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Healthcare career
Medical and Health Services Manager
Also called: Healthcare Administrator · Practice Manager · Hospital Administrator · Clinical Manager
What medical and health services managers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a medical and health services manager do?
Medical and health services managers plan, direct and coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, physician practices and public health agencies. The median pay is $123,860 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–6 years plus experience, and employment is projected to grow +24.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$123,860$59.55/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+24.2%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year62,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4–6 years plus experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs640,400Employment, 2025
What medical and health services managers do
Health services managers keep the business of care running. They manage budgets and staffing, oversee billing and records, keep facilities in compliance with laws and accreditation standards, improve quality and patient experience, and work with physicians, nurses and executives on strategy. Some run a whole facility; others run a department such as nursing, therapy, surgery or medical records.
Most have a bachelor’s degree in health administration, business or a clinical field plus a few years of experience; many earn a master’s degree (MHA or MBA). BLS projects employment to grow much faster than average as the population ages and care shifts to clinics and outpatient centers.
Typical duties
- Manage department or facility budgets
- Hire, schedule and supervise staff
- Keep the organization compliant with regulations
- Improve quality, safety and patient experience
- Oversee billing, coding and records
- Analyze performance data
- Work with physicians and executives on plans
Work environment and schedule
Managers work in offices inside hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and health systems, with time on patient units and in meetings.
Schedule: Most work full-time, and many work evenings or weekends when issues come up, since healthcare runs around the clock.
A day in the life
- Review overnight census and staffing gaps.
- Lead a huddle with department supervisors.
- Meet finance about the quarterly budget.
- Review patient satisfaction scores and complaints.
See a full day in the life of a medical and health services manager →
Medical and Health Services Manager salary
Half of medical and health services managers earned more than $123,860 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $73,390 for the lowest 10% to $224,340 for the top 10%.
Full medical and health services manager pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a medical and health services manager
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Get healthcare experience
- Consider a master’s
- Take on management
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree in health administration, business or a clinical field is typical, plus experience. Many employers prefer a master’s degree such as an MHA, MBA or MPH.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a medical and health services manager →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Healthcare finance
- Regulatory compliance
- Staffing and scheduling
- Quality improvement
- Health information systems
People skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Decision making
- Problem solving
All medical and health services manager skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Much faster-than-average growth
- High pay
- Improve care for many patients
- Many settings and specialties
Cons
- Heavy responsibility and pressure
- Complex regulations
- Long hours at times
- Balancing budgets with care needs
Certifications and licenses
- Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE): Leadership credential.
- Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE): For practice managers.
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ): Quality credential.
- Nursing home administrator license: Required to run a nursing home in every state.
Career path
- Department Supervisor: Lead a team.
- Practice or Department Manager: Run a unit.
- Director: Oversee service lines.
- Administrator or Executive: Lead a facility.
Learn the job before day one
Our Medical and Health Services Manager training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build a department budget and prepare for an accreditation survey, safety and how to land your first job.
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Medical and Health Services Manager FAQ
Do health services managers need a master’s?
Not always, but many employers prefer an MHA, MBA or MPH.
Is the field growing?
Yes, BLS projects much faster than average growth.
Do you need clinical experience?
It helps, especially for clinical departments, but it isn’t always required.
How much does a medical and health services manager make?
The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $123,860 ($59.55 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $73,390 and the highest 10% earned more than $224,340.
How long does it take to become a medical and health services manager?
Most people need about 4–6 years plus experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in health administration, business or a clinical field is typical, plus experience. Many employers prefer a master’s degree such as an MHA, MBA or MPH.
Do you need a degree to be a medical and health services manager?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More medical and health services manager questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-9111 (Medical and health services managers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Medical and health services managers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.