
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    2. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Health Sciences
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor: Health and Wellness
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    3. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MA: Medical Sciences: Molecular Medicine
      • MS: Healthcare Administration: Project Management
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    4. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PhD - Social Policy and Behavioral Health Administration
    Master's
      • MEd - Corporate Wellness
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    5. Keiser University

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • Associate of Sciences - Medical Assistant
  • Tempe, AZ

    Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

  • Western Governors University

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    8. Carrington College

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • Massage Therapy

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership: Behavioral Health - Qualitative Research
  • MBA: Health Systems Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Trauma

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Purdue Global

  • Doctor of Health Sciences
  • Bachelor: Health and Wellness

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Liberty University

  • MA: Medical Sciences: Molecular Medicine
  • MS: Healthcare Administration: Project Management

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National University

  • PhD - Social Policy and Behavioral Health Administration
  • MEd - Corporate Wellness

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Keiser University

  • Associate of Sciences - Medical Assistant

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Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

Carrington College

  • Massage Therapy

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