How Much Do Healthcare Administrators Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare administrators earned a median annual salary of $110,680 as of May 2023. However, your experience, location, and industry can impact your wages.

The path to becoming a healthcare administrator involves earning at least a bachelor’s degree, which takes approximately four years. You can pursue more advanced roles if you earn a master’s degree in healthcare administration, which can take between one and two years.

We’ve broken down average salaries for this role across states and outlined tips for increasing your pay.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

While the median annual salary for healthcare administrators was around $110,680 in 2023, your salary can vary widely depending on your experience level and the specific role or industry you’re in.

According to the BLS, the lowest 10% of earners made around $67,900 each year, while the top 90% made around $216,750 annually. Those who worked in hospitals earned a median of about $130,000 per year, whereas those who worked in nursing and residential care facilities earned under $100,000.

Some states may pay more than others to adjust for the cost of living and the demand for healthcare services in that area. The absence or presence of major healthcare institutions can also determine salary rates.

According to the BLS, New York, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia are the highest-paying states, with average annual salaries exceeding $150,000 in May 2023.

Healthcare administrators in Alabama, Arkansas, and Kentucky earn the lowest average salaries, per the BLS, making under six figures per year.

Success depends on many factors. So, while the following tips cannot guarantee a raise, taking these steps can potentially increase your salary as a healthcare administrator.

Earning a master’s degree in healthcare administration is an excellent way to advance your career. A master’s program can help you develop specialized skills in managing healthcare systems, making you an asset to any healthcare organization.

With a graduate degree, you can stand out to hiring managers and more easily access leadership roles.

Experience counts when you’re trying to move up in your career. The more time you spend working in a role, the more you show your commitment.

You might start in an entry-level job working as a medical administrative assistant for a few years before you move up. Gaining work experience improves your skill set, making you a more desirable candidate.

As a healthcare administrator, you’ll work behind the scenes to ensure healthcare facilities run efficiently and smoothly and deliver quality patient care.

To manage teams and make informed decisions, you’ll need leadership skills such as empathy, communication, and critical thinking. Seeking mentors and taking on unofficial leadership roles can help you develop these skills.

You can also pursue certifications, which show your expertise and dedication. They can also make you a more attractive job candidate.

The Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) credential demonstrates your mastery of every aspect of health management, while the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) provides a variety of certifications.

Specializing in an area of interest within healthcare administration can strengthen your expertise and boost your salary.

Specializations let you focus on high-demand areas of healthcare administration, such as healthcare informatics and medical and health services. The expert knowledge you gain from choosing a specialization can increase your value to employers.

Asking to take on more responsibility at work shows that you’re ready to advance, and carrying out these new tasks shows your ability to manage increased workloads.

You can then showcase your contributions and accomplishments and build a case for a salary increase. Be sure to document your successes and align them with the organization’s goals to show your value and increase the likelihood of a raise.