Are Healthcare Administrator Jobs Growing?

Rapid growth in the healthcare industry has created millions of new healthcare administrator jobs and expanded the number of hospitals, clinics, and community health centers. This growth has driven an increasing need for qualified healthcare administrators who can successfully manage medical facilities and employees. 

The enormous growth in the field shows no signs of slowing. Experts name healthcare as one of the top industries driving economic growth in the United States since the 2008 recession. The healthcare industry already makes up about 18% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.  

Healthcare leadership positions are available for those who earn a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration or a Master of Science in Management in Healthcare Administration. Most healthcare administrators have a bachelor’s degree, although master’s degrees are also common and preferred by some employers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Factors Driving Growth in Healthcare Administrator Jobs 

The BLS projects a 14% increase in healthcare jobs by 2028. That translates into 1.9 million new healthcare workers. For “medical and health service managers,” the BLS projects 18% growth by 2028. That’s more than double the projected growth rate for all other occupations over the next decade. 

Many factors drive the need for more healthcare administrators. They include: 

• An explosion in healthcare jobs. With millions of new workers, healthcare administrators are needed to manage staff, health records, facilities, and budgets. 
• An aging U.S. population. About 20% of the U.S. population will reach retirement age by 2030. By 2034, more people over 65 will live in the U.S. than those under 18, a first for the country. More senior citizens will drive the need for more healthcare services. 
• Expanded services. Due in part to advances in technology, there are more healthcare services available, such as screening tests. 
• Education. More people of all ages know the advantages of proactive medical care and do a better job than past generations in regularly seeing medical professionals and taking advantage of healthcare services.

Experts expect none of these trends to end soon. For example, the median age of the U.S. population is expected to increase from 38 to 43 between now and 2060. The number of healthcare jobs, including administrators, should continue to grow over the next few decades. 

Potential Jobs for Healthcare Administrators 

Every healthcare facility has someone who manages the operation. That includes hospitals, physician clinics, nurse practitioner offices, research laboratories, walk-in clinics, outpatient clinics, testing laboratories, community centers, and government healthcare agencies at the local, state and federal level. 

That’s why 401,600 people already work in the field. Jobs titles include: 

• Hospital CEO
• Head of quality improvement
• Doctor’s clinic administrator
• Medical group practice manager
• Community health center director
• Healthcare consultant

Salaries depend on job title, location, and type of medical operation. The average annual salary for all healthcare managers in May 2018 reached $113,730, according to federal statistics. The top 10 percent in the field earned more than $182,600. 

In New England, Massachusetts ranks among the top five states in the country for healthcare administrator employment. Both Massachusetts ($133,900) and Connecticut ($129,480) rank among the top five states in the U.S. for healthcare manager salaries. 

How to Become a Healthcare Administrator 

According to a survey of healthcare managers by the federal government-run ONET Online, 65% of respondents held a bachelor’s degree while 12% held a master’s degree. ONET also describes skills that lead to success for healthcare administrators, including attention to detail, dependability, leadership abilities, communication, and problem-solving. 

A BS in Healthcare Administration prepares graduates for leadership positions in the field. It also serves as an important step along the way to earning a master’s degree. The curriculum for the degree program at New England College includes courses in: 

• Organization and Management in Healthcare
• Cultural Diversity in Healthcare
• Introduction to Community Health
• Issues in Ethics for Healthcare Administrators
• Healthcare Statistics
• Economics of Healthcare
• Marketing for Healthcare
• Long-term Care
• Financial Management in Healthcare
• Health Informatics
• Health Plans and Insurance
• Outcomes Assessment and Quality Management
• Managerial Accounting For Healthcare Administrators
• Strategic Leadership and Planning for Healthcare

Students leave the program knowing both the latest healthcare administration theory and how to apply it to real-world challenges. 

Those who wish to further refine their skills can enter the New England College MSM in Healthcare Administration graduate program. The program sharpens critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also teaches graduates to manage healthcare projects, oversee communication and marketing, and expand knowledge of technology and health informatics.