What Medical and Health Services Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Medical and Health Services Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel"; "Establish objectives and evaluative or operational criteria for units managed"; "Direct or conduct recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel"; "Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports"; "Develop and implement organizational policies and procedures for the facility or medical unit".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Medical and Health Services Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 640,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 795,500 in 2035, an increase of 155,100 jobs (+24.2%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 62,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $123,860, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Medical and Health Services Managers earn the most
Across the 16 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $110,769 in Pennsylvania to $159,775 in New York, a gap of $49,006 (1.44 times). 10 of those 16 states average above the BLS national median of $123,860 and 6 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 72,340, which is 14.3% of the 504,240 counted across them. Texas follows with 56,230.
Highest-paying states
New York ($159,775), New Jersey ($152,470) and California ($144,245) lead the ranking, while Pennsylvania ($110,769) and Indiana ($114,185) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Medical and Health Services Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 21 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $85,664. The smallest margin is $55,882 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 21 of the 21 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 12.5% and 30.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Medical and Health Services Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-9000) include Natural Sciences Managers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary and Construction Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Medical and Health Services Managers
What is the national median wage for Medical and Health Services Managers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $123,860. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $110,769 to $159,775.
Which state pays Medical and Health Services Managers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $159,775. New Jersey is next at $152,470.
What is the job outlook for Medical and Health Services Managers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 24.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 62,300 openings a year.
What education do Medical and Health Services Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can Medical and Health Services Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $85,664 on a median wage of $167,580.