What Is the Average Salary for a Masters in Health Care Degree?

The job and salary outlook for masters in healthcare is strong, and is expected to grow in both the near and distant future as the health care industry expands. Job opportunities will be excellent, particularly for those that have experience to supplement their graduate level education, as well as strong business management skills.

By 2016, employment of medical and health service managers is expected to grow 16 percent. This is faster than the average for all occupations, and reflects an expansion and diversification of the health care industry. The increase in employment is due to the demand for quality and efficiency in health care that can help control costs and ensure accountability. Additionally, the trend toward computerization of patient records, new technology, and changing regulations contribute to the need for more advanced health care professionals.

Employment for masters in health care is expected to grow fastest in practictioners’ offices and home health care agencies, as services previously and currently provided will move to these settings. At the same time, the number of new jobs in hospitals will decline for the same reason. Additionally, health care managers will find an increase of opportunities with health care management companies that offer services to hospitals including contract negotiations, information management systems, and physician recruiting. Overall, those with a health care masters degree can expect for job prospects to be good, especially professionals with work experience and good management skills.

On average, those with a health care masters degree will earn between $45,000 and $127,000. However, your actual earnings will depend on the setting in which you choose to work as well as the level of responsibility associated with your specific position. Average salaries reported for different health care settings include:

• General medical and surgical hospitals: $78,660
• Outpatient care centers: 67,920
• Offices of physicians: 67,540
• Nursing care facilities: 66,730
• Home health care services: 66,720

Your salary may also depend on the size of the facility you work in, as your level of responsibility will depend on how many physicians and other health care professionals you work to support. These are the salaries for a variety of different sized practices:

• Practices with 6 or fewer physicians: $72,875
• Practices with 7-24 physicians: $95,766
• Practices with 26 or more physicians: $132,955

The job and salary outlook for masters in healthcare is strong, and is expected to grow in both the near and distant future as the health care industry expands. Job opportunities will be excellent, particularly for those that have experience to supplement their graduate level education, as well as strong business management skills.

By 2016, employment of medical and health service managers is expected to grow 16 percent. This is faster than the average for all occupations, and reflects an expansion and diversification of the health care industry. The increase in employment is due to the demand for quality and efficiency in health care that can help control costs and ensure accountability. Additionally, the trend toward computerization of patient records, new technology, and changing regulations contribute to the need for more advanced health care professionals.

Employment for masters in health care is expected to grow fastest in practictioners’ offices and home health care agencies, as services previously and currently provided will move to these settings. At the same time, the number of new jobs in hospitals will decline for the same reason. Additionally, health care managers will find an increase of opportunities with health care management companies that offer services to hospitals including contract negotiations, information management systems, and physician recruiting. Overall, those with a health care masters degree can expect for job prospects to be good, especially professionals with work experience and good management skills.

On average, those with a health care masters degree will earn between $45,000 and $127,000. However, your actual earnings will depend on the setting in which you choose to work as well as the level of responsibility associated with your specific position. Average salaries reported for different health care settings include:

• General medical and surgical hospitals: $78,660
• Outpatient care centers: 67,920
• Offices of physicians: 67,540
• Nursing care facilities: 66,730
• Home health care services: 66,720

Your salary may also depend on the size of the facility you work in, as your level of responsibility will depend on how many physicians and other health care professionals you work to support. These are the salaries for a variety of different sized practices:

• Practices with 6 or fewer physicians: $72,875
• Practices with 7-24 physicians: $95,766
• Practices with 26 or more physicians: $132,955

Additionally, the specialization you work in will affect your salary level, as some areas of medicine offer a higher level of earning. Consider these salaries for office managers in different physician specialities:

• Gastroenterology: $70,474
• Dermatology: $70,599
• Cardiology: $76,392
• Ophthamology: $67,317
• Obstetrics and gynecology: $67,222
• Orthopedics: $77,621
• Pediatrics: $62,125
• Internal medicine: $66,853
• Family practice: $60,040

As you can see, the salary expectation for those with a masters in health care can vary widely depending on important factors including the facility, size, specialization, and level of responsibility. Additional factors will include your area’s cost of living, your experience level, and the skills that you have to offer. However, you can expect for the salary outlook to remain strong, as demand for qualified professionals in advanced health care positions remains high.