Employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow 16 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than the average for all occupations. The health care industry will continue to expand and diversify, requiring managers to help ensure smooth business operations.

Managers in all settings will be needed to improve quality and efficiency of health care while controlling costs, as insurance companies and medicare demand higher levels of accountability. managers also will be needed to oversee the computerization of patient records and to ensure their security as required by law. Additional demand for managers will stem from the need to recruit workers and increase employee retention, to comply with changing regulations, to implement new technology, and to help improve the health of their communities by emphasizing preventive care.

Earnings

  • Nationally median annual earnings of wage and salary medical and health services managers were $73,340 in May 2006.

  • The middle 50 percent earned between $57,240 and $94,780.

  • The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $127,830.

Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and health services managers in May 2006 were:

General medical and surgical hospitals $78,660
Outpatient care centers 67,920
Offices of physicians 67,540
Nursing care facilities 66,730
Home health care services 66,720

The US Dept. of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the number of medical and health services managers employed in Montana is 550. The need for medical and health services managers is predicted to increase to 807 by 2014. The current mean annual salary is $66,944.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics