The healthcare administration field offers many benefits, including financial incentives. Discover which healthcare administration jobs offer the highest pay and how to pursue them.
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Credit: andresr / E+ / Getty ImagesHealthcare administrators serve critical functions in the fast-growing health services industry. Healthcare administration can offer diverse opportunities, a chance to make a difference, and financial rewards.
However, in such a broad field, sorting through your possible career paths can be a daunting task. Discover the highest-paying healthcare administration careers to help you pick the right route.
Popular Online Healthcare Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Healthcare Administration Jobs Overview
Healthcare administration comprises many of the business-focused careers within a healthcare organization. In fact, it typically covers most non-clinical roles, including management, policy and regulation, and human resources.
The growing demand for health services has led to appealing job forecasts for healthcare administrators. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28% increase in medical and health services manager jobs from 2022 to 2032, significantly faster than the average 3% growth for all U.S. jobs.
The Highest-Paying Undergraduate Healthcare Administration Jobs
With an undergraduate degree in health administration, you can access many careers with competitive salaries and growth opportunities. The table below highlights the highest-paying jobs that require at least an undergraduate degree, according to the BLS.
| Rank | Career | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Administrative Services Manager | $106,470 |
| 2 | Business Operations Specialists | $79,590 |
| 3 | Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $62,990 |
| 4 | Medical Records Specialist | $47,180 |
1 | Administrative Services Manager
Administrative services managers oversee administrative processes, office staff and duties, and records in healthcare organizations. They manage operations like billing, compliance, and client services, while also planning support services and maintaining communication lines between departments. These managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and experience.
2 | Business Operations Specialists
Business operations specialists analyze and support healthcare programs and activities looking for improvements. They specialize in planning and implementing new programs and projects and assessing and identifying problems in existing operations. Business operations specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, plus some experience.
3 | Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
Depending on the role, health information technologists and medical registrars may specialize in medical data or help healthcare organizations optimize their databases and computerized systems. They compile and assess healthcare data or manage and secure the systems themselves. These professionals typically need an associate degree at minimum, though a bachelor’s may be required.
4 | Medical Records Specialist
Medical records specialists work with patient files, compiling data and ensuring the information is up-to-date and accurate. They must follow all ethical and privacy regulations when working with coding systems and sensitive electronic health records. Medical records specialists need a postsecondary certificate at minimum, but many positions require an undergraduate degree.
The Highest-Paying Graduate Healthcare Administration Jobs
With a graduate degree in healthcare administration, you can pursue some of the most desirable leadership positions in the industry. Each of the careers below has major responsibilities and pay some of the industry’s top salaries.
| Rank | Career | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Executive | $206,680 |
| 2 | Medical and Health Services Manager | $110,680 |
| 3 | General and Operations Manager | $101,280 |
| 4 | Management Analyst | $99,410 |
| 5 | Social and Community Service Manager | $77,030 |
1 | Chief Executive
Chief executives develop policies and direction for large entities in the private and public sectors, including hospitals and other healthcare organizations. They plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. Chief executives need a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, but many employers require master’s degrees and considerable experience.
2 | Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers hold various managerial positions within the healthcare system, many of which are healthcare administrators. These managers may oversee care delivery and processes, staffing, finances, policies, and more. Although medical and health services managers need only a bachelor’s degree in some cases, a master’s degree is frequently required, particularly for higher-level positions.
3 | General and Operations Manager
General and operations managers may oversee a department’s or organization’s policies, finances, operations, and human resources. They evaluate and reshape performance quality and activities, manage staff and responsibilities, and take care of the budgets. General and operations managers typically need a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, but additional education and experience may be required.
4 | Management Analyst
Management analysts consult organizations on improving practices, operations, and efficiencies. They analyze finances and performances before recommending system and process changes and upgrades. A master’s degree may be required for this position.
5 | Social and Community Service Manager
Social and community service managers create and supervise public programs and services. They assess needs, advocate for relevant issues, and demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs. These professionals typically need a bachelor’s degree at minimum, but a master’s degree may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Administration Jobs
Wages for healthcare administrators vary based on several factors, but on average, chief executives and medical and health services managers enjoy some of the industry’s highest salaries. According to the BLS, average annual wages in these occupations were $206,680 and $110,680, respectively.
