Health Law Salary Insights: Why Advanced Education Matters

Health law pertains to legal matters in the field of healthcare. Individuals who work in health law may develop or oversee policies designed to help healthcare organizations stay compliant with relevant healthcare laws. Others advocate on behalf of patients, helping them understand their rights and responsibilities for healthcare.¹

Health law workers may enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, but earning an advanced degree may open the door to higher earnings. For example, a master’s in health law salary averages $113,000.² Roles in healthcare compliance and risk analysis are particularly well-paid.

This post explores health law salaries for several roles and influencing factors that may further impact earnings.

The Landscape of Health Law Careers

Healthcare is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. In the U.S. alone, healthcare practitioners are subject to numerous regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Other regulations concerning insurance, civil rights, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security may also apply.

To navigate this complex web of regulations, healthcare organizations depend on employees with knowledge of health law. These workers typically have advanced education and experience in the health law field. Some common job titles in the field and their entry-level healthcare law salaries include:

• Healthcare Compliance Officer: $66,000 – $113,000³
• Risk Management Specialist: $60,000 – $98,000⁴
• Healthcare Policy Analyst: $72,000 – $124,000⁵
• Patient Advocate: $42,000 – $65,000⁶

Factors that Influence Health Law Salary

Employers consider a range of factors when establishing healthcare law salaries. Location can dramatically impact salary, especially among health law workers who live in high or low-cost areas.⁷ For example, someone in Boston can expect to earn more than someone based in Detroit because of cost-of-living differences.

Experienced workers often command higher salaries than their entry-level peers because they may require less training and have more exposure to health law work.⁷ Employer types can also affect medical law salary. Corporate and public healthcare organizations may be able to offer more than a small non-profit patient advocacy firm.

Specializing in health law and policy may improve your earning prospects. That’s because a health law education covers highly relevant topics that other, more generic degrees don’t offer. Employers may be willing to offer more to attract you to their organization.

Health Law Salary By Years Of Experience

As you gain experience in health law, organizations may be willing to pay more for your expertise. Here’s a look at the average salary for several typical health law roles and how it changes over time.

Advanced Degrees and a Master’s in Health Law Salary

The complexities of health law make it critical for healthcare organizations to hire people who understand it. Earning a master’s degree in health law demonstrates that you’ve completed in-depth health law studies. Courses in a typical curriculum cover healthcare compliance, patient privacy and HIPAA, healthcare policy, and risk management.

You can apply the knowledge and skills you develop through a master’s in health law to your career. Employers seeking candidates may put a premium on your degree, enabling you to earn a higher salary. As you gain experience within an organization, you may qualify for further advancement and promotions.

Comparing Health Care Law Salary with Other Legal Fields

Several other fields have intricate legal needs that often require specialist assistance to address. One example is administrative law, which focuses on governmental compliance. Other specialist legal fields include environmental law and real estate law.

Salary ranges for entry-level roles in specialist legal fields are:

• Regulatory Compliance Associate: $70,000 – $114,000¹¹
• Environmental Compliance Specialist: $80,000 – $125,000¹²
• Real Estate Attorney: $130,000 – $231,000¹³

Other legal fields offer comparable salaries, but health law and policy has a few unique advantages. For one, it doesn’t require a juris doctor (JD) to qualify for a compliance role. While you won’t act as a company’s or patient’s legal representation, you may handle other relevant tasks.

Another benefit is its flexibility. A master’s in health law and policy is useful for any administrative or executive role in healthcare. All healthcare administrators must have some familiarity with healthcare legislation, even if they don’t work in compliance. Pursuing your degree could lead to a role managing a private practice, hospital, or other leadership position.

Negotiating Your Salary: Strategies for Success

The salary statistics outlined here provide a starting point for understanding the current pay landscape, but it’s up to you to negotiate an amount you feel fairly compensates you for your education and experience.

Before interviewing for a health law role you’re interested in, research current salaries in your area for similar positions. Glassdoor, Indeed, and Payscale provide up-to-date healthcare law salary information you can sort by role and location.

Don’t be afraid to request a salary bump or extra benefits if the package falls short of your expectations. However, explain the reasoning behind your request.

Earn More with an Online Program in Health Law and Policy

Hofstra University offers an online MA in Health Law and Policy for busy professionals eager to grow their careers. Created for people who work in healthcare or within a relevant field, the curriculum explores health law and policy, including regulations, risk management, and healthcare policy.

The 100% online program is perfect for students who require learning flexibility. Take courses from the comfort of your home or office during times that fit your schedule. If you’re unsure whether you want to pursue a degree, consider the online Graduate Certificate in Health Law and Policy. Credits from the certificate are transferable to the master’s degree program.

Why wait to begin an exciting career in health law? Get in touch with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more about the program, or start your application today.