How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Texas

How to Become a Healthcare Administrator in Texas

As the healthcare industry continues to grow, it creates exciting new career paths, especially for those who prefer working behind the scenes.

Healthcare administration offers a range of fulfilling roles that focus on critical functions such as:

  • Personnel Management – Overseeing staffing and human resources.
  • Operational Efficiency – Enhancing and streamlining workflows.
  • Financial Oversight – Managing budgets and financial planning.

Healthcare administrators play a vital role in ensuring that medical facilities operate smoothly, making them integral to the industry’s success.

If you’re intrigued by this career path, there’s much to discover and explore.

Keep reading for more information on this expanding field.

The Role of Healthcare Administrators in Texas

Healthcare administrators are essential for maintaining the efficient operation of medical facilities.

They work on identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategies to enhance performance.

Their core responsibilities include:

  • Optimizing Workflows – Streamlining processes to improve efficiency.
  • Budget Management – Overseeing financial planning and expenditure.
  • Accurate Record-Keeping – Ensuring precise maintenance of medical records.
  • Staff Coordination – Managing schedules and responsibilities.
  • Recruitment and Compensation – Handling hiring and salary matters.
  • Team Support – Assisting healthcare teams in their roles.
  • Regulatory Compliance – Ensuring adherence to healthcare regulations.

As the healthcare sector evolves, administrators must adapt, addressing new challenges and reshaping their roles to meet the dynamic needs of the industry.

Traits of Successful Healthcare Administrators

Former nurses often excel in healthcare administration roles due to their comprehensive clinical experience and understanding of healthcare logistics and resources.

Effective healthcare administrators typically demonstrate:

  • Attention to Detail – Precision in managing various tasks.
  • Multitasking Skills – Ability to handle multiple responsibilities efficiently.
  • Technical Proficiency – Familiarity with healthcare technologies and software.
  • Leadership and Communication – Strong capabilities in leading teams and communicating effectively.
  • Problem-Solving and Decision-Making – Skills for addressing and resolving issues.

For those from non-clinical backgrounds, gaining a solid grasp of healthcare operations is crucial for succeeding in this ever-evolving field.

Pathway to Becoming a Healthcare Administrator in Texas

Interested in pursuing a career in healthcare administration?

Here’s a guide to get started!

Earn a Relevant Degree

Begin with a high school diploma or GED, then pursue specialized education in healthcare administration or nursing.

Many nurses start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and progress to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), typically taking 2 to 4 years.

Pursue a Master’s Degree

Consider earning a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) to advance your career.

This program usually takes 1 to 3 years, depending on your study pace.

Degrees in public health can also be valuable for leadership roles.

Obtain Professional Certifications

Enhancing your credentials with certifications can improve your career prospects.

Nurses might pursue certifications such as the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) to facilitate the transition into administrative roles.

Gain Practical Experience

Hands-on experience is crucial after completing your education and certifications.

Roles such as team leader, supervisor, or nurse manager will help you develop the skills needed for a successful career in healthcare administration.

Healthcare Administration Programs in Texas

For those interested in training, various institutions in Texas offer programs in healthcare administration.

Texas State University

This university offers a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration (B.H.A.).

To graduate with this degree you must complete 120 semester credit hours.

These credits will be accumulated over 4 years.

Students admitted to TSU can declare a Pre-Healthcare Administration major.

For this, they need to contact the:

  • Health Professions Advising Center
  • School of Health Administration.

To officially declare Healthcare Administration as their major and begin junior-level courses, students must submit a change of major form to the School of Health Administration.

Junior-level courses can only be started in the fall or spring semester.

To advance to the Healthcare Administration major, you must:

  • Maintain an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher.
  • Remain in good academic standing at Texas State.
  • Complete the general education core curriculum.
  • Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in the following courses:
    • MATH 1315 (or equivalent),
    • ECO 2301 or 2314,
    • HP 3325 (or equivalent),
    • HA 3308
  • A minimum of 36 credit hours in 3000 or 4000-level courses must be completed
  • All students must complete a residency

The school’s website has an in-depth guide on how to advance to the Healthcare Administration major.

School Name Address
Texas State University 111 J.C. Kellam 601 University Drive San Marcos, Texas 78666-4684

Salary Outlook for Healthcare Administrators in Texas

Wondering about the earning potential for healthcare administrators in Texas?

On average, these professionals earn around $102,328 per year.

For a detailed breakdown of salary variations across different regions, refer to the table below.

Annual Salary Range:
$90K
$10K
$11K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Houston $104,837
Alief $104,732
Stafford $104,628
Missouri City $104,523
Pasadena $104,419
Fresno $104,419
Hitchcock $104,314
Spring $104,210
Cypress $104,105
Santa Fe $104,001

Regional Salary in Texas

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Abilene, TX340$101,510$48.8$145,930$58,890
Amarillo, TX450$104,470$50.23$161,350$60,420
Austin-Round Rock, TX3,790$128,020$61.55$192,840$75,470
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX**$106,930$51.41$149,390$65,670
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX740$98,020$47.12$162,170$47,310
College Station-Bryan, TX**$108,140$51.99$156,990$61,200
Corpus Christi, TX730$106,540$51.22$157,150$55,030
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX14,390$131,370$63.16$195,410$74,720
El Paso, TX1,400$107,050$51.47$165,070$58,240
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX11,620$125,070$60.13$178,220$74,880
Killeen-Temple, TX960$125,550$60.36$171,330$72,600
Laredo, TX310$99,570$47.87$150,730$58,850
Longview, TX450$108,170$52.01$167,370$54,200
Lubbock, TX780$105,600$50.77$157,700$59,810
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX1,150$98,040$47.14$160,630$44,410
Midland, TX290$116,740$56.13$208,030$61,210
Odessa, TX260$104,580$50.28$141,700$60,300
San Angelo, TX240$106,670$51.28$152,180$62,280
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX4,680$118,330$56.89$169,460$67,350
Sherman-Denison, TX300$103,410$49.72$136,640$65,680
Texarkana, TX-AR270$96,270$46.29$143,930$54,270
Tyler, TX620$114,350$54.97$183,520$59,220
Victoria, TX160$103,540$49.78$149,050$63,390
Waco, TX410$112,440$54.06$162,620$61,250
Wichita Falls, TX260$95,900$46.11$129,450$50,880
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical and Health Services Managers, OCC Code 11-9111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do healthcare administrator in Texas earn well?

Healthcare administrators in Texas generally have a good income.

This can be said about newbies in the field as well.

Are there any tips to follow to get hired faster as a healthcare administration in Texas?

There are certainly some tips to get you hired faster:

  • Connect with healthcare professionals
  • Attend industry events
  • Showcase your leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills
  • Gain relevant work experience through internships or entry-level positions
  • Develop a strong understanding of healthcare regulations, policies, and best practices
  • Leverage your education, certifications, and any specialized expertise

At what age can I become a healthcare administrator in Texas?

The age at which you can become a healthcare administrator depends greatly on the age at which you consider becoming on.

USA Healthcare Administrator by State


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