In today's medically advanced society, degrees in the healthcare industry are becoming more desirable and available. While some degrees in this ever changing field are rather high paying, most come with mediocre salaries. For those students wanting to pursue a degree in the healthcare industry while at the same time hoping to maintain a higher paying salary, a healthcare administration degree is a viable choice. A healthcare administration degree not only offers various employment opportunities, but it also comes with a wide salary range. If one is willing to obtain the education and training needed, students could see potential salaries as high as $120,000 a year.
The Career Choices are Numerous
There are many educational and employment levels offered with a healthcare administration degree. The most popular employment sought with this degree is that of a hospital administrator. The education needed for such a position is at minimum a bachelor's in healthcare administration. According to payscale.com, a bachelor's degree in this field will earn an entry level student about $45,000 a year. While that may still seem mediocre to some, depending on the position and title, the salary of an employee with this degree could range anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000 per year.
Deciding if the Long Road is Right for You
Many students today view the healthcare industry as one of the most competitive and innovative work forces out there; however, a lot of students have no desire to go to school for over eight years in order to become doctors or nurses. Obtaining an associate's degree in healthcare administration is a way for many students interested in the medical field to still be able to work in it without going through years of schooling and training. It may be surprising to learn that the average entry level salary for an associate's degree in the field is similar to that of one with a bachelor's degree at around $40,000 a year. While a simple associate's degree will not obtain the title or end salary of someone with a bachelor's degree, the salary is competitive enough for folks to try out the degree before spending the extra time and money to obtain a bachelor's degree.
The Benefits of Obtaining a Master's Degree
For those wanting to go the extra mile, a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration comes with a starting salary on average of $60,000 a year. The master's degree can be earned online through various accredited colleges, including the University of Maryland and the Valparaiso University. For those students who already have a bachelor's degree and are currently working in the field, the opportunity to obtain a 2 year master's degree online is both viable and convenient.
To Sum it Up
In today's economy, picking a degree that is both interesting and comes with a high salary is not always easy. For those wishing to enter the healthcare industry, degrees in healthcare administration are smart choices. They provide a variety of employment opportunities from nursing home administrator to radiologist director. No matter the specific path they go down, students with this degree are sure to find a place in the healthcare industry to meet their needs.