Career Spotlight: Hospital Administrator
What Is a Hospital Administrator?
When you think of a hospital, you might think of white coats, beeping monitors, and nurses rushing to care for patients. But beyond exam and operating rooms, there are professionals who make sure the complex health care facility keeps running smoothly. These specialists are hospital administrators.
Hospital administrators facilitate the smooth operation of each part of the hospital. They balance budgets, coordinate departments, support staff, and ensure that patients receive the highest quality care possible.
If you have an interest in health care but aren’t interested in direct patient interaction, consider exploring a career as a hospital administrator helping shape the patient experience.
What Does a Hospital Administrator Do?
Professionals in hospital management need to have knowledge and skills in both business and health care. They assume broad roles overseeing the functions of a hospital, but sometimes hospital administrators also specialize in specific areas like patient advocacy, health informatics, or human resources. Generally, these administrators carry out the following tasks and duties:
- Planning and managing hospital resources and finances
- Overseeing hiring and firing
- Managing staff needs, including work schedules
- Collecting and analyzing patient data to improve and enhance patient care
- Creating goals for hospital development and improvement
- Communicating goals and needs to managers, investors, and boards of directors
- Staying up to date on medical advances and health and safety regulations
- Planning new projects and leading initiatives for better hospital performance
How Much Can You Make as a Hospital Administrator?
Health care administration salaries are competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical and health services managers, a designation that includes hospital administrators, was $117,960 as of May 2024. Professionals who work in state, local, and private hospitals can see those wages increase to $130,690.
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 29% from 2023 to 2033, which is 625% faster than the 4% average growth rate of all occupations combined. This could be due, in part, to the need for workers to care for the aging population or to replacing workers leaving or changing positions.
Start Your Career in Health Care Administration with Excelsior
The first and biggest step in pursuing a career in health care administration is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Excelsior University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management program provides students with a solid understanding of the clinical environment. Students gain expertise in business areas such as budgeting, human resources, and project management; they also learn to use electronic health records and performance metrics to improve patient care and operational efficiency. In addition, the degree emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, and professional communication, which are key skills in managing staff and collaborating with stakeholders.
To further your educational development and improve your career prospects, you may also consider pursuing a master’s in health care administration. In a master’s program, students can focus and expand on leadership and talent management.
Hospital administrators help create an environment where medical professionals can provide the highest quality of care and where patients can feel safe and supported. If you’re passionate about health care but prefer a focus on management, organization, and strategic planning, a career in hospital administration offers a meaningful path with real impact. With a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Excelsior University, you can step into this dynamic field and help shape the future of health care.
