By getting an advanced degree in health administration, you’ll be qualified for higher-paying jobs that come attached with more responsibilities and a more fulfilling career overall. Many of the people working in health administration, however, decide not to go back to school due to the high cost and the hard work it takes to earn a master’s degree in this field. However, you might be surprised to learn the average salary you can expect if you get your Masters in Health Administration.

According to PayScale.com, your average salary with an MHA depends on your job title. Some career paths are more lucrative than others. Here’s what you can expect, on average:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): $180,000
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): $128,380
• Practice Administrator: $80,000
• Hospital Administrator: $77,195
• Healthcare Consultant: $70,839

As you can see, these salaries are much higher than the average salaries for healthcare workers who have just an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. It is also important to remember that these are just averages, which means many workers make more. How can you earn even higher salaries in your field?

First, just working in health care administration over time is a good way to earn more money. Those with MHAs who have less than one year of working experience make, on average, $47,889. On the other end of the spectrum, those with 20 years or more of experience make, on average, about $50,000 more per year. The size of the company also makes a difference. If you work at a smaller company, such as a private practice or smaller foundation, you can expect to make around $60,000 per year in healthcare administration. On the other hand, if you work at a larger company, like a hospital, you’ll make more like $80,000 to $85,000 per year.

The state and city where you work affects your salary potential as well. In general, you’ll make more if you live in a city, since salaries are lower in rural areas, but keep in mind that you’ll also spend more on housing, food, transportation, and other living expenses if you live in a city. That said, the top-paying metropolitan areas are as follows, according to the US Department of Labor:

• Salinas, California: $131,500
• Lawrence – Methuen – Salem, Massachusetts/New Hampshire: $126,860
• Panama City – Lynn Haven, Florida: $125,580
• Burlington – South Burlington, Vermont: $123,290
• Seattle – Bellevue – Everett, Washington: $118,680

By state, the top salaries for those working in the healthcare administration are as follows:

• Washington: $109,570
• Vermont: $107,810
• New York: $105,010
• Massachusetts: $104,520
• Rhode Island: $103,830

Some types of companies also inherently also offer higher salaries. The top average salaries are found working with your MHA in foundations and federal government departments. One thing is certain – by getting you’re an advanced degree, you’ll make a much higher salary.