Healthcare now ranks as the largest employer among all industries in the United States. Federal projections call for another four million healthcare jobs added in the decade that ends in 2026. That kind of explosive growth has made the demand for qualified administrators higher than ever.
That’s good news for those who have decided to enter an online Master of Healthcare Administration degree program. But what jobs can a graduate from such a program qualify for? The following looks at some of the best paying options, as well as salary figures for Massachusetts and surrounding states.
Job Growth Numbers For Healthcare Administrators
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the most frequently cited source for job and salary information across the country. The federal agency lists healthcare administrator jobs under the field “medical and health service managers.”
Some quick facts about statistics nationwide on jobs in this category:
- The annual median pay in May 2020 was $118,800
- The BLS projects 32% growth in the field between the years 2019 and 2029, with more than 133,200 people entering the field
- A master’s degree in these occupations is common and preferred by many employers
Those who have decided to enter a master’s degree program in healthcare administration are positioning themselves for rewarding jobs in this rapidly growing field. But what are the most likely places of employment?
Jobs in Healthcare Administration
Those who earn a master’s in healthcare administration may work as an executive for a hospital or lead a large department. They may also manage a system of doctors’ offices or oversee a community center, an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Other graduates find success in the high-paying industries of pharmaceutical development and scientific research.
The BLS provides data on the top employers of those in the healthcare administration field, as well as the median annual salary in May 2020. It gives those considering a graduate degree in healthcare administration a good idea of the job potential.
The top employers of healthcare administrators are:
- Medical and surgical hospitals ($127,330)
- Offices of physicians ($112,700)
- Outpatient care centers ($117,200)
- Nursing care facilities ($100,160)
- Home healthcare services ($100,880)
Employment in New England
The BLS information covers salaries nationwide. Salaries in Massachusetts and neighboring states tend to be higher than the national average. In some cases, they are among the highest in the country. Here’s a look at a few of those states (all salary numbers are the mean annual salary as of May 2020).
Massachusetts. The number of healthcare administrators is expected to grow 9.5% by 2028. The mean annual salary in the state is $136,930, far higher than the national number. Also, Boston employs the third-highest number of healthcare administrators and offers a mean annual salary of $143,020.
Connecticut. The number of healthcare administrators is expected to grow 14.8% by 2028. The mean annual salary in the state is $130,150.
Rhode Island. The number of healthcare administrators is expected to grow 8.9% by 2028. The mean annual salary in the state is $130,620.
New Hampshire. The number of healthcare administrators is expected to grow 17% by 2028. The mean annual salary in the state is $120,490.