Master’s in Healthcare Programs in California

Advanced degree nurses are in high demand and highly paid. The BLS projects nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners to be some of the fastest-growing occupations in the medical field, with a growth rate of 40% through 2033, much higher than the national average. That translates to about 31,900 openings for master’s level nurses each year.

In the U.S., these professionals earned a median of $129,480 per year as of 2023, according to the BLS. The lowest 10% made less than $95,530, and the highest 10% earned more than $211,820.

Yes, a master’s in healthcare management can be worth it. As the healthcare sector expands, employment of healthcare workers is projected to grow much faster than other occupations. The BLS projects about 1.9 million openings in healthcare nationwide each year through 2033. Someone will need to manage the nurses, clinicians, doctors, researchers, and specialists moving into the field. Large hospital systems will also continue to demand skilled administrators who can balance efficiency with quality care.

A master’s in healthcare management or administration can give you a competitive upper hand for these leadership roles. It is also a common pathway for careers in medical regulatory affairs or consulting.

The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $110,680 in 2023, per the BLS. A two-year master’s degree at a public university costs around $59,440, making it possible that any initial educational expense could be paid off within the first five years of your career.

Healthcare degrees at the associate level are frequently earned at an accelerated pace; some can take less than 18 months to earn. Training for medical assistants, licensed practical and vocational nurses, medical records and health information specialists, and phlebotomists are some healthcare careers that can be obtained relatively quickly.

Students interested in accelerated bachelor’s or master’s degrees can also consider non-clinical healthcare programs, such as health sciences, healthcare administration, healthcare innovation, human services, or health informatics. Many schools offer hybrid and online options for these academic pursuits, which allow students more control over the pace of their coursework.

Physicians and surgeons command top salaries in the healthcare field, but they also assume the highest educational costs and, oftentimes, debt.

According to the BLS, in California, these professionals earned more than $320,000 per year in 2023, with some earning above $450,000.