Healthcare is a big industry. In 2021, healthcare spending in the United States accounted for over 18% of gross domestic product (GDP), totaling $4.3 trillion in spending. That is nearly $13,000 per individual in the U.S. It is also growing: By 2031, healthcare will account for nearly 20% of US GDP.
As a result, the medical and health services management job sector is growing rapidly across the healthcare industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from now until 2032, employment in this sector is forecast to grow by 28%, adding an average of 54,700 openings each year. The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $104,830 in 2022, with median pay varying by industry, including state, local and private hospitals ($125,280), government ($119,100), outpatient care centers ($101,890), doctor’s offices ($99,440), and nursing and residential care facilities ($93,610).
Healthcare management leaders—those at the upper-management, director, vice-president, and executive levels—will have the greatest opportunities to address these challenging trends. To join their ranks, you will need experience and training. A healthcare MBA can provide both, delivering the specialized knowledge and skills required to apply general business principles to the healthcare sector.
In today’s market, online education creates opportunities for you to earn an MBA in Healthcare Management from a world-class institution such as Case Western Reserve University, no matter where you live. What sort of jobs can this degree prepare you for? This article explores 15 healthcare MBA careers you should find in almost every city.
Develop Your Healthcare Leadership Profile
Build Skills to Succeed in a Growing Industry
Healthcare management careers found in almost every city
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022, states with the highest employment levels for medical and health services managers included:
- California (52,350)
- Texas (46,460)
- Florida (32,730)
- New York (25,430)
- Massachusetts (20,300)
The states that employed the highest concentration of medical and health services managers in 2022 were:
- Massachusetts (5.69 jobs/1,000)
- Arkansas (5.17/1,000)
- Maryland (4.75/1,000)
- Kentucky (4.73/1,000)
- Montana (4.31/1,000)
In 2022, the highest annual mean wages of health and medical services managers were found in:
- New York ($171,620)
- District of Columbia ($156,870)
- New Jersey ($153,300)
- Massachusetts ($152,450)
- Delaware ($150,840)
Listed below are 15 leadership and management roles you can find in any region that boasts a robust healthcare market.
1. Hospital CEO
The highest-ranking executive at a hospital, the chief executive officer (CEO) oversees hospital administration and management. Perhaps more important, the CEO drives long-term strategy and spearheads fundraising efforts.
Average annual income: $600,000
2. Hospital CFO
The hospital chief financial officer (CFO) controls the financial aspects of the business, supervising budgets, managing investments, and reporting to ensure a steady revenue stream.
Average annual income: $266,000
3. Hospital director of operations
The hospital director of operations oversees operational efficiency across all departments, streamlining processes to guarantee effective resource allocation.
Median annual income: $190,110
4. Medical practice manager
Medical practice managers lead operational, administrative and financial tasks so physicians can focus on patient treatment and management.
Median annual income: $143,430
5. Healthcare financial manager
Financial managers plan, report and analyze the company finances. In the medical field, the role focuses on how healthcare spending impacts patient care and healthcare institutions’ financial health.
Median annual income by industry:
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $163,020
- Physicians’ offices: $146,440
- Outpatient care centers: $140,540
- Home health care servives: $133,170
- Nursing care facilities: $128,330
6. Health services manager
Health services managers deliver, plan and direct services for healthcare organizations while optimizing resources and expenses.
Median annual income: $127,980
7. Pharmaceutical manager
Pharmaceutical managers supervise operations, strategy and regulatory compliance for pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organizations.
Median annual income: $185,550
8. Business development manager
Medical field business development managers identify and forge new partnerships, develop strategies to increase market presence and expand the scope of healthcare services offered.
Median annual income: $135,980
9. Healthcare human resources manager
Healthcare human resources managers drive internal recruitment strategies, manage staff dynamics and work to keep teams motivated to boost job satisfaction.
Median annual income by industry:
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $144,450
- Outpatient care centers: $121,170
- Physicians’ offices: $120,380
- Home health care services: $106,980
- Nursing care facilities: $98,160
10. Healthcare quality assurance manager
Healthcare quality assurance managers monitor patient care, coordinate quality assurance processes and study metrics to reveal areas of improvement.
Median annual income: $110,600
11. Clinic manager
Clinic managers supervise day-to-day logistics and team oversight to establish a thriving environment for treatment and care in smaller specialized medical facilities.
Median annual income: $129,000
12. Healthcare consultant
Healthcare consultants advise on multiple aspects of healthcare operations, including tech, compliance, patient care, operations, and business development.
Median annual income: $111,100
13. Healthcare policy analyst
A healthcare policy analyst researches the impact of policies on systems, patient care and public health and provides ongoing recommendations for improvements.
Median annual income:
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $89,570
- Outpatient care centers: $99,280
- Physicians’ offices: $81,890
- Home health care services: $75,910
- Nursing care facilities: $85,160
14. Nursing home administrator
Nursing home administrators work with long-term care facility executive teams to drive efficiency, compliance and resident well-being.
Median annual income: $91,320
15. Health information manager
A health information manager supervises the collection, organization, use and security of healthcare data used by practitioners, patients, insurers and healthcare managers.
Median annual income:
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $97,090
- Outpatient care centers: $102,760
- Physicians’ offices: $94,110
- Home health care services: $130,570
How will a healthcare MBA from Case Western Reserve University prepare you for these careers?
Typical MBA programs educate students in business fundamentals across disciplines. Students dig deep into the central issues surrounding management and leadership, quantitative reasoning, finance, accounting, operations, marketing, business communications, economics and business analytics, and they emerge with the skills required to lead organizations.
An online MBA in healthcare management from CWRU accomplishes all of these objectives within the context of the healthcare industry. We know healthcare managers face unique and complex challenges, and it’s important to prepare for this specific type of business.
The 48-credit hour online MBA in Healthcare Management enables students to earn this valuable credential while continuing to work. Students attend live, virtual, classes from any location, and asynchronous course content provides additional flexibility for students. Aside from two in-person residencies—during which students gain hands-on experience at top Cleveland hospitals—the program is completely remote.
Interested in advancing your career in healthcare? Reach out to an admissions counselor to discuss tuition assistance opportunities, the online learning experience, and our admissions requirements.