15 Best Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management for 2024
Written By: Donna Reese
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing. She utilizes her personal experiences to write from the heart to apply to her writing for various health publications, including BLOGS, newsletters, and educational materials and videos. Read Full Bio »» MSN, RN, CSN
Are you considering making a career change to a nursing management position in a hospital? Are you a nurse leader that is ready to take on the challenge of influencing and motivating other nurses and staff? If so, you may wonder what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
You have come to the right place. Here, I give details on the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024. You may be surprised by the many diverse options available in this career path.
In addition, you will be privy to crucial tips and secrets on making yourself more marketable for management positions. As a bonus, I include the top 5 ways to find the most lucrative jobs in hospital nursing management.
After reading this article, you should clearly understand the hospital/nurse leader options available and the best avenue to achieve your management goals.
What Exactly is a Job in Hospital/Nursing Management?
Nurse managers come in all shapes and sizes. These dedicated leaders can work in hospitals, universities, and ambulatory care sites like a hospice or home health agency.
At one point in my career, I was a director of nursing for a home health company. This nurse management job required that I travel all over the state and even the country to oversee our nursing staff in 11 different locations. My daughter, also a nurse, manages a busy women's health clinic in an outpatient facility. However, our jobs were not hospital-based and, therefore, not considered to be hospital/nursing management jobs. We were in ambulatory healthcare management.
For this article, I am concentrating on nursing leadership positions within a hospital. Administrative jobs are considered hospital/nursing management if the nurse is onsite in a hospital. Some of the most valuable nursing jobs are in this category.
Also, working in hospital/nurse management can be a very prosperous option for aspiring RNs. Read on to find out some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
Is it Easy to Find the Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management?
Before our current nursing shortage, attaining a hospital/nursing management job was a lifelong goal for some nurses. Aspiring nurses worked for years towards this objective. A hospital/nursing management role required that an RN climb the career ladder by taking administration courses and putting in their time with excellent work.
Only after continually proving their dedication to the profession and hospital and holding the proper credentials for nursing management were they able to become a candidate for the job.
Turnover for hospital administrators has historically been low. On the peds unit where I had worked, my supervisor had been in the same position for 20 years.
However, of late, nurses in all types of hospital jobs have an incredibly high attrition rate. Nurse administrators are among the highest in this category, with “Over 50% of (nurse leader) respondents intend(ing) to leave their current positions within the next 5 years”, according to a recent study.
Not long ago, I read a job ad for a hospital system that announced that they had 11 nurse management positions open. A few years back, this astounding vacancy rate for choice administrative positions would have been unheard of.
My colleague illustrates an example of the changing qualifications for a nurse manager. She has only a few years of nursing experience and does not have a master's degree. However, she was offered a director of nursing (DON) position at a busy hospital. Although she would need to begin taking classes towards her MSN, the hospital would waive that prerequisite to get her onboard now.
Due to high RN attrition and shortage, the previous high standard for this elite position has been lowered to consider nurses with less experience and education.
Fortunately, solutions are beginning to emerge to fix the nursing crisis. Hospital nurse leaders can be frontline change agents to bolster our profession at this critical juncture. The ebb and flow of nurse supply will continue to evolve over the years, as they have in the past.
At present, nursing management jobs are plentiful, and the requirements have loosened, so if you are considering moving toward management, you have a great shot at this opportunity. Now, at the peak of the nursing shortage, there never has been a better time to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management?
(The following are the 15 best-paying jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management for 2024.)JOB #1: Hospital Chief Executive Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an inpatient administrator, a nurse hospital CEO is at the top of the chain of command. Gone are the days when the CEO was primarily a man holding a business degree with no idea what nurses do. Nurses are excellent candidates for this ultimate healthcare position.
The ultimate goal of a hospital CEO is to ensure that the organization provides quality patient care and has efficient and effective facility operations. A hospital chief executive officer can expect to be based in a hospital but also has duties and roles that take you into the community. In this role, you will direct and attend meetings with shareholders, community leaders, and hospital administrators.
Essentially, the buck stops with you in this position. You make the final decision on most issues when needed. You must be savvy with finance, tech, and health matters. You may need to make decisions about construction and renovation projects. Overall, an effective hospital CEO is a jack of all trades in healthcare and business. Your job will be easier if you learn to surround yourself with a knowledgeable team that works well together.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Salary.com, the average US pay for a hospital CEO is $188,352 a year.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As the top leader in a hospital, you can expect that the CEO position is naturally one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. With a heavy load of responsibility, your compensation should reflect that obligation. It is pretty much assured that you will be working longer than an average 40-hour work week. Hospital CEOs must be available at any time, day or night, on weekends and holidays. When a crisis happens at their hospital, these administrators are commonly involved in some aspect.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Hospital Chief Executive Officers must initially have experience working in healthcare, such as an RN job. A CEO needs to hold a master's degree in business (MBA) or health administration (HHA). In addition, 5 years of hospital administration experience is necessary. Additionally, excellent communication is required. Business experience is a valuable asset for this job.
JOB #2: Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A director of nursing (DON) is responsible for and oversees all of the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, this leader RN is involved with decision-making for the nursing staff as well as functions as the nursing team leader when working with other hospital administrators. The director of nursing is the liaison between the nurses, the doctors and other staff, and administration.
In this role, you will be responsible for making decisions pertaining to budget, staffing, and policies and procedures for all of the units.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A director of nursing position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. On average, the annual pay for a Director of Nursing in the US is $103,724.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an experienced nurse with an advanced degree, you can expect to be well-paid for all you bring to the job. Your schooling, certifications, and nursing and supervisory background are reasons that you will receive top pay in this vital role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be qualified as a DON, you will need at least 5 years of experience as a registered nurse and 5 years of management/supervisory experience. Most DONs hold an MSN or DNP in hospital management or other advanced business or healthcare degrees. Many hospitals require that a potential candidate pass a certification exam called Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT). Excellent communication skills are essential in this role.
JOB #3: Assistant Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As the assistant director of nursing (ADON), you will share many of the same duties as the DON. In addition to assisting and supporting the DON, you can expect to be in command when the DON is unavailable. In addition, many ADONs train staff and are involved in orientation and staff scheduling.
You will serve as a crucial contact person for the nursing staff. As the problem solver and sometimes listening ear for the entire nursing staff, you are often more accessible than the DON. Your presence and concern for the nursing staff is, at times, critical in keeping the RNs satisfied with their jobs.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The national average pay for an assistant director of nursing is $105,266 annually per Glassdoor.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an assistant director of nursing, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. This better-than-average RN salary is because you are more experienced and educated than many of the RNs in the organization. You also will be tasked with problem-solving many issues as the nurses will come to you as their solution finder to sometimes unpleasant or perplexing dilemmas.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Most ADONs must hold an MSN in public health or administration. Five years of nursing experience and a strong track record as an effective communicator and team leader are required. Some organizations require that an ADON possess additional certifications in hospital management.
JOB #4: Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A nurse manager is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of nursing staff on a particular unit or hospital division. You will train staff and work on the budget and schedules in this role. You may be involved in the hiring process. You will be required to assist in the orientation of new RNs. Your primary focus is on quality patient care, safety, and staff effectiveness and satisfaction for your unit.
A nurse manager may serve as the liaison between nurses, doctors, and other staff. You will be your staff's problem solver, mentor, and role model. You may need to fill in as a floor nurse during staffing shortages or emergencies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A nurse manager in the US makes $101,255 annually on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As the top leader in a hospital, you can expect that the CEO position is naturally one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. With a heavy load of responsibility, your compensation should reflect that obligation. It is pretty much assured that you will be working longer than an average 40-hour work week. Hospital CEOs must be available at any time, day or night, on weekends and holidays. When a crisis happens at their hospital, these administrators are commonly involved in some aspect.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Hospital Chief Executive Officers must initially have experience working in healthcare, such as an RN job. A CEO needs to hold a master's degree in business (MBA) or health administration (HHA). In addition, 5 years of hospital administration experience is necessary. Additionally, excellent communication is required. Business experience is a valuable asset for this job.
JOB #2: Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A director of nursing (DON) is responsible for and oversees all of the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, this leader RN is involved with decision-making for the nursing staff as well as functions as the nursing team leader when working with other hospital administrators. The director of nursing is the liaison between the nurses, the doctors and other staff, and administration.
In this role, you will be responsible for making decisions pertaining to budget, staffing, and policies and procedures for all of the units.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A director of nursing position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. On average, the annual pay for a Director of Nursing in the US is $103,724.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an experienced nurse with an advanced degree, you can expect to be well-paid for all you bring to the job. Your schooling, certifications, and nursing and supervisory background are reasons that you will receive top pay in this vital role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be qualified as a DON, you will need at least 5 years of experience as a registered nurse and 5 years of management/supervisory experience. Most DONs hold an MSN or DNP in hospital management or other advanced business or healthcare degrees. Many hospitals require that a potential candidate pass a certification exam called Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT). Excellent communication skills are essential in this role.
JOB #3: Assistant Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As the assistant director of nursing (ADON), you will share many of the same duties as the DON. In addition to assisting and supporting the DON, you can expect to be in command when the DON is unavailable. In addition, many ADONs train staff and are involved in orientation and staff scheduling.
You will serve as a crucial contact person for the nursing staff. As the problem solver and sometimes listening ear for the entire nursing staff, you are often more accessible than the DON. Your presence and concern for the nursing staff is, at times, critical in keeping the RNs satisfied with their jobs.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The national average pay for an assistant director of nursing is $105,266 annually per Glassdoor.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an assistant director of nursing, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. This better-than-average RN salary is because you are more experienced and educated than many of the RNs in the organization. You also will be tasked with problem-solving many issues as the nurses will come to you as their solution finder to sometimes unpleasant or perplexing dilemmas.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Most ADONs must hold an MSN in public health or administration. Five years of nursing experience and a strong track record as an effective communicator and team leader are required. Some organizations require that an ADON possess additional certifications in hospital management.
JOB #4: Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A nurse manager is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of nursing staff on a particular unit or hospital division. You will train staff and work on the budget and schedules in this role. You may be involved in the hiring process. You will be required to assist in the orientation of new RNs. Your primary focus is on quality patient care, safety, and staff effectiveness and satisfaction for your unit.
A nurse manager may serve as the liaison between nurses, doctors, and other staff. You will be your staff's problem solver, mentor, and role model. You may need to fill in as a floor nurse during staffing shortages or emergencies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A nurse manager in the US makes $101,255 annually on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #2: Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A director of nursing (DON) is responsible for and oversees all of the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, this leader RN is involved with decision-making for the nursing staff as well as functions as the nursing team leader when working with other hospital administrators. The director of nursing is the liaison between the nurses, the doctors and other staff, and administration.
In this role, you will be responsible for making decisions pertaining to budget, staffing, and policies and procedures for all of the units.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A director of nursing position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. On average, the annual pay for a Director of Nursing in the US is $103,724.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an experienced nurse with an advanced degree, you can expect to be well-paid for all you bring to the job. Your schooling, certifications, and nursing and supervisory background are reasons that you will receive top pay in this vital role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be qualified as a DON, you will need at least 5 years of experience as a registered nurse and 5 years of management/supervisory experience. Most DONs hold an MSN or DNP in hospital management or other advanced business or healthcare degrees. Many hospitals require that a potential candidate pass a certification exam called Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT). Excellent communication skills are essential in this role.
JOB #3: Assistant Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As the assistant director of nursing (ADON), you will share many of the same duties as the DON. In addition to assisting and supporting the DON, you can expect to be in command when the DON is unavailable. In addition, many ADONs train staff and are involved in orientation and staff scheduling.
You will serve as a crucial contact person for the nursing staff. As the problem solver and sometimes listening ear for the entire nursing staff, you are often more accessible than the DON. Your presence and concern for the nursing staff is, at times, critical in keeping the RNs satisfied with their jobs.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The national average pay for an assistant director of nursing is $105,266 annually per Glassdoor.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an assistant director of nursing, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. This better-than-average RN salary is because you are more experienced and educated than many of the RNs in the organization. You also will be tasked with problem-solving many issues as the nurses will come to you as their solution finder to sometimes unpleasant or perplexing dilemmas.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Most ADONs must hold an MSN in public health or administration. Five years of nursing experience and a strong track record as an effective communicator and team leader are required. Some organizations require that an ADON possess additional certifications in hospital management.
JOB #4: Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A nurse manager is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of nursing staff on a particular unit or hospital division. You will train staff and work on the budget and schedules in this role. You may be involved in the hiring process. You will be required to assist in the orientation of new RNs. Your primary focus is on quality patient care, safety, and staff effectiveness and satisfaction for your unit.
A nurse manager may serve as the liaison between nurses, doctors, and other staff. You will be your staff's problem solver, mentor, and role model. You may need to fill in as a floor nurse during staffing shortages or emergencies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A nurse manager in the US makes $101,255 annually on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an experienced nurse with an advanced degree, you can expect to be well-paid for all you bring to the job. Your schooling, certifications, and nursing and supervisory background are reasons that you will receive top pay in this vital role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be qualified as a DON, you will need at least 5 years of experience as a registered nurse and 5 years of management/supervisory experience. Most DONs hold an MSN or DNP in hospital management or other advanced business or healthcare degrees. Many hospitals require that a potential candidate pass a certification exam called Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT). Excellent communication skills are essential in this role.
JOB #3: Assistant Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As the assistant director of nursing (ADON), you will share many of the same duties as the DON. In addition to assisting and supporting the DON, you can expect to be in command when the DON is unavailable. In addition, many ADONs train staff and are involved in orientation and staff scheduling.
You will serve as a crucial contact person for the nursing staff. As the problem solver and sometimes listening ear for the entire nursing staff, you are often more accessible than the DON. Your presence and concern for the nursing staff is, at times, critical in keeping the RNs satisfied with their jobs.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The national average pay for an assistant director of nursing is $105,266 annually per Glassdoor.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an assistant director of nursing, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. This better-than-average RN salary is because you are more experienced and educated than many of the RNs in the organization. You also will be tasked with problem-solving many issues as the nurses will come to you as their solution finder to sometimes unpleasant or perplexing dilemmas.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Most ADONs must hold an MSN in public health or administration. Five years of nursing experience and a strong track record as an effective communicator and team leader are required. Some organizations require that an ADON possess additional certifications in hospital management.
JOB #4: Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A nurse manager is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of nursing staff on a particular unit or hospital division. You will train staff and work on the budget and schedules in this role. You may be involved in the hiring process. You will be required to assist in the orientation of new RNs. Your primary focus is on quality patient care, safety, and staff effectiveness and satisfaction for your unit.
A nurse manager may serve as the liaison between nurses, doctors, and other staff. You will be your staff's problem solver, mentor, and role model. You may need to fill in as a floor nurse during staffing shortages or emergencies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A nurse manager in the US makes $101,255 annually on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #3: Assistant Director of Nursing
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As the assistant director of nursing (ADON), you will share many of the same duties as the DON. In addition to assisting and supporting the DON, you can expect to be in command when the DON is unavailable. In addition, many ADONs train staff and are involved in orientation and staff scheduling.
You will serve as a crucial contact person for the nursing staff. As the problem solver and sometimes listening ear for the entire nursing staff, you are often more accessible than the DON. Your presence and concern for the nursing staff is, at times, critical in keeping the RNs satisfied with their jobs.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The national average pay for an assistant director of nursing is $105,266 annually per Glassdoor.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an assistant director of nursing, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. This better-than-average RN salary is because you are more experienced and educated than many of the RNs in the organization. You also will be tasked with problem-solving many issues as the nurses will come to you as their solution finder to sometimes unpleasant or perplexing dilemmas.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Most ADONs must hold an MSN in public health or administration. Five years of nursing experience and a strong track record as an effective communicator and team leader are required. Some organizations require that an ADON possess additional certifications in hospital management.
JOB #4: Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A nurse manager is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of nursing staff on a particular unit or hospital division. You will train staff and work on the budget and schedules in this role. You may be involved in the hiring process. You will be required to assist in the orientation of new RNs. Your primary focus is on quality patient care, safety, and staff effectiveness and satisfaction for your unit.
A nurse manager may serve as the liaison between nurses, doctors, and other staff. You will be your staff's problem solver, mentor, and role model. You may need to fill in as a floor nurse during staffing shortages or emergencies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A nurse manager in the US makes $101,255 annually on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As an assistant director of nursing, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. This better-than-average RN salary is because you are more experienced and educated than many of the RNs in the organization. You also will be tasked with problem-solving many issues as the nurses will come to you as their solution finder to sometimes unpleasant or perplexing dilemmas.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Most ADONs must hold an MSN in public health or administration. Five years of nursing experience and a strong track record as an effective communicator and team leader are required. Some organizations require that an ADON possess additional certifications in hospital management.
JOB #4: Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A nurse manager is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of nursing staff on a particular unit or hospital division. You will train staff and work on the budget and schedules in this role. You may be involved in the hiring process. You will be required to assist in the orientation of new RNs. Your primary focus is on quality patient care, safety, and staff effectiveness and satisfaction for your unit.
A nurse manager may serve as the liaison between nurses, doctors, and other staff. You will be your staff's problem solver, mentor, and role model. You may need to fill in as a floor nurse during staffing shortages or emergencies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A nurse manager in the US makes $101,255 annually on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #4: Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A nurse manager is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of nursing staff on a particular unit or hospital division. You will train staff and work on the budget and schedules in this role. You may be involved in the hiring process. You will be required to assist in the orientation of new RNs. Your primary focus is on quality patient care, safety, and staff effectiveness and satisfaction for your unit.
A nurse manager may serve as the liaison between nurses, doctors, and other staff. You will be your staff's problem solver, mentor, and role model. You may need to fill in as a floor nurse during staffing shortages or emergencies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A nurse manager in the US makes $101,255 annually on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse manager is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are paid for your experience and the responsibility you hold for the unit. As one of the top decision-makers in your area, you are compensated for your superb ability to create and develop policies and procedures and other critical related decisions.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN degree. Experience as a proven leader and effective nurse are vital qualities for a successful candidate for this position. Most hospitals require that a nurse manager have at least 5 years of experience in the area of nursing where you will work. Many nurse managers have an MSN in healthcare management.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #5: Assistant Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: As an assistant nurse manager, your responsibilities sometimes may overlap with the nurse manager. You may have some input on budgets, staffing, and hiring. However, your job will be more hands with patients and the staff.
When I was an assistant nurse manager, much of the time, my manager was not accessible to staff due to frequent meetings and projects that kept her behind closed doors. My office was a revolving door of nurses asking me questions and problems. I also was out and about on the floor much of the time, helping out the nurses with their duties and dealing with patients directly.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Glassdoor quotes the wage of an assistant nurse manager at $98,315
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As one of the more knowledgeable nurses on the unit, you can expect that your position will be one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You are being paid for your expertise and leadership skills. You also share responsibility for the actions (or inaction) of staff on your unit.
I recall when one of my nurses refused to assist a physician with a procedure. I was called in for reprimand by my administration as the unit leader and was on the hot seat for her decision in this matter. This example illustrates how the assistant nurse manager's pay must reflect the added responsibility of the actions of the other nurses on the unit.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Assistant nurse managers can have varied backgrounds and education. You must hold a valid RN license, but many hospitals do not specify any other requirements. What is more important is that you possess excellent communication skills and are a proven leader. You will need experience in the unit where you work, typically at least 5 years.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #6: Unit Supervisor
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A unit nurse supervisor is responsible for the staff and patient care on a particular hospital medical floor/unit. The unit supervisor is responsible for all 3 shifts and manages the team of nurses and aides. This leader may help in the hiring process. And staff training and orientation.
A unit supervisor often has a patient assignment, although lesser than a floor nurse, due to other administrative duties. This RN is available for physician consults and rounds as needed. The unit supervisor may make patient assignments. This nurse typically works day shift or 9-5.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to Glassdoor, a unit supervisor makes an average yearly wage of $ 99,608.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Being accountable for and managing all shifts of nursing staff brings much responsibility. For this reason, along with extensive nursing experience, a unit supervisor is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse unit supervisors are required to complete a BSN and, many times, an MSN in healthcare management. Nurse unit supervisors must have a comprehensive background and experience in the unit they manage. Having the talent to communicate effectively with staff is essential for positive staff relations. Problem-solving and staff teaching skills are also necessary.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #7: Patient Experience Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A patient experience manager is the jack of all trades to ensure every patient has a safe and positive experience. Other names for this role is patient experience director, patient experience liaison, or patient experience officer. This leader works with all staff, from the cleaning crew to physicians and administrators, to ensure that everyone puts their best foot forward for the patients and complies with hospital policies.
How Much Does the Job Pay: Salary.com lists the pay of a patient experience manager to be $130,879 on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: To keep all patients happy and safe in a hospital is a big task. Besides the extensive educational requirements for this job, the ability to expertly finesse all staff and visitors is why patient experience positions are some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient experience manager is a specialized and newer type of hospital leader. Although not all patient experience managers are nurses, we are qualified for this role.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Candidates for this position must possess an MSN in healthcare administration and/or an MBA (business). Well-honed customer service and communication skills are of utmost importance for this job. You are the ultimate troubleshooter and mediary between everyone that walks into the hospital.
JOB #8: Hospice Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: With some hospitals housing a hospice wing/unit, a hospice director may be necessary to manage this specialty area. This leadership position involves overseeing the day-to-day management of staff and patient care. As a hospice director, you are directly responsible for your unit's success and patient satisfaction. You will oversee the nursing staff, orient new RNs to the unit and create job assignments. You will interface directly with physicians and hospital administrators.
As a member of the overall hospital leadership team, you will work on your unit's budgets, policies, and procedures.
How Much Does the Job Pay: ZipRecruiter indicates that the average yearly pay for a hospice director in the US is $101,809.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a vital leader on a hospice unit, you can expect to hold one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Your expertise is essential to teach and guide the RNs in exceptional care for dying hospice patients. As we know, it takes a special type of nurse to work in hospice care, and you will serve as a role model of how the staff should care for these patients. In addition, your problem-solving expertise and leadership skills are one of the reasons that you are compensated well for your role.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a hospice director, you must be certified in this field. Hospitals must comply with hospice protocol, and having a certified director is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met. In addition, you are required to hold a master's degree in nursing administration. Due to a shortage of qualifying applicants for this position, some hospitals may waive the MSN initially. However, you will need to complete the required advanced degree once hired.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #9: Clinical Nurse Manager
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A clinical nurse manager oversees the nursing staff in a hospital. In this role, the manager is responsible for evaluating the nursing staff as well as making the work schedules. You may be involved in the hiring and training of new nurses and nursing assistants. A clinical nurse manager will work with the director to review expenditures and create new budgets. In this role, you will serve as a member of the overall nursing leadership team.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A clinical nurse manager position is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. You can expect to make $109,593 per year on average.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: As a clinical nurse manager, you are well compensated for your advanced education and experience. You are a leader and a role model to your staff.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A BSN is required for this position, with an MSN preferred. You must also have at least 3-5 years of inpatient hospital experience. Supervisory experience is a plus as you will train new nursing staff and evaluate the RNs and assistants.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #10: Nurse Educator
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: Nurse educators provide professional role development for nursing staff, continuing education, and ongoing training of new techniques, procedures, and protocols. In this capacity, you will have a hand in the onboarding and orienting of new nurses. You will need to keep abreast of the latest nursing protocols and methods. Nurse educators may also be involved in community health fairs and education.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for a nurse educator is $89,955.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: With a shortage of nurses, we anticipate an influx of new nurses in the next few years. This potential surge of young nurses makes the job of a hospital nurse educator critical to get our recruits trained and ready to care for patients. For this reason, along with the knowledge and expertise of these leaders, a nurse educator is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: Nurse educators must possess a BSN and at least 5 years of inpatient clinical practice. Excellent verbal communication skills are a must. Some clinical educators hold an MSN in education, but this additional degree is not always necessary.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #11: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) is a newer position in a hospital that combines technology and nursing knowledge. This savvy nurse leader is a liaison between the nursing staff and those working to develop and support computer software and EMRs. You may be asked to analyze and synthesize clinical and technical data to create reports that make sense to administrators and nurses alike. You will train and supervise the informatics nurses in the hospital.
How Much Does the Job Pay: According to ZipRecruiter, a chief nursing informatics officer makes a yearly salary of $147,182.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A CNIO is one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management because this leader possesses a rare and explicit combination of skills. You are not only being compensated for your nursing and management expertise. You hold an advanced nursing degree in the sought-after field of informatics and have experience in this field.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: As this position has recently emerged and is evolving, the qualifications may differ for each facility. However, the basic requirements for a CNIO are an active RN license, 5 years of recent clinical experience, and a master's degree in nursing informatics. This leader needs to be tech-savvy and possess excellent writing skills. As the chief nursing informatics officer, you must also have working experience in informatics.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #12: Patient Care Director
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A hospital patient care director makes sure that all services and care are in the best interest and well-being of their patients. This patient advocate nurse works with all types and levels of hospital staff. In addition to ensuring that patients are well cared for and happy, this leader also ensures that all staff complies with regulations and hospital protocol. This nurse is involved in teaching and monitoring staff adherence to guidelines to ensure that everyone is working for the betterment of the patients.
How Much Does the Job Pay: As one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management, a patient care director can expect to make $114,505 annually on average in the US.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A patient care director needs to be able to work with all types of personnel in a hospital. Having the gift to communicate and motivate a variety of staff effectively takes finesse and skill. In addition, this leader is responsible for keeping the patients safe and happy and the hospital in compliance with various regulations.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: A patient care director must possess an MSN, preferably in healthcare management. Recent inpatient experience of at least 5 years is required, with a business background being a plus. Most hospitals require some leadership experience. Strong communication and team-building skills are a must for this position.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #13: Chief Clinical Officer
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief clinical officer is a type of human resources director that is primarily involved in the hiring of nursing administrators and providers. Your duties may include administrating the resident program as well as other in-service content such as safety prevention. You may be a part of the team that develops and oversees hospital protocol. In this 9-5 job, you will be an integral member of the hospital's elite administration.
This is a relatively new position, so the job duties may vary according to the hospital. Some facilities utilize chief clinical officers to ensure compliance with regulations. In this capacity, you may work directly with physicians guiding them to achieve compliance and satisfactory patient outcomes pertaining to safety.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A chief clinical officer role is among the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. The national yearly average wage for this position is $120,627, according to ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: You will be an integral member of the top administration in this role. This job involves high-level decision-making skills and complex thought processes. You will answer to the hospital's CEO and bear responsibility for much of the facility's operation.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be considered for the position of chief clinical officer, you will need to hold a master's degree in nursing. Your specialty should be in administration/management. A business degree is a plus. You will need a minimum of 10 years of inpatient clinical experience, along with management expertise. As one of the hospital's most experienced managerial and business positions, a well-rounded and extensive nursing/leadership and business background is necessary. Thus, a more seasoned nurse is typically the best candidate for the job of chef clinical officer.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
JOB #14: Charge Nurse
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A charge nurse supervises and oversees the unit on which she works. This responsibility involves only the shift that the charge nurse is working. While on duty, a charge nurse is assigned patients. In addition to being a staff nurse, this leader supervises the nursing staff for that shift and monitors patient care for the unit. A charge nurse may create assignments, order supplies, answer questions, and round with providers.
How Much Does the Job Pay: The charge nurse position is on the lower end of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. A charge nurse can expect to make slightly more than the staff nurses, with the US average yearly pay quoted at $77,487 per ZipRecruiter.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: Charge nurses are typically the most experienced nurses on a particular shift. The added responsibility and experience is why these RNs make a higher wage than the rest of the staff nurses for that shift.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: To be a charge nurse, you must hold a valid RN license. You may be a BSN or ADN grad. The most crucial requirement for this role is that you are one of the most experienced nurses for the shift. You must effectively supervise staff and ensure the patient's needs are adequately met while on duty.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
In some instances, your education may be the qualifier for a charge position. In these instances, you may possess the most education of the staff.
This was the case for me as a new grad RN. As the only BSN grad on the peds unit where I began my nursing carer, I was quickly put in charge due to my 4-year nursing degree. I worked on a unit with AD nurses, LPNS, and nursing assistants. At that juncture in my fledgling career, I was very inexperienced, with all the staff having more seniority than me.
Unfortunately, this scenario was a lose-lose situation for myself and the staff. I was too fresh out of school to be an effective charge nurse, and I doubt that the senior AD nurses appreciated my leadership. However, this hierarchy may come into play in small hospitals or units.
JOB #15: Chief Nurse Anesthetist
What Duties & Responsibilities Does the Job Involve: A chief nurse anesthetist is a supervisor and manager for the nurse anesthetist staff. As the leader of this group, your duties may include hiring and training new nurse anesthetists. You will supervise and evaluate the nurse anesthetists. You are responsible for overall patient safety and satisfaction while under anesthesia. You will create staff schedules and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols in the OR. A chief nurse anesthetist works hand-in-hand with the anesthesiologists and OR staff, including surgeons.
How Much Does the Job Pay: A position as a chief nurse anesthetist is at the top end of the pay scale for best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. Salary.com lists the average annual pay for a chief nurse anesthetist as $247,182
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
![]()
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
Why is it One of the Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs: A nurse anesthetist commands the highest salary of any nursing position. Thus, you can expect that a chief nurse anesthetist will make the pinnacle of nursing salaries. With a grand salary comes much responsibility. Overseeing the safety of anesthetized patients in multiple OR suites is a significant duty. With numerous ORs in session for long hours, a chief nurse anesthetist certainly has her hands full, supervising CRNAs and ensuring patient safety.
What are the Requirements to Get This Job: You must possess a valid RN license and complete a master's degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Certification as a CRNA is essential for the position. Once you gain clinical experience as a CRNA, you can qualify for the position of chief. Supervisory and management experience is a plus. Leaders in this role need to be well-organized and meticulous in their nursing skills.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.
Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.
Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.
Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.
You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.
For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.
Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.
The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.
Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.
2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.
3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.
4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.
5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.
6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.
Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
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Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.
5 Top Ways to Find Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
WAY #1: Look for atypical nursing management positions
Hospital jobs are paid out of various departments. Typical nursing management positions such as charge nurse and unit supervisor fall under the nursing department. Unfortunately, the jobs compensated through the nursing department are sometimes compensated less than other departments such as those in business or IT. For example, nurses in informatics make an excellent wage and fall under the IT umbrella. Another observation is that of a highly compensated chief clinical officer. This lucrative management position may be part of the business department.Thus, some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management may not be the most common ones found in nursing management.
WAY #2: Stick with one organization
One of the more common ways to land one of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management is to work your way up the career ladder over time. Through perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to an organization, you will have ample opportunity to showcase your outstanding leadership qualities.Administration frequently likes to promote from within. Faithful employees that demonstrate stellar work ethic and teamwork are likely to be top candidates for advancement opportunities at their place of employment.
WAY #3: Go back to school
It is well-known that nurses with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions at a higher rate than those with lesser education. As pointed out in this article, most nurse leadership positions require an MSN or similar degree for upper management positions in a hospital.Business degrees and coursework are necessary for some positions, while others need a background in IT or nurse informatics. These advanced and specialized degrees are the stepping stone necessary to qualify for some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management.
WAY #4: Expand your network
I hesitate to say that you can get a job by knowing the right people; however, at times, this may be the case. You increase your likelihood of advancement in an organization by rubbing elbows with all types of staff, hospital administrators, community members, and politicians.You can expand your professional network in many ways. By joining professional organizations both in-person and online, you can meet new people outside your immediate circle of colleagues. Attend meetings, conferences, and events regularly to personalize your associations. Reach out to college friends and alumni and create new contacts through LinkedIn. You never know who may have a lead or a management job opening that may benefit your career.
WAY #5: Look outside of your organization
Although nurse leaders are commonly hired from within, there are times that it may behoove your career to go outside of your hospital organization to advance your career.For example, a Florida-based nurse friend was recently hired as an assistant manager on a Pennsylvania women's health unit. The hiring manager specifically stated that she was looking for a fresh perspective from a nurse outside the organization. Due to some internal challenges, the hospital was eager to learn how a successful program worked from this nurse’s experience elsewhere.
In this case, my friend’s outsider status worked to her benefit to secure a job promotion externally.
3 Tips for Making Yourself More Marketable for Best-Paying Jobs in Hospital/Nursing Management
TIP #1: Network Network Network
Many nurses make the common mistake of only applying on the typical nursing job employment sites. However, there is a secret to making yourself much more marketable.Nurses in the know are aware that by expanding their professional network through intentional networking, they increase their chances of finding the perfect leadership position. By consistently making and growing contacts, you are more apt to make an impression on a potential lead or employer. Connections and personal associations rather than an impersonal job application are the way to go when hunting for hospital management roles.
TIP #2: Find a Niche
Nurses who possess an in demand niche are more likely to find some of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management. For example, nurses with experience and a business degree are not that common. Your background in business can propel you to the next level in a hospital hierarchy.The same goes for nurses certified in informatics. The pool of nurses who can lead in this niche is relatively limited. Therefore, chief informatics nurses are hard to come by.
Thus, by finding a sought-after niche in a hospital and pursuing this goal through education and experience, you are carving out the likelihood of a lucrative hospital nursing management career.
TIP #3: Highlight Your Outstanding Qualities
By nurturing and showcasing some of your unique and impressive leadership abilities, you will stand out above the other candidates for a management job.Are you a skilled speaker? Then volunteer for speaking engagements to bolster your resume. What about writing? Perhaps you have a unique skill or topic that you can publish in a professional nursing journal.
If you are tech-savvy, volunteer to be a trainer for the latest EMR upgrade. Are you an idea person? Then consider developing a new program to augment your unit or hospital community outreach.
The list can go on of ideas where you can increase your marketability through developing your many nursing and other talents on and off the job.
My Final Thoughts
As you may have noted by reading the 15 best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management for 2024, hospital nursing management jobs and their requirements are quite diverse. While, some management positions are relatively easy to obtain, others require extensive education and/or experience.
However, you can increase your wage by working your way up the career ladder. At times, compensation for management jobs may only amount to a slight raise, while others can be quite substantial.
Although I have answered the question of “what are the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management?”, it is up to you to decide if you want to pursue a standard role in management or venture into a more unique leadership position in hospital administration. Either way, there are numerous options available.
Whatever your goal, with a clearer idea of the job specifics to get you started, you are on your way to a successful new career in management.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Can I Get A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job Without Any Experience?
Most nurse hospital jobs in management require 5 or more years of clinical experience. However, in some circumstances, a combination of the right education and minimal experience may get your foot in the door for lower administration jobs such as charge nurse.2. Are There Any Part-Time Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Jobs?
Typically, hospital/nursing management jobs require a full-time commitment. This is because you will manage a unit/hospital where staff work 7 days a week. An exception is a charge nurse, as you are only responsible for supervision on your work days.3. Can I Become Rich With A Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
As illustrated in this article, a few of the best-paying jobs in hospital/nursing management earn well over $200,00 annually. Most nurses would feel very well compensated, making a salary in this pay range.4. What Is The Least-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The least stressful jobs in hospital management are often ones where your responsibility is contained to a small unit. The less staff you are responsible for typically equates to lower stress. Thus, a nurse educator, charge nurse and then unit supervisor are some of the least-stressful positions in nursing management in a hospital.5. What Is The Most-Stressful Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The higher up the hospital corporate ladder, the more stress for the administrator. You can expect a hospital CEO and director of nursing to feel tremendous pressure in their line of work.6. What Is The Most Fulfilling Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job?
The most fulfilling best-paying hospital/nursing management job depends on what you are looking for in your career. If money makes you the happiest, choose one of the administrative jobs listed at the top of the pay scale, such as a chief nurse anesthetist. If you are a people person who likes to facilitate a cooperative environment, you will be most fulfilled in the patient care director role.Whatever type of leadership role that makes you happiest would be the most fulfilling.
7. What Is The Best-Paying Hospital/Nursing Management Job For New Grads?
There are few options for hospital/nursing management jobs for new grads. Based on my unhappy experience as a charge nurse a few months into my first nursing job, I can tell you firsthand that a management job is not a good idea for any new grad. You will need experience before you can supervise other nurses.
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.