MHA – Masters in Health Administration Salary

Did you know that a health administrator with an MHA can make almost double the salary of a health administrator with a bachelor’s degree, depending upon the size and location of the facility?

While median annuals earnings of wage and salary medical and health services managers were $73,340 in May 2006, the highest ten percent earned more than $127,830 per year, according to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hospitals paid the highest salaries, and home health care services offered the lowest salaries at $66,720 median annual salary.

The size of the facility affects the health administrator’s salary as do the level of responsibilities. For example, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) reported that, in 2006, median salaries for administrators were $72,875 in practices with 6 or fewer physicians, $95,766 in practices with 7 to 25 physicians, and $132,955 in practices with 26 or more physicians. This information shows that the more responsibility you’re willing to take on, the more this may reflect in your paycheck.

Specialization also affects salaries, even in health care administration. The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management stated that 2006 average total compensation for office managers in specialty physicians’ practices ranged between $60,000 to $67,000 in family practice, pediatrics and internal medicine, $70,000 to $71,000 in gastroenterology and dermatology and up to $76,000 in cardiology. Health managers and administrators who work in Internet Technology (IT) and other professions outside hospitals may find higher wages than those who are employed in hospital facilities.

But, the above figures may vary depending upon location. If you work in a major metropolitan area like Burlington, Vermont, for instance, you can make an annual mean wage of $123,290 per year; however, if you work in a smaller metropolitan area such as Cheyenne, Wyoming, that annual mean wage may come to only $76,860 per year.

Medical and health administrators are key to the success of any health care facility, and are able to command extremely competitive wages because of this fact.

Top Master of Health Administration Degree Programs

To become a health administrator or manager, a master's degree is usually required. Some of the most popular types of health degrees include the Master of Health Administration (MHA), the Master of Public Health (MPH), and the MBA in healthcare management. Below is a carefully compiled list of accredited institutions offering such programs to help you meet your career goals.

Obtain your Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Students of this accredited degree program learn to critically examine and evaluate issues, and incorporate the latest theories and contemporary practice applications through their studies. Phoenix also offers MHA specializations in gerontology, health education, and health informatics. Click Here
The MBA in healthcare management degree program offered by American InterContinental University is geared toward preparing students for upper managerial positions in hospitals, health insurance providers, consulting firms, care facilities, and more. With AIU's flexible scheduling, students are able to earn this degree in a little as 12 months. Click Here
Kaplan graduates who specialize in a master's degree in Health Care Management can pursue positions in doctors' offices, medical and surgical hospitals, home health care, and outpatient centers. You will receive rigorous online training, including assignments, reports, presentations, and group projects all designed to help you develop the proficiencies you need to find solutions in real-life healthcare situations. Kaplan also offers an MBA in healthcare management as well as a Master of Science in health education. Click Here
The MA in Healthcare Administration degree program from Grand Canyon University is an advanced graduate degree that prepares students for careers as hospital administrators or other types of healthcare managers. Grand Canyon University is a nondenominational Christian university based in Arizona. Click Here
The MS in business administration with a specialization in healthcare from Virginia College is designed for those already working in the healthcare field who desire to advance their career. Focusing on the business side of healthcare, this degree from Virginia College is useful in hundreds of job types throughout hospital and clinic settings. Click Here
Walden's Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program is a graduate-level online track that emphasizes cutting edge technology and techniques. Numerous health careers should be available to graduates of this program, including jobs available in healthcare supplies, health insurance, health policy, and much more. Walden also offers two other similar degrees: the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in health policy. Click Here
The MS in Health Care Administration degree program offered by Capella is taught entirely online, making it possible for students of the program to continue their work in the healthcare field as they earn credits toward their master's degrees. Topics covered by this program include healthcare policy, finance, law, quality improvement, and more. Capella also offers a Master of Public Health degree, with an option to specialize in health management, as well as an MS in gerontology. Click Here
Ashford University has several programs available for health administration, two being an MBA and MA while the last program is a bachelor's degree. These programs are designed for students who want to advance their careers with in the healthcare system and thoroughly explore biostatistics, finance, and strategic planning. Ashford has become a major providers of online education, with programs spanning multiple industries and education levels. Click Here

Find a Health Administration School Near You