Why We Love It
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$106,070Potential Avg. Salary
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16.9%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Dependable Daily WorkloadCareer Attribute
Healthcare administration is a fast-paced and exciting career. An effective administrator can be the key to keeping a medical institution on a steadfast and growing path. They are responsible for the daily activities and operations of the medical institutions. These daily tasks can vary in a range of duties from finances, insurance and billing and patient-doctor relations.
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What is a Healthcare Administrator?
The following responsibilities are common for individuals in the Medical Administration field:
- Oversees the daily operations of the front and back medical office
- Being a liaison between the patients and doctor and other facilities
- Insurance billing and medical records maintenance
- Finances, pay role, accounts receivable & accounts payable and budgets
- Ensuring patient procedural quality
A Day In The Life
Healthcare administrators manage, direct and coordinate medical services in medical institutions. They have a wide variety of duties. From ensuring patients are provided with the best possible care to providing cost effectiveness within the facility. They are also required to stay up-to-date on all current and changing federal healthcare laws.
They are responsible for the day-today operations of the hospital, clinic or other medical facility that they are managing. They must hold a wide variety of skill sets and coordinate the functions of all departments and ensure they all function as one unit.
Typical Work Schedule
Most healthcare administrators have to work full-time for 8 hours per day 5 days per week. Since their work is to manage a medical facility, a department of a medical facility or a group of physicians, they are expected to be available on call at any time to resolve emergency situations. Accordingly, they may have to work during evenings or weekends especially in healthcare institutions that have to be open at all hours, such as hospitals and nursing homes. Overall, the job is stressful and critical, so you have to consider this if you want to advance in your career but it is also financially and personally rewarding.
Projected Job Growth
Healthcare administration currently seems to be a booming career with one of the highest growth rates compared to all other jobs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of health care administrators and various health services managers is expected to increase by 32% from 2019 to 2029. As the population grows older, the demand for healthcare services is expected to increase. This demand includes various administrative functions to manage increase in the healthcare services as well as the need for physicians, medical procedures, and healthcare facilities. In addition, the number of offices of health practitioners is expected to increase as many services provided in hospitals will shift to these settings which requires administrators as well. The job received much more attention recently with the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic that required skillful administration of the available resources. There is also high demand for managers with knowledge of health information technology and informatics systems. Accordingly, having a degree or certificate related to information technology and data analysis can be an advantage to find a distinctive position.
Career Progression
- Early Career – Experience is key when entering this healthcare field. Obtaining a bachelors degree in healthcare administration is also helpful. Along with at least 1-2 years experience for entry level positions.
- Mid-Career – Obtain a Master’s Degree along with 5 plus years experience would guarantee an individual a great income from this career choice.
- Late Career – Maintaining a position with the same hospital or healthcare facility and obtain a reputation among doctors and colleagues of the elite.
Typical Employers
Healthcare administrators can work in different healthcare settings including working for hospitals of different status and sizes whether state, local or private. In addition, you can work for various offices of physicians and different nursing and residential care facilities as well as different outpatient care centers. Some administrators may also be offered positions within the state or federal government whenever their skills are required.
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How To Become a Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare facilities and organizations hire individuals from all different backgrounds. Beginning a career in the healthcare field could begin in a variety of different ways. Those lucky enough to graduate with a high school diploma and get a job as a medical receptionist or as a records specialist have the opportunity to work there way up to a healthcare administrator from the ground up. This is an ideal way to learn the inner workings of the healthcare facility you are assisting and to learn from the preceding administrator.
Another way to enter this expanding field is by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a field like business management, healthcare administration, accounting or marketing. Then, gaining the vital experience needed for this position. Experience is important in this career because every healthcare facility is ran differently and every physician does things a certain way.
Healthcare Administrator Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$72,510Average
$106,070High Range
$165,380National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$35/hrAverage
$51/hrHigh Range
$80/hrHow do Healthcare Administrator salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Healthcare Administrator's can make an average annual salary of $106,070, or $51 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $72,510 or $35 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#53 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Healthcare Administrator. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Healthcare Administrators
- 8% Doctorate
- 23.8% Masters
- 32% Bachelors
- 12.2% Associates
- 15.3% College
- 7.8% High School
- 0.9% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
333,0002024 Est. Jobs
389,300Job Growth Rate
16.9%Est. New Jobs
56,300How does Healthcare Administrator job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 56,300 jobs for a total of 389,300 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 16.9% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#85 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Healthcare Administrators
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | 98,600 | 1,600 | 2% |
| Offices of physicians | 32,800 | 7,400 | 7% |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 19,900 | 1,900 | 2% |
