What Do Long-Term Care Administrators Do?

According to a 2024 report published by the Administration for Community Living, it’s anticipated there will be 78.3 million people in the U.S. aged 65 and older in 2040. This will be a dramatic leap from 2022 when 57.8 million people fit that demographic. The report also projects there will be 13.7 million people aged 85 and older in 2040, more than double 2022’s population of roughly 6.5 million.

This data highlights the fact that Americans are living longer, a victory for medicine, healthcare, and science. It also represents a unique challenge for those in the long-term care field, as the projected growth in the population of older Americans will likely yield an increasing need for long-term care services.

Professionals interested in helping to meet this need may be considering a career as a long-term care administrator. It can be helpful for them to examine the duties of the role and the steps they can take to pursue it, including earning an advanced degree such as a master’s in healthcare administration.

The Long-Term Care Administrator Role at a Glance

Also known as nursing home administrators, long-term care administrators manage and coordinate the daily operations of living facilities that deliver some form of care to their residents. These facilities include retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. The role differs from that of a hospital administrator in that it focuses on the specialized needs of individuals who live in the facility where they receive care.

Long-term care administrators’ responsibilities include the following:

• Overseeing a facility’s clinical, managerial, and janitorial teams to ensure cohesion
• Working closely with clinical staff to develop and maintain each resident’s personalized care strategies
• Ensuring the facility is in compliance with all regulations
• Developing and training staff
• Designing the facility’s budgets
• Acting as the facility’s chief representative to groups such as the general public, the facility’s board of directors, and the residents’ families

The primary goal of long-term care administrators is to provide high-quality care to residents in a comfortable environment. The way this goal is executed can vary based on the type of care being provided. For instance, a nursing home administrator may need to employ a more hands-on approach to residents’ care, whereas a retirement home community administrator may focus on strategies that allow residents to have more independence.

Because these facilities operate on a 24-hour basis, long-term care administrators may need to be prepared to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

How to Become a Long-Term Care Administrator

The first step toward becoming a long-term care administrator is to earn a bachelor’s degree, most commonly in business management or healthcare. Earning an advanced degree, such as a master’s in healthcare administration degree, can help aspiring administrators deepen their knowledge of the business side of healthcare while fortifying their leadership and communication competencies. It may also help expand their potential career opportunities, as some facilities may make an advanced degree the educational requirement for professional consideration.

Prospective long-term care administrators also need to gain professional experience in the healthcare industry to qualify for the role. Many long-term care facilities have entry-level positions that can help individuals cultivate the organizational, communication, and leadership competencies critical for success in the profession.

All long-term care administrators must be licensed in their state of practice. The most common license within the field is the nursing home administrator (NHA) license offered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards. Specific licensure requirements vary by state, so individuals need to familiarize themselves with the requirements in their intended state of practice prior to pursuing the role.

Long-Term Care Administrator Salary and Job Outlook

According to Payscale, the median annual salary for long-term care administrators is $88,300 as of December 2024. Several factors can influence the precise salary an individual receives in the role, including their level of education, years of experience, facility type, and job location.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes the long-term care administrator role within the medical and health services manager category. The BLS projects 29% job growth for the category between 2023 and 2033. This means the job outlook is very promising for long-term care administrators in the coming years.

Prepare to Make a Difference

Long-term care administrators do more than manage a facility. By ensuring that residents are treated with respect, empathy, and compassion, these professionals can help individuals have the best experience possible in the later phase of their life. This can make the position very rewarding.

Enrolling in Claremont Lincoln University’s online Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration program can help you get ready to take on this role with confidence. With courses in quality management, accounting, and strategic communication, our 100% online program can help you cultivate the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to improve care in healthcare organizations, all while honing your leadership style.

Learn how CLU can help prepare you for success.