Health Unit Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Health Unit Management equips professionals to lead and streamline patient care operations within clinical environments, ensuring efficient, high-quality service delivery under the guidance of senior healthcare administrators. This program develops expertise in healthcare logistics, team leadership, and operational strategy, preparing graduates to manage the day-to-day functions of medical units in hospitals and related facilities.
- Administrative Procedure Development: Learn to design, implement, and evaluate operational workflows that support compliance, efficiency, and patient safety across care units.
- Personnel Supervision and Team Leadership: Gain skills in staffing coordination, performance management, and fostering collaborative, high-functioning healthcare teams.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Develop advanced communication techniques essential for effective interaction with patients, staff, and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals.
- Healthcare Operations Management: Study the systems and processes that govern clinical unit performance, including resource allocation, scheduling, and quality assurance protocols.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Understand how to coordinate with physicians, nurses, support staff, and administrative leaders to maintain cohesive, patient-centered care delivery.
Health Unit Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Health Unit Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Health Unit Management degrees, including Medical and Health Services Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 565,840 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
Health Unit Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $88,340 in Arkansas to $161,050 in District of Columbia—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New York, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 565,840 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Health Unit Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Health Unit Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Health Unit Management is found at Southeastern College, West Palm Beach (16 graduates), Delaware County Community College (DCCC) (13 graduates), Southeastern College, Columbia (7 graduates), and Southeastern College, Charleston (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 38 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern College |
Associate's
|
16 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | sec.edu |
| Delaware County Community College (DCCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Media, Pennsylvania | Public | dccc.edu |
| Southeastern College |
Associate's
|
7 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | sec.edu |
| Southeastern College |
Associate's
|
2 | North Charleston, South Carolina | Private | sec.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Health Unit Management programs
How much can I earn with a Health Unit Management degree?
Salaries for Health Unit Management graduates vary by role and location. Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median of $117,960 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $161,050 compared to $88,340 in Arkansas. Approximately 565,840 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Health Unit Management programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Health Unit Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Southeastern College, West Palm Beach (16 graduates), Delaware County Community College (DCCC) (13 graduates), and Southeastern College, Columbia (7 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Health Unit Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 10 in 2010 to 38 in 2023-24. This represents a 280% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Health Unit Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Medical and Health Services Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 565,840 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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