For individuals committed to delivering leadership and innovation in the healthcare system, a graduate degree in health administration provides the necessary education; but, before embarking on this academic path, it is important to research career options and master of health administration salary ranges.
A master of health administration degree prepares future healthcare leaders to take on the challenges posed by the modern healthcare system. Healthcare administrators focus on improving the quality and efficiency of care provided to patients, while managing the financial and personnel aspects of a health organization. Today’s healthcare system is complex and expensive, and will only become more so as the nation’s population continues to age, making the need for exceptional healthcare management a top priority for the industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of healthcare administrators will increase by a projected 22 percent over the next decade, faster than average for all other professions. When seeking employment in the field, a master’s level degree may lend a competitive edge over other candidates.
In response to the growing demand for qualified health administration professionals, many top-rated universities now offer specialized MHA degrees. Notable schools range from the University of Washington, which offers a versatile MHA/MBA dual-degree program, to the University of South Carolina, with its 1,000 -hour administrative residency requirement designed to provide real world experience. Students needing the flexibility of distance-based education have a number of online Master of Health Administration Degree options as well, including Louisiana State University’s online MHA program, which allows students to enroll in any semester, on a part-time or full-time basis. Degree candidates already working professionally may be interested in the Executive MHA program at the University of Minnesota, which requires a minimum of three years of management or clinical leadership experience, and can be completed through mostly online coursework.
Master of Health Administration Salary Details
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of healthcare administrators was $84,270 as of 2010. Health administration salaries vary depending on the size of the facility and the corresponding level of responsibility. Administrators employed by practices with six or fewer physicians earned a median salary of $86,459 in 2010, while on the other end of the spectrum, administrators for practices with 26 or more physicians earned a median salary of $150,756 in the same year. Location can play a role in possible Master of Health Administration Salary ranges as well, with Payscale.com listing major metropolitan centers such as Dallas, Los Angeles and Philadelphia as popular cities for health administration professionals.
Health administrators can work in a variety of health-related settings. As of 2010, state, local and private hospitals employed the greatest number of health administrators, according to the BLS. Other potential places of employment include physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities, home healthcare services providers and outpatient care centers.
Clinical managers oversee the management of one specific department within a healthcare facility, such as surgery or physical therapy. They communicate closely with physicians while setting goals, developing procedures and policies and creating budgets for their given departments. Payscale.com reports that clinical managers typically earn $39,584 to $87,494.
Health information managers maintain the accuracy, accessibility and security of patient records databases. This position requires continual attention to ever-evolving technology and to changes in current or proposed health information laws and regulations. Salaries for health information managers generally range from $36,350 to $104,698, according to Payscale.com.
Nursing home administrators supervise operations in nursing care facilities, planning, directing and coordinating the admission and care of residents while managing the facility’s staff and finances. Nursing home administrators in all states must be licensed. According to Payscale.com, the typical salary range for a nursing home administrator is $45,636 to $115,594.
Starting position opportunities for health administrators vary depending on the size of the organization as well as the educational or career experience of the job applicant. To maximize advancement potential, graduate-level health administration students should focus on gaining real world experience and on cultivating a strong understanding of their chosen fields, whether through residencies, supervised internships or concentrated curricula. A solid academic background is the first step toward earning a higher master of health administration salary.
In 2010, Hospital Administrator was ranked as #36 on its list of 100 Best Jobs in America.
