With a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree, you will possess the management, financial, technological, operational, and people skills needed to lead a healthcare organization, government health institution, healthcare clinic, or other healthcare entity. MHA job demand and salary expectations are high in a field that has undergone seismic shifts since the onset of the COVID pandemic. With healthcare administration salary expectations over $100,000 and job growth expected to increase by more than four times the national average, top administration jobs in healthcare are highly appealing. Read on to learn more about MHA salary levels, job growth, and how MHA specialization areas factor into the equation.
The data in this article comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a U.S. government agency that measures labor market activity, working conditions, salary changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making. The BLS is widely accepted as the authoritative source for projected salary and job growth data.
MHA salary figures include compensation such as annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, and bonuses, but do not include additional benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefit packages.
For comparative purposes, the BLS reports that the median annual salary for all jobs in the U.S. in 2021 was $45,760. The BLS also states that overall, jobs are projected to grow by 5% (adding 8.3 million jobs) from now until 2031.
Salary and Career Outlook for MHA Jobs Overall
Most MHA graduates pursue administration and leadership jobs in healthcare as hospital administrators, clinic directors, nursing home administrators, health service managers, and other related leadership roles. Healthcare administrator salaries can exceed $100,000, with MHA job growth projected to be more than four times the national average.
The BLS reports that the median annual salary for medical and health services managers (the BLS category covering most MHA administration jobs in healthcare) in 2021 was $101,340, with job growth projected to increase by 28% (5.6 times the national average) from now until 2031. Looking at healthcare administration salary expectations by organizational type, the BLS reports the following median salary figures:
- Hospitals (state, local and private): $119,450
- Government: $117,000
- Outpatient care centers: $99,540
- Offices of physicians: $98,230
- Nursing and residential care facilities: $83,550
MHA Job Specializations: Career and Salary Outlook
MHA salary and MHA job growth outlook figures can be affected by a number of factors, including institutional pay scales, geographic region and supply and demand for administration jobs in healthcare in a particular area of employment or specialty.
Some MHA degree programs offer students the opportunity to supplement their education by selecting an area of specialization. Students in these programs complete additional coursework in their chosen specialty area to increase their knowledge and skill in that particular area. Completing a supplemental specialization program can increase your MHA salary and earning potential by preparing you to obtain a high-level job in a specialty area.
Let’s drill down to see how healthcare administration salary levels and career paths can be affected by specializing in an MHA job area.
Executive Leadership MHA Job Specialization
An Executive Leadership specialization prepares MHA graduates for a variety of executive administration jobs in healthcare organizations. Through completing additional coursework in healthcare organization leadership, finance, operations, strategic planning, and other areas, students who attain this specialization are well prepared for top leadership roles, including:
- Health services manager
- Business operations strategist
- Revenue cycle manager
- Director of compliance
Healthcare administration salary expectations increase by obtaining executive leadership training. While the BLS reports that the median annual salary for all medical and health services managers in 2021 was $101,340, MHA graduates with an Executive Leadership specialization can expect to elevate their career path to a top leadership role in hospitals (median annual salary $119,450) or government health institutions (median annual salary $117,000).
Learn more about the Executive Leadership specialization through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ flexible online MHA program.
Business Intelligence MHA Job Specialization
Students completing a Business Intelligence specialization learn to use data to make decisions about business operations and patient care. Additional coursework focuses on areas such as data analytics, health informatics, and information management. MHA graduates with a Business Intelligence specialization are prepared to excel in administration jobs in healthcare such as:
- Business intelligence analyst
- Budget or financial analyst
- Healthcare data analyst
- IT or clinical systems support manager
- Telemedicine services coordinator
There is a strong and growing demand for graduates with a business intelligence degree or health information management degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of financial analysts will increase by 9% over the next decade—faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. Employment of management analysts will grow 11% over the same timeframe—much faster than the average.
Employment of management analysts will grow 11% over the same timeframe—much faster than the average.
Learn more about the Business Intelligence specialization through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ flexible online MHA program.
Interprofessional Education MHA Job Specialization
Interprofessional education is a style of learning in which students in two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enhance effective collaboration and improve health outcomes. MHA students in an interprofessional education specialization learn to excel in communicating and collaborating harmoniously with team members from other disciplines. They gain the leadership, project management, and communication skills needed to facilitate effective collaboration between healthcare provider teams. These students are well prepared for administration jobs in healthcare that:
- Lead cross functional teams in healthcare
- Collaborate with clinicians and administrators to optimize aspects of health informatics
- Demonstrate cultural competence when managing diverse teams
- Communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders
- Enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes
MHA graduates with an interprofessional education in healthcare specialty are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for health administrators and managers are projected to grow 28% from now until 2031. MHA graduates with an interprofessional education specialization work in hospitals, nursing homes, group medical practices, and other related organizations.
Learn more about the Interprofessional Education specialization through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ flexible online MHA program.
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward a High Paying Administration Job in Healthcare?
The flexible online MHA degree program at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the ideal way to earn your MHA around your busy schedule.
Learn when and where you prefer as you join a diverse cohort and collaborate on interprofessional projects together.
Our MHA program offers career-boosting specializations in Executive Leadership, Business Intelligence, and Interprofessional Education. We also offer programs that allow you to obtain national-level certifications to help you advance in your administration job in a healthcare career path.
Learn more about how you can advance your healthcare leadership career with the flexible online MHA degree from USAHS.
