Healthcare regulations and medical technology grow more complex every day, especially now that businesses are adopting AI to help execute tasks. Healthcare administrators who can successfully navigate these complexities are in high demand by employers like hospitals, clinics, senior care facilities, and government agencies throughout the United States.
Earning your master’s degree in healthcare administration (MHA) opens doors to a broad range of professional opportunities and career paths — not just within healthcare, but also in fields like business consulting. Getting your MHA degree will help you distinguish yourself as a highly qualified and motivated candidate who can manage teams, implement solutions, and lead organizations to success. Here, we answer a common question: What Can You Do with a Master’s in Healthcare Administration?
Table of Contents
- Typical Workplaces for MHA Graduates
- Master’s in Healthcare Administration Jobs
- Jobs Outside of the Healthcare Industry
- Is a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration Worth it?
- Earn Your MHA Online at National University
If you’re thinking about pursuing an MHA degree, this guide will help you determine how a master’s in healthcare administration can help you achieve your current and long-term career goals. Read on to learn about the different job opportunities for MHA graduates, job outlook, and what doors are open to you with a master’s degree in healthcare administration.
Typical Workplaces for MHA Graduates
MHA degree holders work in a wide range of settings, from university hospital systems to nursing homes and insurance companies. Here are a few examples of workplaces where your MHA degree could lead you:
- Hospital Systems — Public hospitals, private hospitals, and other large healthcare systems are among the most common employers for MHA degree holders.
- Outpatient Clinics — MHA graduates are in high demand at outpatient facilities, such as urgent care clinics, lab centers, and community health centers.
- Senior Care Facilities — As the population ages, so does the demand for administrators in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and other long-term care settings.
- Insurance Providers — Many MHA graduates elect to enter the insurance and managed care sector, working in such areas as claims management, policy analysis, and provider network management.
- Consulting Services — MHA holders can put their knowledge and skills to work in healthcare consulting areas like strategic planning, process improvement, and regulatory compliance.
- Government Agencies — Armed with an MHA, you could work for a variety of federal, state, or local government agencies, such as the California Department of Public Health.
Job Outlook for MHA Grads
The economic outlook for those who hold a master’s degree in healthcare administration is extremely positive. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) overview of healthcare occupations in the United States, “Overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 1.8 million openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers.”
The BLS expects even faster growth when it comes to certain healthcare careers, such as medical and health services managers — a field the BLS estimates will grow by 28%, “much faster than average,” from 2022 through 2032.
Numerous factors drive this growth, making it unlikely to slow or reverse anytime soon. An aging population causing a surge in demand for care, the increasing pressure on healthcare systems to minimize costs, and the increasing integration of technology into medicine all play a role in the growing need for qualified professionals in this field. For instance, as hospitals and clinics rely more on data analytics and electronic health records (EHRs), the outcome is high demand for team members with strong analytical and technological skills.
Salary Information for MHA Grads
How much can a master’s degree boost your earning potential, and what does a typical salary range for most MHA graduates look like?
It’s important to emphasize that the salary range for MHA holders can vary significantly depending on factors like location, industry, level of experience, and specific job titles. With that in mind, MHA graduates can generally expect to earn competitive salaries that reflect the value of their advanced education and expertise in healthcare management. You can find specific salary examples in the next section of this guide, which explores popular careers you can enter with an MHA degree.
Even if you decide that an MHA isn’t right for you, you can still increase your earning power by obtaining a related master’s degree in healthcare, such as a Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI). As the BLS points out, graduate degree holders have “the lowest unemployment rates and highest earnings” compared to employees with bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees, or a GED, with median weekly earnings and unemployment rates (shown in parentheses) as follows:
- Associate’s Degree — $1,058 (2.7%)
- Bachelor’s Degree — $1,493 (2.2%)
- Master’s Degree — $1,737 (2.0%)
Master’s in Healthcare Administration Jobs
From healthcare consultant to hospital CEO, there are numerous career paths to explore with an MHA. Read on to compare five of the most in-demand jobs you can get with a master’s degree in healthcare administration, including hospital CEO, healthcare operations manager, healthcare consultant, and more.
Operations Manager
A healthcare operations manager is responsible for directing and overseeing various aspects of a medical organization’s strategies and operations. Some examples include purchasing hospital supplies, handling staffing issues, developing budgets, and maintaining compliance with regulations.
According to data submitted to Glassdoor, which is a website where current or former employees can anonymously rate and review companies, the average salary for a healthcare operations manager is over $157,600. According to Comparably, another employment review site, healthcare operations managers can command a salary between $81,867 and $859,676, with the average salary standing at $186,431.
Healthcare Consultant
As a healthcare consultant, you’ll provide your expertise to organizations like hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and family practices. You may also advise organizations like software developers or tech companies that design medical products, equipment, or apps.
The BLS does not provide salary information specific to healthcare consultants. However, according to Glassdoor, healthcare consultants earn an average salary of $98,753 per year.”
Hospital CEO
The chief executive officer (CEO) serves as the face of the hospital and represents it in external affairs, such as building relationships with stakeholders like government agencies, community leaders, and other healthcare organizations. Hospital CEOs also oversee budgets, set organizational goals, implement business strategies, and manage other tasks relevant to administrative functionality.
The BLS does not provide salary data specific to hospital CEOs, but reports that for top executives in general, the median annual salary is over $206,600. According to the employment website ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a hospital CEO hovers around $151,302.
Hospital COO
The chief operating officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the hospital’s daily operations and ensuring that the organization is providing care as efficiently as possible. This includes tasks like managing departments, coordinating resources, and implementing policies that optimize performance.
A hospital COO is also responsible for allocating and optimizing the hospital’s resources, like staffing and equipment. They are aware of changing laws, regulations, and accreditation standards and work to ensure their hospital is compliant. Additionally, hospital COOs are responsible for implementing quality improvement initiatives and tracking various performance metrics.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a hospital COO in the United States is approximately $151,200.
Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical and health services managers are also referred to as “healthcare administrators” or “healthcare executives.” Their duties generally include recruiting new hires, training employees, managing organizations’ budgets, meeting with investors, and overseeing regulatory compliance.
According to recent data from the BLS, medical and health services managers earn a median annual wage of $110,680. With this in mind, hospitals are generally higher-paying employers for medical and health services managers when compared to those employed at outpatient care centers ($104,710), doctor offices ($102,360), or nursing facilities ($97,490).
These are just a few examples of careers you can pursue with a master’s degree in healthcare administration. Other potential career paths include:
- Administrative services and facilities manager
- Director of operations
- Hospital administrator
- Human resources (HR) manager
- Nursing home administrator
- Program director
Jobs Outside of the Healthcare Industry
MHA programs are designed for careers in healthcare, but the skills and knowledge gained can be applied across various industries. Graduates of MHA programs bring a unique blend of management expertise, analytical skills, and an understanding of complex business systems, making them valuable in many different roles and sectors.
Here are a few examples of fields outside the medical industry where an MHA degree can help you stand out and get hired:
- Insurance and Managed Care Organizations — Roles in areas such as claims management, policy analysis, provider network management, and risk assessment can be excellent opportunities for those who hold an MHA.
- Non-Profit Organizations — Non-profit organizations that involve healthcare advocacy, research, or community outreach often seek individuals with a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape. MHA graduates can contribute their knowledge and skills in roles like program director, grant manager, or operations manager.
- Government Agencies — Federal, state, and local government agencies need professionals who have expertise in healthcare administration, policy development, and regulatory compliance. MHA graduates can find opportunities in roles like policy analysts, program managers, or compliance officers within government organizations.
- Business Consulting — MHA graduates can leverage their knowledge of regulatory compliance, healthcare technology, and strategic planning to provide insights and recommendations to clients in various industries — particularly in areas like product development and user experience optimization. For example, companies that develop apps or software for the healthcare industry often seek out consultants who possess a deep understanding of hospital operations and procedures.
Is a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration Worth it?
Earning an MHA can greatly boost your earning potential, expand your career opportunities, and set you apart from other candidates in fields like healthcare, non-profit work, the public sector, and consulting. However, it’s also important to consider your personal interests and strengths when making this decision.
For example, MHA coursework typically covers topics like accounting, marketing, strategy development, and leadership in the context of healthcare. As an MHA student, you’ll collect and analyze data, learn how to manage human resources, and eventually complete a supervised internship in a real healthcare setting. If you’re passionate about those areas of study and learning experiences, a master’s in healthcare administration might be an excellent fit for you.
If a traditional master’s degree program isn’t aligned with your goals at this time, consider an alternative like earning a professional certificate, such as a Graduate Certificate in Nursing Quality and Safety. Another option is to earn your master’s degree online, or to enroll in an accelerated study program, which are two strategies for graduating earlier so that you can grow your career faster.
Earn Your MHA Online at National University
Founded in 1971, National University offers one of the nation’s most rigorous MHA programs, giving students the option to complete their education online or in an on-campus setting. The program, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and accepted for Candidacy by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), features an intensive curriculum that emphasizes career readiness and hands-on skill development.
Students who are accepted into the program will complete courses like Health Economics, Healthcare Law and Ethics, Healthcare Planning and Marketing, and Public Health Research Methods, culminating in a 120-hour internship and three-month capstone project. Students will also have unique career-building and networking opportunities thanks to National University’s partnership with the San Diego Organization of Healthcare Leaders (SOHL), the premier professional society for healthcare leaders in San Diego and Imperial Counties, which has a membership of more than 30,000 healthcare executives.
With an online MHA option, fast-paced 4-week courses, scholarships and financial aid, and a comprehensive network of resources for veterans and military students, NU offers a flexible and convenient way to earn your master’s degree in healthcare administration. Learn more about the MHA program at National University, get in touch with our graduate admissions counselors, or start your application to NU online today.