Health Administration - Career Options

Well-Educated Health Care Leaders are in High Demand!

This is an exciting time for healthcare managers. There is a need for talented people to help introduce and manage the changes taking place. As noted by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE):

Healthcare executives have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to improving the health of the communities their organizations serve. As a result of the transformation taking place in the healthcare system, career options for healthcare executives are becoming more diverse. Increasingly, positions for healthcare executives may be found in a wide variety of settings, such as:

Today, an estimated 100,000 people occupy health management positions at numerous organizational levels, from department head to chief executive officer. Requirements for senior-level positions in healthcare organizations are demanding, but these jobs also offer opportunities to improve the system of care giving.

With the growing diversity in the healthcare system, many executives are needed in settings other than the traditional hospital. However, competition is intense at all job levels, and many positions that previously required only a bachelor's degree now require a master's degree. Each year, about 2,000 students receive graduate degrees in healthcare management. Salaries for beginning master's degree graduates generally range from the high-30s to high-40s, depending on the type of organization and its location. If you choose a career in healthcare management, your first job might be an entry- to mid-level management position in a specialized area, such as: