Hospital Administrator: Duties, Pay, and How to Become One

Hospital administrators ensure that hospitals operate efficiently and that medical staff are adequately trained and supported. Equipped with a broad range of responsibilities, hospital administrators must be equally well-versed in the fundamentals of healthcare delivery and business management. 

If you’re a practical, project-oriented person looking to start a career in healthcare but prefer a role that doesn’t include face-to-face patient contact, you might consider a career in hospital administration. 

In this article, you’ll learn more about hospital administrators, what they do, how much they earn, and what you need to do to become one. We’ll also offer a suggested course to help you start on the path to this impactful career today. 

What is a hospital administrator?  

A hospital administrator oversees daily operations by planning, directing, and coordinating health services. While other healthcare professionals like physicians and registered nurses (RNs) provide care directly to patients, hospital administrators ensure the health facility functions smoothly and the medical staff is adequately supported and trained. 

Hospital administrator duties 

Hospital administrators are essential in delivering functional health services within a hospital. The exact duties they perform vary between roles. Here are some of the most common duties that you can expect from the job: 

• Directing and supervising the work of medical staff

• Establishing organisational goals

• Planning and implementing programmes, such as human resources (HR) administration

• Overseeing finances and related operations, such as budget planning, authorising expenses, and creating financial reports

• Communicating with staff, departments, and board members

• Hiring and training staff

• Monitoring resource use and allocation

• Ensuring that facilities are up to standard and meet current regulatory requirements

Hospital administrator salary 

According to Indeed, the average base pay for a hospital manager is ₹3,35,252 per year as of June 2024 [1]. The amount you can expect to earn will vary based on your work experience, education level, geographic location, and employer.

Hospital administrator job outlook 

The job outlook for hospital administrators is very positive. 

India is emerging as a major health tourism destination, with more than 200,000 foreigners receiving treatment in private Indian hospitals. Both foreigners and domestic patients expect world-class management and administration. 

The industry already employs about 2 million doctors, nurses, and technicians, and the healthcare sector is seeing a rising demand for more professional health administrators [2].

Related hospital administrator jobs

Various administrative and management positions overlap with the skills and knowledge used in hospital administration. Though the scope of these positions may vary considerably, each supports the health systems, facilities, and healthcare professionals who save lives daily. 

If you’re interested in working in healthcare in an administrative or managerial capacity, consider exploring these similar positions: 

1. Healthcare administrator 

2. Nursing home administrator 

3. Clinical manager

4. Hospital manager

How to become a hospital administrator?

Whether you’re working in a large university hospital or a small local facility, overseeing their daily operations is a heavy responsibility. As a result, the path to joining a hospital's administrative staff is filled with professional training, education, and real-world work experience. 

Here’s what you can expect to do as you set out on your professional journey: 

1. Get qualified. 

One way to become a hospital administrator is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in health administration, a postgraduate diploma (PGD) in hospital and health management, and three to seven years of experience working in a healthcare facility [3]. Due to hospital administrators' financial and business responsibilities, you will also likely benefit from taking relevant business courses to better understand how to manage such a complex healthcare facility as a hospital. 

2. Consider a specialisation.

Hospital administrators’ wide range of responsibilities means they must be familiar with various healthcare practices, procedures, systems, and standards. At the same time, they must keep up with important technological and regulatory changes that have the potential to impact their workplace greatly. To prepare for these many responsibilities, you might consider specialising in a relevant field to stand out from the applicant pool. 

Some of the most common specialisations include: 

• Business and financial management 

• Health informatics

• Public policy 

• Patient Advocacy

3. Hone your skills.

Hospital administrators must understand healthcare systems, regulations, and operations while demonstrating an ability to lead others, communicate effectively with team members, and manage large projects. As you prepare for an administrative career within healthcare, consider ways to hone relevant technical and personal skills to ensure you perform to the best of your abilities. 

4. Gain experience.

When it comes to heading the administration of a hospital, employers are rightfully concerned with hiring someone with the experience necessary to ensure they can do the best possible job. As a result, you should seek relevant administrative experience, perhaps by working as an assistant administrator, medical records technician, or clerk within a hospital’s accounting department.  

5. Consider a master’s degree in hospital administration.

Some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree or MBA. If you’re considering a career in hospital administration, consider obtaining a relevant master’s degree, such as a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), or Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on healthcare systems. 

Start your career today 

A career in hospital administration offers the opportunity to facilitate the operations of the systems and facilities that support healthcare professionals and ensure patients get the care they need. As you work towards this impactful career, consider taking a flexible online course through Coursera. 

For example, Rutgers’ Healthcare Organisation Operations Specialisation introduces learners to critical concepts such as the relationship between healthcare organisations and health systems, business process management, and quality improvement within healthcare organisations.