There was an error. Please try again.
This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.
Continuing Care Administrator, Executive Director, Executive Lead, Health Administrator, Health Authority, Home Care Administrator, Hospital Administrator, Primary Care Administrator
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Health service administrators may be in charge of a single organization, a group of organizations, a specific location, or one or more health functions within a larger entity such as a health authority. They may manage one or more programs or departments within an organization. In general, they:
In general, health service administrators work in an office setting. This may be remote or separate from the facility, site, or program they are responsible for. They rarely work regular office hours and often attend meetings or complete tasks beyond the 8-hour workday.
They may need to travel between sites or programs within the organization and to other health service organizations.
Health service administrators ensure their organization is effective. They ensure the utmost quality in the programs and services they provide. At times the work can be stressful.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Managers in health care
2023 OaSIS: 30010.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Health service administrators need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 78 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 27, 2021 and Oct 31, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Hire, train, direct and motivate staff | 49 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Oversee the analysis of data and information | 48 |
| Tasks: Oversee the preparation of reports | 48 |
| Tasks: Co-ordinate work of doctors, nurses and other staff | 48 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 45 |
| Tasks: Plan and control budget and expenditures | 44 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 43 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 42 |
| Tasks: Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations | 42 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 41 |
There are no standard education requirements. Requirements vary with the position, size, and nature of the health service organization. Employers may promote from within the organization or hire applicants who have related post-secondary education or certification.
Health service administrators need both education and experience. Those with a background in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or accounting may take continuing education courses in health service administration or management. Those with graduate degrees in health management most often start in junior adminisitrative positions and get on-the-job experience in not-for-profit organizations. A background in public policy issues such as staffing, quality, performance measures, and funding are helpful.
There are many education options for Albertans interested in this field. For example:
Certified members must take part in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.
Programs include one-week intramural classes held in Ottawa every April. CHA Learning has an agreement with Athabasca University regarding articulation credits for some programs.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
For a list of health leadership-related master’s programs, see the CCHL Strategic Alliances and Partners web page. For a list of health leadership-related certificate programs, see the CCHL Certification web page.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Those interested in a role as a health administrator may also become certified in:
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Health service administrators work for:
Some administrators start in junior positions and advance to senior management. Others start in small not-for-profits and move on to senior positions in larger organizations.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Managers in health care
2016 NOC: 0311
97.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for health service administrators vary greatly depending on the size and nature of the health service organization and the administrator’s qualifications and experience.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $30.12 | $58.87 | $44.19 | $42.45 |
| Overall | $32.64 | $71.03 | $48.58 | $46.65 |
| Top | $39.42 | $90.60 | $64.96 | $63.70 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $96,721 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $161,150 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $83,609 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $63,910 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $96,459 |
| Public Administration | $112,970 |
Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) website: cchl-ccls.ca
HealthCareCAN website: www.healthcarecan.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
