Sector Growth
The health care sector is a large component of the US economy. Expenditures on health care account for a growing share (almost 14%) of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Currently 1 in 6 new jobs in the American economy is in the health care sector. While the majority of these new jobs are for actual care givers, an ever-increasing share of these jobs are going to health services managers. In 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow much faster than average (increase 23%) with an average salary of more than $88,000 annually. Given an aging population, as well as population increases from immigration, there is no reason to believe there will be a reversal in these trends.

Opportunities for managers will be related to the areas of growth in the industry. Job growth is forecasted to be particularly good in home healthcare, long-term care, managed care organizations, and consulting firms. The BLS reported that in the year 2012 medical and health services managers accounted for 315,500 jobs and will add 73,300 jobs by 2022.  In Georgia’s “Hot Careers to 2020”, prepared by the Georgia Department of Labor, the health services sub-sector is projected to grow by 120,000 jobs and employ nearly 540,000 personnel by 2020.

Job Settings
Health services managers can work in organizations where either health care is delivered or organizations that support the delivery of health care.  Health services managers can expect to hold positions such as supervisor, clinic or program coordinator, and department manager in larger organizations, or managing directors of smaller organizations. The potential for job advancement is great because many health care organizations are large, with multiple levels of management responsibility through the chain of command. Some examples of the settings where graduates work are:

  • Hospitals and hospital systems
  • Physician practices and clinics
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Hospices
  • Community health centers                                                                 
  • Managed care organizations
  • Health Science centers
  • Medical supply/equipment manufacturers
  • Pharmaceutical firm
  • Biotechnology companies
  • Consulting firms
  • Local/State/Federal health Agencies
  • Health insurance companies
Career Information
Explore the field of health services management by visiting the following sources. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for Medical and Health Services Managers