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What is a health care administrator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Bill McGinley
introduction image

Healthcare administrators play a vital role in ensuring that people have access to the medical services they need. These services are important for promoting and maintaining health while preventing and managing the disease. Healthcare administrators are the ones in charge of planning, directing, and coordinating health services. They can work in various facilities, including nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, private practices, schools, and more.

Healthcare administrators can perform a variety of tasks based on the size and type of facility available where they work. Some of their duties may include recruiting and training staff members, financial management of patient fees and billing, and work schedule creation.

These managers typically do not deal directly with patients on a day-to-day basis. Instead, they help to shape policy to ensure that health services are being delivered efficiently. The skills that healthcare administrators need to be successful include communication and planning abilities. They also need a thorough knowledge of patient care, business administration and operations, and quality assurance.

To become a healthcare administrator, you'll need at least a Bachelor's degree. However, many employers prefer that candidates hold degrees such as Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Master of Public Health (MPH).

What general advice would you give to a Health Care Administrator?

Bill McGinleyBill McGinley LinkedIn Profile

President & CEO, American College of Health Care Administrators

LTC administrators should have at least a bachelor's degree in business or a healthcare-related field. A well-rounded internship that exposes the future administrator to all aspects of the operation is essential. Needed skills include business, marketing, finance, operations, management and leadership.
Post pandemic opportunities will be nationwide in this field with a greater need in rural areas.
Technology will continue to play a big role in the field. Computerized medical records, census management, and all clinical areas will continue to dominate. Online meetings are liable to continue as well, as employers realize that there is a savings to be gained by not having people travel to meetings and conferences.
ScoreHealth Care AdministratorUS Average
Salary
5.3

Avg. Salary $68,187

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
4.8

Growth Rate 11%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.25%

Asian 8.52%

Black or African American 8.81%

Hispanic or Latino 17.09%

Unknown 4.19%

White 60.14%

Gender

female 75.70%

male 24.30%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress Level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.0

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
8.6

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Health Care Administrator career paths

Key steps to become a health care administrator

  1. Explore health care administrator education requirements

    Most common health care administrator degrees

    Bachelor's

    38.7 %

    Associate

    22.1 %

    High School Diploma

    12.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific health care administrator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients26.26%
    Patient Care8.53%
    Health Care Services6.37%
    Home Health6.04%
    Mental Health5.66%
  3. Complete relevant health care administrator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New health care administrators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a health care administrator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real health care administrator resumes.
  4. Research health care administrator duties and responsibilities

    • Research and resolve recipients complaints relate to Medicaid service limitations, accessibility of MediPass manage services and provider treatment of recipients.
    • Interview prospective adopters and communicate the pet's needs.
    • Design training for EMR implementation for staff and medical providers.
    • Oversee pet care technician staff and report issues to management.
  5. Prepare your health care administrator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your health care administrator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a health care administrator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Health Care Administrator Resume templates

    Build a professional Health Care Administrator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Health Care Administrator resume.
    Health Care Administrator Resume
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    Health Care Administrator Resume
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    Health Care Administrator Resume
    Health Care Administrator Resume
    Health Care Administrator Resume
    Health Care Administrator Resume
  6. Apply for health care administrator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a health care administrator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Health Care Administrator Job

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Average health care administrator salary

The average Health Care Administrator salary in the United States is $68,187 per year or $33 per hour. Health care administrator salaries range between $48,000 and $95,000 per year.

Average Health Care Administrator Salary
$68,187 Yearly
$32.78 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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