What Can I Do With a Health Care Management Degree

Students who are interested in pursuing careers in health care often want to know what they can do with management degrees. There are numerous possibilities, from managing small, rural physicians’ offices to performing valuable administrative tasks in major metropolitan health networks.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management program at App State Online focuses on developing bold, innovative leaders who thrive in the evolving medical field. By combining foundational business knowledge with an in-depth look at the health care industry, the program serves as a keystone for several exciting careers.

What Is a Health Care Management Degree?

Health care management is defined as the management or administration of a health care department, facility, or network. Several types of health care managers exist, and while their roles and responsibilities vary, they all bear responsibility for maintaining their employers’ day-to-day operations.

A health care management degree combines the fundamentals of business practice with in-depth knowledge of the health care system. Business-related courses cover business and economic statistics, principles of microeconomics, and professional development. Health care courses cover managing health care organizations, health services financial management, and health law and policy.

Overview of Health Care Management Careers

Prospective students who wonder, “What can I do with a health care management degree?” are often pleasantly surprised by the number of opportunities available after graduation. Below are some of the most common career options.

Social services directors create and manage programs or organizations designed to improve public health and well-being. Most work for nonprofit organizations or government agencies, and they spend much of their time organizing and attending community events.

Their most important tasks include offering emotional support to patients and families, particularly patients who have been victims of abuse; providing group counseling sessions designed to help clients overcome addiction; and creating referrals for clients.

2. Assisted Living Director

Assisted living directors are responsible for the day-to-day operation of facilities that provide assistance to individuals with disabilities, allowing them to live as independently as possible. Their responsibilities include budgeting; interacting with residents and families; accepting new residents; assisting with the acquisition and use of health care plans; and approving resident transfers to and from their homes, nursing homes or hospitals.

3. Health Information Manager

Health information managers’ primary function is to keep accurate and up-to-date patient records. They must follow strict legal and ethical guidelines as they perform their tasks, which include facilitating the transfer of health care data between providers and creating new systems for managing health data.

4. Medical Records Manager

Medical records managers also work very closely with health-related data, but the role primarily involves ensuring compliance with the laws that govern electronic health records (EHRs). These individuals supervise health care providers in facilities or departments to ensure that they’re following the proper laws, ethics, and guidelines.

They may also work independently or for advisory agencies to help organizations develop and implement data storage processes that comply with current statutes.

5. Hospital Manager

Hospital managers oversee the delivery of medical services in hospitals by guiding and supervising staff. These individuals work with the clinical and administrative staff in hospitals, gathering the information required to accurately budget, handle staffing concerns, or allocate resources. They may also participate in community outreach programs designed to improve the way their hospitals deliver health care services.

Hospital managers may also be responsible for improving health care delivery in ways that reduce overall costs while improving patient outcomes.

6. Health Care Project Manager

Health care project managers develop, execute and oversee specific projects, such as establishing a new department or developing patient satisfaction programs. Their tasks consist of project-specific budgeting, resource allocation, staff recruitment and equipment purchases.

Ultimately, these managers ensure that facilities achieve their goals within budgets and timelines. This improves revenue, reduces overhead costs and improves patient satisfaction.

Health Care Management Career Outlook and Salaries

Employment in key health and human services roles is projected to grow rapidly in the coming decade, driven by rising demand for care, stricter regulations and expanding community needs. Consider the data from some broad categories in the field.

Medical and Health Services Management

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 23% increase in employment of medical and health services managers, which includes hospital managers and assisted living directors, between 2024 and 2034, nearly eight times faster than the labor market as a whole. Rising demand for health-related services will propel these careers forward.

The median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $117,960 in 2024, according to the BLS, with the top 10% earning more than $219,080.

Medical Records Management

The BLS projects a 7% increase in employment of medical records specialists, which includes health information managers and medical records managers, between 2024 and 2034. Increasingly strict regulations that govern the collection, storage and transfer of EHRs will drive growth.

Medical records specialists made a median annual salary of $50,250 in 2024, according to the BLS, with the top 10% making more than $80,950.

The BLS projects a 6% increase in employment of social and community service managers. The growing number of older adults coupled with people seeking treatment for addiction and a wider focus on the prevention of preventable disease will drive growth.

Social and community service managers made a median annual salary of approximately $78,240 in 2024, according to the BLS, with those working in local governments making a median of $101,620. The top 10% made over $129,000.

Project Management

Finally, the BLS projects a 6% increase in employment of project management specialists, which includes health care project managers. As more hospitals and medical facilities look for new ways to improve quality of care while reducing overall costs, they’ll rely on these individuals to ensure that projects meet their time and budget goals.

The BLS reports that project management specialists made a median annual salary of $100,750 in 2024, with the top 10% making more than $165,790. Finance and insurance were cited as the highest-paying sectors.

How to Advance Your Health Care Management Career

Advancing in health care management requires a combination of education, professional development and hands‑on experience.

Earn Industry‑Recognized Certifications

Professional certifications demonstrate advanced knowledge and a commitment to ongoing learning, two qualities that employers value in health care leaders. Certifications can also help managers specialize in areas such as compliance, informatics, quality improvement and patient safety.

Common certifications include:

Certified Medical Manager (CMM): Focuses on practice management, financial oversight and regulatory compliance
Certified Professional in Health Care Quality (CPHQ): Ideal for those interested in quality improvement and patient safety
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA): Designed for professionals managing health information systems and overseeing data governance
Project Management Professional (PMP): Valuable for managers overseeing large‑scale initiatives or organizational change

These credentials can help professionals stand out in competitive hiring environments and qualify for higher‑level administrative roles.

Develop High‑Demand Leadership and Management Skills

Health care managers must navigate complex systems, coordinate diverse teams and make decisions that affect patient outcomes. Strengthening leadership and administrative skills promotes long‑term career growth.

Key skills employers look for include:

Communication and interpersonal skills: Essential for working with clinicians, staff, patients and community partners
Strategic planning: Helps managers align departmental goals with organizational priorities
Financial literacy: Supports budgeting, forecasting and resource allocation
Problem‑solving and critical thinking: Enables leaders to respond effectively to operational challenges
Adaptability: Important in a field shaped by rapid regulatory, technological and demographic changes
Data literacy: Increasingly important as health care organizations rely on analytics to improve performance and patient outcomes

Professionals can build these skills through workshops, continuing education courses, mentorship or on‑the‑job leadership opportunities.

Gain Experience Across Multiple Health Care Settings

Career advancement often comes from broad exposure to different areas of health care. Managers who understand how various departments operate — such as finance, patient services, compliance or health information management — are better prepared for senior leadership roles.

Ways to expand experience include:

Taking on cross‑departmental projects
Volunteering for committees or task forces
Shadowing leaders in other departments
Pursuing rotational leadership programs

This type of experience helps professionals develop a more holistic understanding of health care operations.

Pursue Graduate Education

While not required for every role, a master’s degree can significantly enhance career prospects. Many professionals pursue degrees such as a Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), or Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a health care concentration.

Graduate education can help professionals qualify for executive-level positions, including director and vice president, as well as C-suite roles.

Explore Education Options for a Health Care Management Career

Aspiring students who ask themselves, “What can I do with a health care management degree?” will find that numerous opportunities are available after graduation. From overseeing a team of people who process medical records to managing an entire hospital’s operations, career choices abound to suit your skills and knowledge.

App State Online’s Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management degree program prepares students to take on managerial roles in a wide range of health settings. By combining time-tested business management knowledge with a solid foundation in health care settings, this degree program is the first step toward a fulfilling lifelong career. Learn how you can make a difference with our health care management degree.

Recommended Readings

Health Care Management Technology: Tools and Tips

How Dr. Eberly Prepares Students for Careers in Health Care Management

Understanding Rural Health Disparities and How To Combat Them

Sources:

Indeed, “8 Healthcare Management Certifications”

Indeed, “12 Healthcare Management Jobs To Consider”

Indeed, “What Is Healthcare Management?”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Records Specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Project Management Specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers