5 Reasons to Consider Health Administration Careers (2024)

Finding a Job with Purpose: 5 Reasons to Consider Health Administration Careers

Health care industry buzz has centered around growth for years. But what does growth mean beyond the need for more doctors, nurses and hands-on health care practitioners?

Health care is already a complex industry. And as the demand for health care grows, so will the need for effective managers who can lead organizations through the complexity and challenges of change. This means there is a way for individuals of all backgrounds — those with medical experience and those without — to join the next generation of health care problem solvers and reap the rewards of a growing sector of the economy.

The lesser-known benefits of health administration careers

You don’t have to be a doctor or nurse to have a positive impact on patients. Individuals who work behind the scenes in administrative roles also play a pivotal role in how effective health care organizations are in providing quality care.

Health administration careers offer a wide range of benefits — benefits that come from doing work that makes a difference. Read on for a look at how earning your bachelor’s degree in health administration can pave the way for both professional success and personal satisfaction.

You’ll be exposed to a variety of options in your career path

Health care is a dynamic industry with countless areas of specialization, from clinical leadership to quality control to health information management. Choosing to follow a health administration career path means you’ll have an open road ahead, where you can let your individual strengths or personal interests guide your way.

Plus, in this ever-evolving industry, you’ll always be exposed to new innovations that keep your career fresh and exciting. As new technology, treatments and economic factors enter and influence the health care marketplace, you’ll be able to continually look at your role from a new perspective.

You’ll enjoy competitive compensation — even in entry-level health administrator jobs

According toPayscale salary reports (updated in June 2021), health administrators earn an average annual salary of just over $70,000. Entry-level health administrators with less than one year of experience earn an average total compensation of just under $58,000.*

As with most careers, your location, years of experience and level of education will likely influence your earning potential in the health care industry, but you’ll be able to get your start in an industry that rewards experience and leadership.

You’ll be exposed to leadership opportunities and growth potential

Having an education that gets your foot in the door to entry-level health administration jobs can lead to big rewards later on. In these roles, employers are looking for baseline administration skills that are founded in knowledge of the health care industry. More and more, however, they are also prioritizing the soft skills demonstrated by leaders and managers.

If you can equip yourself with and demonstrate an aptitude for in-demand skills like critical thinking, problem solving, team leadership and motivation, then you can open the door to a wide range of growth opportunities in a variety of health care settings.

You’ll be involved in work that positively impacts individual lives and industry challenges

As a health administrator, you may not always be hands-on with patients, but you will be helping to support or lead the individuals who are. As such, your work makes a real difference in improving patient outcomes.

You could be responsible for managing health information and ensuring patients are moved through the care process efficiently. You could be part of the team that gathers clinical records for research and analysis to identify gaps or obstacles in quality care. You may even help ensure health care staff is in place to meet the growing demand for care in your facility. No matter what position you hold, your impact in health administration is felt by patients receiving care.

You’ll be able to pursue a role that suits your personality

Health care careers often come with an assumption of people skills — the desire to work directly with patients. This, however, is just one personality type that can find a fitting position in health care. There are roles that fit a variety of individuals with unique strengths outside of patient care.

You may have a strength in data analysis that would equip you for a role in health informatics. You may be a financial wizard whose skills would be put to use in managing health care provider payments and billing. Perhaps you are a creative person with a talent for health care marketing. The opportunities go on and on — and they all start with a foundation in health administration.

Pursue an education that gives you pride and purpose

As you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different career paths, consider which major will give you a favorable return on your investment of time, energy and finances. Health care administration careers could provide the long-term benefits you’re looking for.

At Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, our career-focused,online Bachelor of Science in Health Administrationprogram gives students who are just entering college and working professionals the education they need to succeed in a growing industry. Curious to learn more?Request information today to see what opportunities are available for you.

^*Salary information comes from Payscale.com (updated June 2021). Annual compensation data includes tips, bonuses and overtime pay when applicable.