According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for this field is estimated to increase by 20% from 2016 to 2026. As of 2016, there were about 352,200 health care executives in this field and the BLS gauges the projected employment in 2026 will increase to be about 422,000.3 Upon graduating, professionals in this field can expect to earn approximately $60,000 to $70,000 per year.1 In 2016, the average pay for health and aging services executives was $96,540. Most professionals in this field work about 40 hours per week and 30% reported working more than 40 hours.3
Health and aging services executives can work in a variety of settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living centers, continuing care retirement communities, life plan communities, independent senior living, and home- and community-based services.4,5 Some abilities required of health and aging services executives include ethical leadership, maturity, honesty, and effective communication skills. Not only do these professionals work within a care community, they may also travel for association meetings, site visits to other communities, and educational conferences. As an executive, individuals need to adapt to the constant changes in the health care environment. This includes legal and regulatory changes, technological advances, and changing consumer and purchaser demands for better quality health care.1