Health Care Administration Salaries

As one of the largest industries in the country, the health care field is expected to create more job opportunities in the coming years. In fact, health care employment is expected to increase 22 percent, almost doubling the average total increase of all other industries. Due to high turnover rates, an aging population and other factors, many positions are available for those with a health care background.
 
In particular, health care administrative positions are expected to increase almost 25 percent until the year 2010. As this industry grows, many are seeking health care careers to meet the demand.

Health Care Job Salaries

Generally, those working in hospitals make more money than those working in nursing or residential care facilities. However, salary greatly depends on education level, training, duties and the amount of accountability of the position.
 
Physicians' salaries after residency can range from $110,000 to $260,000, depending on their specialties. With a spread of $48,000 to $63,000, nurses' salaries depend on the facilities where they are employed. The median income for pharmacists is approximately $102,449.
 
Of course, it is important to note that these are rough estimates. Plenty of other factors influence health care salaries, such as the amount of experience a worker has and the location of the facility.

Health Care Administration and Management

Health care administrators and managers are in charge of coordinating and managing the health staff. They can also be responsible for policy making and finances for the facility. Most of these positions require a master's degree.
 
Health care administrators fall into two categories: generalists and specialists. Generalists have a wide focus, concerning themselves with managing the whole staff of a facility. Specialists, on the other hand, deal with a certain aspect of the facility. Some specialists may focus on public relations, finances or marketing.
 
The health care administration and management industry is growing rapidly. Currently, there are about 100,000 people working in this field. However, there is a lot of confusion about what a person can do with a health care administration degree because of the degree's flexibility. While the opportunities are vast, it can also prove to be difficult for people to focus their interests.
 
A few options for degree holders in health care administration include work in:
  • clinics
  • consulting firms
  • health insurance companies
  • hospitals
  • private practices
  • rehabilitation centers
  • research institutions.

Health Care Management Salaries

Within the field of health care administration, salary varies depending upon the job title. Among the highest paid within this field are the administrators, CEO's or COO's with an average of $114,296. More specifically, average salaries vary as follows (in order of highest to lowest salaries):
  • health care administrator (in a pharmacy clinic): $113,200
  • health care administrator (in oncology clinics): $95,200
  • lab technician: $88,800
  • health services manager: $88,210 to $52,530
  • health information administrator: $85,000 to $54,700
  • respiratory care clinician: $76,800
  • health care director: $72,140
  • health care managers: $58,942
  • health care coordinators: $47,538
  • medical office administrators: $46,750 to $34,500
  • client representatives: $38,010.
Share |