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Job outlook for health services managers in the United States
Health services manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected health services manager job growth rate is 28% from 2018-2028.
About 136,200 new jobs for health services managers are projected over the next decade.
Health services manager salaries have increased 8% for health services managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 10,533 health services managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 162,609 active health services manager job openings in the US.
The average health services manager salary is $84,568.
Are health services manager jobs in demand?
Health services manager job and salary trends over time
Health services manager jobs over time
Health services manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,533 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 9,707 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 9,523 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,987 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,367 | 0.00% |
Average health services manager salary over time
Health services manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,568 | $40.66 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $81,892 | $39.37 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $80,878 | $38.88 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $79,759 | $38.35 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $78,291 | $37.64 | +2.2% |
Health services manager jobs by state
Most common states for health services managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 587 | 85% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,160 | 39% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,096 | 35% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,352 | 32% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 325 | 31% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,959 | 29% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,792 | 27% |
| 8 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 467 | 27% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 365 | 27% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,560 | 26% |
| 11 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 768 | 26% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 251 | 26% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 150 | 26% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,139 | 25% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,465 | 24% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,348 | 24% |
| 17 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,193 | 24% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 702 | 24% |
| 19 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,425 | 23% |
| 20 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 698 | 23% |
Most common cities for health services managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | 1 | 4% | $83,148 |
| 2 | Hartford | 2 | 2% | $97,063 |
| 3 | DeKalb | 1 | 2% | $79,922 |
| 4 | Buena Park | 1 | 1% | $86,182 |
| 5 | Carmel | 1 | 1% | $73,023 |
| 6 | Elizabeth | 1 | 1% | $94,248 |
| 7 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $95,291 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $86,567 |
| 9 | Detroit | 2 | 0% | $78,883 |
| 10 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $83,548 |
| 11 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $96,491 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $94,871 |
| 13 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $80,420 |
| 14 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $73,280 |
Health Services Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of health services manager experts
Davenport University
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
Molloy College
Indiana University Northwest
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of New Haven
Central Michigan University
College of Charleston
Southern Oregon University
Cedar Crest College
What general advice would you give to a Health Services Manager?
Dr. Linda Sorensen RHIA, CHPS: *Before negotiating salary, it's crucial to research trends and benchmarks in your geographic area and be prepared to confidently articulate your value to the organization. Make sure to emphasize any relevant education, certifications, or credentials obtained up to this point in your journey. Certifications or credentials can enhance your value to employers and help justify a higher salary. Look to gain experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities. During your interview emphasize relevant achievements, projects, or leadership experiences and demonstrate how they can contribute to the organization's success. In order to stay competitive, continuously seek opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge and keep abreast of industry trends. You may also want to consider specialized areas in which you could pursue additional education or certifications. And don't forget to consider other perks and benefits offered by the employer as they can add significant value to the overall compensation package.*
*By implementing these strategies, a new graduate can position themselves for success and maximize their salary potential when starting a career in the health services administration field.*
What Health Services Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Linda Sorensen RHIA, CHPS: *With the growing emphasis on technology (including telehealth and artificial intelligence) and data-driven decision making, it is increasingly important to know how to maneuver these to optimize patient access, experiences, and quality, while at the same time maintaining privacy and security. There is a growing focus on population health and health services administrators will need to develop strategies in this area in order to identify at-risk populations, implement interventions, and coordinate care. Interprofessional collaboration will be more important than ever, especially when it comes to addressing health disparities and promoting health equity. Lastly, healthcare regulations and compliance requirements will continue to evolve, forcing healthcare administrators to be well-versed in new and updated regulatory changes to ensure compliance and mitigate legal and financial risks.*
*By developing these skills and staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies, health services administrators can position themselves for success in the evolving healthcare landscape.*
What will help Health Services Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Linda Sorensen RHIA, CHPS: *Building professional relationships is crucial. You should network with peers, mentors, and industry professionals as well as join professional organizations, attend networking events, and connect on professional platforms. Seek mentorship from experienced professionals in your field who can provide valuable advice and career guidance. Don't discount entry-level positions or positions in different areas (such as finance or strategic planning) as they can provide valuable experiences to build upon. Healthcare is a dynamic and challenging field. Stay updated and attend professional development events. Use your critical thinking skills to problem-solve and be adaptable. Hone in on your verbal and written communication skills to be able to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders (including patients and families).*
*Remember the ultimate goal of healthcare administration is to improve patient outcomes, so prioritize patients in your decision-making processes. It is important to uphold ethical standards and demonstrate positive leadership qualities. Most importantly, stay resilient. Your role can be stressful and demanding, so it's important to prioritize, set goals, and seek help when needed.*
*By following these pieces of advice, the new graduate can lay a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling career in Health Services Administration.*
Dawn Riess Ph.D., RN, ACUE
Assistant ProfessorTexas A&M University - Central Texas
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What will help Health Services Managers increase their earning potential?
Dawn Riess Ph.D., RN, ACUE: The nursing shortage is an ongoing issue. As the number of nurses decreases, the pay scale increases. Having a varied background in nursing care makes you more marketable. Know your worth by researching what nurses make in different fields and then voice your pay expectations. Advancement is possible in many areas of nursing care. The hospital setting is usually the highest paying employer, as that is where a large percentage of nurses are needed. Having a minimum of a bachelor's degree is required for ongoing advancement. Choosing a specialty (ICU, OR, ED, Cath lab, etc.) area in nursing will also increase your salary potential. Taking advantage of any certifications will also increase your salary and marketability.
What Health Services Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
M. Paige Powell PhD, MHA: There are several things that I tell students and new graduates embarking on their career. The first is to find an organization where your values are aligned with their mission, vision, and values. Health administration is ultimately about caring for people and staff. Also, be open to different experiences and learning new things while on the job; ask for additional projects if time allows. A career in health administration isn't a typical 9-5 job and the more experience you have with different aspects of health care, then the more value you will bring to your organization. Make yourself indispensable to your organization by being inquisitive, proactive, and thorough.
What general advice would you give to a Health Services Manager?
M. Paige Powell PhD, MHA: I think that data analytics and visualization will become more important in the next few years. Being able to tell a story with data is helpful for performance and quality improvement. I also think that a deeper understanding of social determinants of health and health equity is needed because medical care accounts for such a small contribution to our overall health.
What will help Health Services Managers increase their earning potential?
M. Paige Powell PhD, MHA: Gaining as much experience as possible while in school can help to maximize salaries. This could be through patient-facing jobs, internships, case competitions, or volunteering. Take on leadership roles within your program or extracurricular organizations. Some organizations are open to negotiating starting salaries, so know the cost of living in the relevant geographic area, the marketability of the skills in the job you are seeking, and what value you can provide to the organization.
Rose Schecter PhD, RN
Associate Dean: Undergraduate Nursing & Nursing Administrative AffairsMolloy College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Health Services Manager?
Rose Schecter PhD, RN: New graduates should be open to the opportunities that present that are sought after AND those that just present themselves. Graduates should welcome offers of interviews in areas of nursing that perhaps were not first choices. New graduates should take part in continuing education courses if available to increase their skill set even before starting their first professional job. For example EKG testing and phlebotomy are skills one can learn prior to first positions. They will enhance the new graduate's resume.
Pawn Johnson-Hunter MS, RN, AGPCNP-BC, GERO- BC, CM/DN
Nurse Educator, Nclex Mentor/CoachWhat general advice would you give to a Health Services Manager?
Pawn Johnson-Hunter MS, RN, AGPCNP-BC, GERO- BC, CM/DN: A few ways to maximize earning potential as a new graduate nurse is through skillful negotiations and previous experience in healthcare, such as degree level, nurse externships, phlebotomy skills, or certifications. Many, if not all, employers appreciate that new graduates are equipped with clinical skills that are strongly recommended for the practice area. While many nurse certifications require experience, some are for entry-level, such as advanced life support (ACLS and PALS) and IV insertion. There are also some specialty practice certifications that new grads can obtain without years of experience; although they may recommend the experience at times, this is optional. All of this demonstrates the applicant's commitment to the profession and interest. Other ways are to work overtime hours, learn about clinical career ladders, or continue formal education.
Linda Galocy
Director and Assistant Dean, Clinical Associate ProfessorIndiana University Northwest
Health Information Management Programs
What skills stand out on Health Services Manager resumes?
Linda Galocy: Revenue Cycle Management, Data Analytics, Information Governance, Privacy and Security of health information.
What soft skills should all Health Services Managers possess?
Linda Galocy: Writing skills, communication, organization, the ability to multi-task, critical thinking skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Health Services Managers?
Linda Galocy: Technical skills are dependent on the job, but working with multiple types of software at one time is very common in the health information profession. Patient records are electronic. Therefore, the ability to learn and adapt to electronic health record systems is a must. In addition, supportive software is typically used in order to get the work done, such as an encoder, which allows a medical coder to assign codes to a patient record, a release of information system that is utilized for tracking requests for patient records from the time the request is received until it is complete. The ability for
+a health information professional to understand an entire process, such as the revenue cycle. There are many individuals involved in the process of obtaining payment for healthcare services rendered, and it is important for everyone to do their job, do it correctly, and when errors occur, work together to correct those errors.
What skills will help Health Services Managers earn the most?
Linda Galocy: Look for certifications. Health information professionals have two national certifications, the RHIT, and RHIA depending on the level of education that has been completed by a graduate. In addition, there are other certifications that a professional can obtain depending on their area of expertise. A clinical documentation improvement specialist can obtain a CDIP credential through AHIMA or a CCDS credential through ACDIS. AHIMA also provides certification in healthcare privacy and security, the CHPS, HIMSS offers the CAHIMS and CPHIMS credentials for professionals more focused on healthcare information and management of systems.
Jessica Cataldo Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Internship CoordinatorSouthern Illinois University Carbondale
Health Care Management Program
What skills stand out on Health Services Manager resumes?
Jessica Cataldo Ph.D.: Across all groups, communication skills were identified as the most important competency domain to a successful healthcare management career, followed by leadership skills, professionalism, and knowledge of the healthcare environment. Communication skills, such as written and oral communication, relationship management, and facilitation and negotiation, are essential to foster productive interactions with staff and patients and to mobilize action. The COVID pandemic has emphasized the need for communication and leadership skills for health care managers, especially given the rapid change that has occurred since March 2020. Being able to create an organizational climate that can support that level of change management is critically important to continued success.
What soft skills should all Health Services Managers possess?
Jessica Cataldo Ph.D.: Much of health administration requires strong, soft skills, such as communication and leadership; however, technical skills are also important. Financial management, such as budgeting and revenue cycle management, billing/coding; project management; and data analysis skills are important. Additionally, computer skills are critical in today's environment. Medical and administrative software, such as electronic health records, are integral parts of every healthcare organization, and data analysis programs, such as Microsoft Excel or Tableau, are used regularly by administrators. And of course, we cannot overlook the importance of a strong understanding of the healthcare environment, such as an understanding of state and federal regulations.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Services Manager job market given the pandemic?
Robin Kerkstra: Dental healthcare providers are high in demand and short in supply. This trend is expected to continue because of COVID-19. Many dental professionals had to juggle homeschooling and childcare issues and therefore have had to pull out of the job market. The job market was strong before the pandemic and a year later, the job market continues to be exceptionally strong.
What technical skills for a Health Services Manager stand out to employers?
Robin Kerkstra: Technical skills required for employment as a dental assistant will vary from state to state based on the state's dental practice act. Possessing the certifications needed to perform the technical skills allowed by each state is an important aspect to obtaining employment in the dental field. It will be important to be well-versed and up to date on the latest recommendations for dental offices from the CDC and the American Dental Association related to Covid-19. Additional skills such excellent organization, a detail-oriented personality, good dexterity, professional demeanor, strong communication skills, and a compassionate attitude will stand out to employers.
How have salaries changed over time for Health Services Managers?
Robin Kerkstra: Traditionally salaries remain stable in the dental profession. Wages may increase in the future due to the high demand for dental healthcare providers.
Dan J. Vick MD, DHA, MBA
Graduate Teaching Faculty, Accreditation & Capstone Coordinator, Master of Health Administration ProgramCentral Michigan University
School of Health Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Services Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dan J. Vick MD, DHA, MBA: There are a number of trends occurring right now that are driving growth in the healthcare job market, regardless of the pandemic. First, we are seeing a demographic shift as the baby boomers retire and age. In fact, all baby boomers will be eligible for Medicare by 2030. This population will require more healthcare services as they age, including hospital and specialty care, as well as home healthcare. We will also have a need for more long-term care facilities and administrators to help run them.
Second, advances in technology are continuing at a brisk pace. We are seeing continued improvement in diagnostic imaging equipment and robotic surgery instrumentation, as well as the development of new implantable devices for cardiac patients. These are just a few examples. What this means is there will be a need for healthcare providers and support staff who are technologically savvy.
Another technology-dependent area is telehealth. The pandemic has really propelled advances in, and adoption of, telehealth as many people have received care from their providers during the past year via virtual office visits. Telehealth will not go away once the pandemic subsides; it is here to stay. This paradigm shift will create an ongoing need for technically proficient healthcare workers and healthcare administrators to support them.
Finally, there continues to be a shift from inpatient to outpatient care as our healthcare system looks at ways to bend the cost curve for providing care. We are seeing more urgent care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, and walk-in clinics associated with drugstore chains and big-box retailers.
With all of these trends, it comes as no surprise that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting medical and health services managers jobs to grow 32% from 2019 to 2029.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Health Services Managers?
Dan J. Vick MD, DHA, MBA: Having a graduate degree in health administration is a wise choice. A Master of Health Administration program can provide a person with the formal education and tools to obtain entry-level positions in health administration, as well as to enable those who are already in health administration to advance in their career fields. Further, these degrees are increasingly being sought by healthcare providers who want a better understanding of the complexities of the healthcare system in which they work and to help them obtain positions at the administrative and executive level in healthcare organizations.
How have salaries changed over time for Health Services Managers?
Dan J. Vick MD, DHA, MBA: I come from a diverse background of many fields in healthcare. As a physician, I worked as a pathologist in the military and then in private practice. I transitioned to hospital executive roles - chief medical officer and vice president for medical affairs - before entering the academic world as a graduate faculty member a little over a year ago. So, looking at salaries in my various roles would be akin to comparing apples to oranges.
Focusing instead on health administration, which is what I teach now, I can tell you that the annual salary for a health services administrator with a bachelor's degree is $48,753. The annual salary for an administrator with a master's degree is $83,413. Salaries are steadily increasing and will likely continue to do so in the face of demand for these types of positions. This is a good time to work in healthcare!
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Services Managers?
Brian Bossak Ph.D.: I don't believe that there will be a long-term negative impact from the coronavirus pandemic on graduates with a degree in public health. In the short-term, it is true that public budgets are under pressure from the response to, and eventually, the recovery from the pandemic. On the other hand, there have been massive amounts of stimulus funds contributed to public health agencies because of the pandemic and hiring, at least for temporary positions, appears to be more widespread and quicker to process than in normal times. Going forward, I am hopeful that there will be increased investment in the public health and disease prevention sector, which could bode well for future public health graduates.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Health Services Managers?
Brian Bossak Ph.D.: In my opinion, courses, knowledge, and abilities that are associated with the development and use of quantitative skills are in high demand and are likely to remain so. These are the core tools used in public health analyses: epidemiology, statistics, biostatistics, and environmental health. Certification in advanced skills training or ancillary technologies, such as sophisticated statistical modeling or familiarity with mapping technologies such as GIS are likely to be advantageous.
What will help Health Services Managers increase their earning potential?
Brian Bossak Ph.D.: In addition to the aforementioned skills development and technical certification as described, management experience and leadership development is useful in regard to career progression.
Jacqueline Strenio Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorSouthern Oregon University
Economics Affiliated Faculty, Healthcare Administration Affiliated Faculty, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program
What experience really stands out on Health Services Manager resumes?
Jacqueline Strenio Ph.D.: See Question 2.
Wendy Robb Ph.D.
Dean & Professor, School of Nursing, Hazel and Walter May Nursing Endowed Chair for Excellence in NursingCedar Crest College
School of Nursing
What type of skills will young Health Services Managers need?
Wendy Robb Ph.D.: First and foremost, our newest crop of professional nurses will need resiliency - the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties - toughness!! (Oxford dictionary) These nurses will need mental toughness and will be asked to flex further than they've ever flexed before. As health care professionals we need to support their mental health and professional development as new nurses. Encourage meditation, relaxation, exercise, walks in nature, etc. New graduates entering the current healthcare system may be questioning their choice of profession and their decision to become a nurse, particularly with the overlay of politicism with the pandemic. It is our responsibility to help them through and prepare them, equip them for short-term and long-term successes. We don't know exactly how they will fair, but it is our essential duty to nurture them. They will be a special breed, a group of new nurses who entered the profession during a full-blown pandemic in the Year of the Nurse and Midwife (2020). I wonder what Florence Nightingale would think? I am sure she would be proud and expect nothing less than our best!