On November 4, 2015, the St. Louis Business Journal reported that SSM Health is planning to spend $20.5 million on a new rehabilitation facility to help patients recovering from stroke, joint replacement surgery, and spinal cord injuries. The new rehabilitation facility will be located on the 5th floor of St. Joseph Hospital West. St. Joseph Hospital West is also undergoing expansion with the addition of three new floors, one of which will be occupied by SSM Health’s rehabilitation facility. The growth and expansion that Missouri’s healthcare facilities are undergoing, of course, bodes well for career opportunities and salary potential for healthcare administrators.
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the average healthcare administration salary in Missouri in 2013 was $94,732. Starting salary averaged $58,231 while experienced healthcare administrators averaged 16% more than the statewide average at $112,983.
Occupational Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Missouri
The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center projects that career opportunities for healthcare administrators will grow by 13.92% in the 10-year period between 2012 and 2022. In fact, healthcare administrators were listed on the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s list of “Top 100 Occupations with the Most Openings 2012-2022.” About 36% of job openings during that time will be due to growth in the healthcare field and a subsequent need for qualified healthcare administrators, while 64% of job openings will be due to replacement factors like retirement.
Here is a look at projected occupational growth rates by region between 2012 and 2022:
- Kansas City (including Independence): 12.55%
- Northeast: 14.81%
- Northwest: 13.55%
- Ozark (including Springfield): 13.87%
- Louis: 13.75%
- Southwest: 16.25%
- South Central: 17.35%
Healthcare Administration Salaries by City
In 2013, healthcare administrators were listed among the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s list of “Top 100 Occupations with the Highest Wages.” One of the highest paying areas in Missouri for healthcare administrators is St. Louis where the average salary is $108,751 and experienced administrators average $130,447 per year.
Statewide
- Entry: $58,231
- Average: $94,732
- Experienced: $112,983
Kansas City Region
(Including Independence)
- Entry: $63,081
- Average: $99,198
- Experienced: $117,257
Ozark Region
(Including Springfield)
- Entry: $58,070
- Average: $89,689
- Experienced: $105,499
St. Louis City
- Entry: $65,359
- Average: $108,751
- Experienced: $130,447
St. Charles
- Entry: $67,556
- Average: $105,788
- Experienced: $124,904
The following table provides a comparative analysis of healthcare administration salaries throughout Missouri, as published by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2014:
*Salaries are at or above $90 per hour and $187,199 per year. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salaries beyond these values.
