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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 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in co-ordinating information to direct, control and evaluate the delivery of health care services within departments and establishments; and in directing health care supervisors and professionals, and in recruiting health care staff
Interest in negotiating with a board of directors and senior managers to maintain and establish standards of health care; and in monitoring the use of diagnostic services, in-patient beds and facilities to ensure effective use of of resources
Interest in developing and implementing plans for new programs, special projects, new material and equipment acquisitions and future staffing levels for the departments and establishments
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
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 67 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 27, 2021 and Jun 14, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Co-ordinate work of doctors, nurses and other staff | 42 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Hire, train, direct and motivate staff | 41 |
| Tasks: Oversee the analysis of data and information | 40 |
| Tasks: Oversee the preparation of reports | 39 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 38 |
| Tasks: Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations | 38 |
| Tasks: Assign, co-ordinate and review projects and programs | 37 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 36 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 36 |
| Attention to detail | 36 |
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 short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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 [pdf] 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.
