11 Highest Paying Healthcare Administration Jobs

In order for a system to work effectively, a lot of people have to work together to achieve that. In the healthcare system, we have the usual: doctors, nurses, hospital personnel, health information managers and various healthcare administrators too. Those working in healthcare administration oversee the workflow of specific departments in a healthcare system.

Are you interested in advancing your career in healthcare administration? Do you want to know the career paths and earning potentials within this dynamic field? In this guide, we’ll delve into 11 highest paying healthcare administration jobs, shedding light on their responsibilities, earning potential, and the qualifications required to excel in these roles.

What is a Healthcare Administration Degree?

A healthcare administration degree is a degree obtained through a special university program. This degree can be an associate degree, a bachelor’s, a master’s, or a doctorate. Each of these degrees, paired with relevant work experience, can make you qualified for various positions in healthcare administration.

An associate degree can usually land you an entry-level position in the field, and you can work your way up to higher positions through the other degree programs up to the doctorate level.

Highest Paying Paying Healthcare Administration Jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), managers working in medical and health services had an average annual salary of $110,680 in 2023. Make sure to check BetterNurse’s resource on nurse salary statistics as well. The pay varies depending on the educational level, work experience, location, and other factors.

Here are some of the best-paid healthcare administration jobs:

1. Nursing home administrator

A nursing home administrator deals primarily with managing the patients in a nursing home. Because a nursing home is so much more than a simple healthcare-providing facility, a nursing home administrator has a few extra responsibilities that are specific to nursing homes.

Generally, they make sure all the patient’s healthcare needs are met and that they also have a pleasant experience. They do this by overseeing nursing services, ensuring that the residents receive high-quality healthcare, food, and entertainment. They also deal with the finances and other departments of the nursing home.

Job prospects & salary

The pay for nursing home administrators differs according to the level of experience. According to PayScale, the average annual salary for this position is $99,569, with the entry-level salary being $77,954. The nursing home administrators with 20+ years of experience make approximately $114,499. As for the job outlook for nursing home administrators, it is expected to grow 28% by 2032, according to the BLS.

2. Health care marketing manager

A healthcare marketing manager’s job includes knowledge of healthcare as well as marketing strategies. Through their marketing skills and strategies, these types of managers help their clients (usually physicians, health insurance companies, hospitals) keep their patients informed about healthcare programs.

Essentially, a healthcare marketing manager is no different than a conventional marketing manager in the sense that there is a client (the healthcare provider), a target market (patients), and a product (healthcare).

Job prospects & salary

According to the data collected by PayScale, a healthcare marketing manager’s average annual salary is $72,983, whereas the BLS predicts a 6% job growth rate for marketing managers in general.

3. Chief nursing officer

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) is the highest healthcare management position in regards to the nursing department. A chief nursing officer has a variety of duties and responsibilities that circle around managing the nursing department in a hospital or other healthcare provider.

This includes managing finances, overseeing patient treatment, assigning schedules, etc. For a CNO position, you will need to obtain a bachelor’s and a master’s as well as have several years of experience as a nurse and in a managerial position.

Job prospects & salary

According to PayScale, the average annual salary for a chief nursing officer is $144,118. This number differs depending on the years of experience, location, and other factors. The job outlook for chief nursing officers is projected to grow 28%, according to the BLS.

4. Health information technology specialist

Given the fact that we live in the digital era, there is a need for everything to be inside a computer to make our lives easier. This is why every hospital needs a health information technology specialist. A health information technology specialist acts as the IT technician in a facility where healthcare is provided. They manage, update, and repair the software system, thus helping organize the work in the facility software-wise.

Job prospects & salary

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a health information technology specialist is $58,079. According to the BLS, the job outlook for this position is expected to increase 8% by 2032.

5. Assisted living administrator

Think of an assisted living administrator as the manager in an assisted living facility. They deal with or manage all the daily processes in such a facility and focus on patient care, i.e. making sure the needs of the patients in the facility are being met.

Job prospects & salary

According to PayScale, an assisted living administrator makes on average $65,670 annually. The BLS has estimated a 28% job growth across all healthcare service managers, including assisted living administrators.

6. Consulting healthcare administrator

A consulting healthcare administrator, working as a freelancer or with a consulting company, offers their services to a variety of healthcare providers. Their responsibilities differ and are determined by their client’s needs but generally include consultation on all areas of a healthcare system in regards to management. This includes financial advice, legal advice, marketing, etc.

Job prospects & salary

According to the BLS, the average annual salary for this position is $110,680, with a 28% projected job growth by 2032.

7. Healthcare quality improvement manager

Like the job title suggests, a healthcare quality improvement manager is responsible for the overall quality of healthcare services in a healthcare facility. Their job includes devising plans and projects to address possible quality issues regarding healthcare services.

Job prospects & salary

According to ZipRecruiter, a healthcare quality improvement specialist’s average annual salary is $61,637.

8. Hospital administrator

The fewer words in your job title, the greater your responsibilities. This is the case with hospital administrators. While other types of administrators mentioned in this article manage a certain department in the healthcare industry, hospital administrators are responsible for the overall activities in a hospital or other healthcare facility.

They are not bound to a certain department; rather, it is their job to establish communication between departments. Other responsibilities include staff evaluation, quality assurance, etc.

Job prospects & salary

According to PayScale, a hospital administrator makes on average $95,066 annually. As was the case with most healthcare managers in the BLS data, employment for this position is expected to grow 28% by 2032.

9. Medical coding specialist

A medical coding specialist’s main focus in their job is medical records. Their responsibilities include evaluation of such records to ensure everything in them is compliant with the  International Classification of Diseases Manual – Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and the American Medical Associations Current Procedural Terminology Manual (CPT) guidelines.

Job prospects & salary

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a medical coding specialist is $61,287, whereas BLS projects an average (8%) job outlook.

10. Ambulatory Services

Ambulatory care, also called outpatient care, is the medical care that is provided on an ambulatory basis and includes services such as:

• diagnosis
• observation
• consultation
• treatment
• intervention
• rehabilitation

In addition, it refers to medical services that are provided on an outpatient basis rather than in a hospital or other facility. However, even though it’s offered outside of hospitals, this care contains advanced medical technology and procedures.

Ambulatory services are provided in a variety of settings, including physician and other health care professional offices, hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, specialized clinics or centers, such as dialysis or infusion, and urgent care clinics.

Job prospects & salary

According to the data collected by Zippia, Ambulatory Services salaries are substantially higher in the government, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. Attendings, Ambulatory Care, for example, earn an average income of $29,802 when working for government agencies. Meanwhile, those in this industry earn $29,247 at Manufacturing firms and $28,996 at Health Care firms.

11. Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare consultants are professionals who specialize in performing thorough studies and analyses to design solutions for effective workplace operations. They study the processes in a hospital to determine its efficiency, earnings, and general structure. In addition, they formulate recommendations based on their results.

Furthermore, most of the time, healthcare consultants collaborate with several departments to gather data, identify strengths and weaknesses in existing systems, establish plans to enhance certain areas, present budgets, and business plans, as well as advocate steps to optimize processes.

Healthcare consultants must also generate progress reports and client presentations, advise on alternatives, and execute new and current policies and laws. They work directly for a consulting or privately-run firm to consult with clinics, doctor’s offices, or major government-owned hospitals.

Job prospects &  salary

According to the data collected by Zippia, Healthcare Consultants in the United States make an average salary of $84,208 per year or $40 per hour. When it comes to job outlook, in the next decade, the career of a Healthcare Consultant is expected to expand by 14 percent and produce roughly 118,300 new job opportunities all around the United States.

The Bottom Line

So, if you are set on a career in healthcare, but you also want to put to work your management and leadership skills, consider either one of the options mentioned above. These healthcare field offers some of the highest paying healthcare administration jobs.

From executive positions to specialized roles in finance, information technology, and human resources, there are ample opportunities for professionals to make a significant impact while enjoying competitive compensation.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, these high paying roles will remain in demand, making it an attractive career path for those with the right qualifications and passion for making a difference in healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are some of the highest paying healthcare administration jobs?

Some of the highest paying roles include Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of healthcare organizations, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in healthcare settings.

What qualifications are typically required for these high-paying positions?

These positions often require a master’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration (MBA), or a related field. Extensive experience in healthcare management and leadership roles is also crucial.

What responsibilities do these high-paying healthcare administrators have?

They oversee the overall operations, financial management, strategic planning, and policy implementation within healthcare organizations. They also play a key role in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and improving healthcare delivery.

Which sectors or types of healthcare organizations offer the highest paying administrative jobs?

Large hospital systems, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare consulting firms are known for offering some of the highest salaries for healthcare administrators due to the complexity and scale of their operations.

How competitive is the job market for these high-paying roles?

The job market can be highly competitive, especially for executive-level positions. Candidates with a strong educational background, relevant experience, and a track record of leadership in healthcare administration are typically preferred.

What are the career prospects for healthcare administrators in these high-paying roles?

Career prospects are generally positive for experienced healthcare administrators, with opportunities for advancement into higher-level executive positions or consultancy roles. The demand for skilled administrators is expected to grow as healthcare systems become more complex and the population ages.

Are there opportunities for healthcare administrators to earn additional compensation through bonuses or incentives?

Yes, many healthcare organizations offer performance-based bonuses, stock options, and other incentives to attract and retain talented administrators. These can significantly increase overall compensation packages.

What are some challenges faced by healthcare administrators in high-paying roles?

Challenges include navigating healthcare policy changes, managing financial constraints, improving patient outcomes while controlling costs, and adapting to technological advancements in healthcare delivery.

How can someone pursuing a high-paying healthcare administration career best prepare themselves?

Obtaining advanced degrees, gaining relevant experience through internships or entry-level positions in healthcare administration, and building a strong network within the healthcare industry are essential steps to prepare for these roles.

What trends are shaping the future of high-paying healthcare administration jobs?

Trends such as telemedicine, data analytics, value-based care models, and technology integration into healthcare delivery are influencing the skills and expertise required of healthcare administrators in high-paying roles.