Entry-level healthcare administrator jobs earn an average salary of $56,000 per year; gaining skills such as effective budget and operations management can put you on the higher end of the pay scale2.
Hospitals receive the bulk of health care spending and are more successful when they do more business. Administrators that can keep hospitals financially successful are worth their salaries to the companies that pay them, so they make a lot of money.
On the flip side, hospital administrators face unrelenting stress. Irregular hours, phone calls at home, keeping up with government regulations, and managing sticky personnel matters make the job stressful. Weighing the pros and cons of hospital administration jobs can lead to a well-informed career decision.
First, a word of caution: Readers will likely know this going in, but healthcare administration is not the practice of medicine. Rather, it's the management and logistical support of medical professionals. They wear the lab coat and the scrubs, while HCAs wear the suits.
Written, Verbal and Nonverbal Communication SkillsHospital administrators must be discreet and empathetic in dealing with patients; they must be diplomatic in dealing with colleagues and mediating conflicts that arise; and they must be skilled in negotiating a broad variety of agreements contracts.
The Top-Paying States for Healthcare Administrator Jobs*
- Florida.
- Massachusetts.
- New Jersey.
- New York.
- Rhode Island.
- Washington.
- Oregon.
- Vermont.
Highest-Paying Healthcare Administration Jobs
- Tulane University. School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Online Master in Health Administration (MHA)
- University of Michigan. School of Nursing.
- University of Pittsburgh. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Hospitals, medical laboratories, and physicians' offices serve as common work settings for healthcare administrators. Healthcare administrators can also find career opportunities with insurance companies, government agencies, pharmaceutical corporations, and outpatient care facilities.
As of May 2019, data from the BLS shows the average salary for healthcare managers was $115,160 per year ($55.37 per hour) across the United States. * This projection is not a typical starting salary for recent graduates of a healthcare management program but is reflective of the national average.
Health Care Support Is the Fastest Growing SectorAnyone with a Master's Degree in Health Care Management can expect to rapidly rise within their career and according to the BLS this one sector is expected to grow by more than 17% in the coming decade, a rate that is much higher and faster than the national average.
Job Titles in Healthcare AdministrationNursing home administrator. Hospital CEO. Clinical manager. Lab facility manager.
The average Master's in Healthcare Administration salary in California is $133,040 annually or $63.96 on an hourly basis.
A degree can instantly help employers see you have training and experience relevant to this career. A bachelor's degree or even an MBA or other post-graduate degree helps in administration and management careers. If you want a competitive salary and a rewarding career, healthcare management is a great option.
10 Ways to Move Up the Corporate Hospital Ladder
- Assess and Define. First take the time to reevaluate your career.
- Reach your Goal.
- Be an Effective Communicator.
- Let Management Know of Your Desire to Advance.
- Be Responsible.
- Keep Your Knowledge Current.
- Become a Leader and Take Initiative.
- Networking is Essential.
According to payscale.com, a bachelor's degree in this field will earn an entry level student about $45,000 a year. While that may still seem mediocre to some, depending on the position and title, the salary of an employee with this degree could range anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000 per year.
Healthcare management focuses on overseeing the direction of a healthcare facility or system, organization-wide initiatives, and “big picture†needs, while healthcare administration focuses on individual departments and budgets, day-to-day operations, and staffing.
Here are a few of the most common:
- Hospital CEO.
- Hospital department manager.
- Hospital CFO (chief financial officer)
- Nursing home administrator.
- Clinic administrator.
- Medical office business manager.
- Dental office administrator.
- Chiropractor office manager.
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) is a 24-month professional program for clinicians, managers and researchers who are seeking solutions to today's complex health delivery issues.
Earning a master's in healthcare administration is definitely worth it. Earning a graduate degree in health administration is associated with increased opportunity and a boost in earning potential.
