The following article discusses the career path of Medical Director. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Medical Directors.
Job Duties
Medical directors ensure the health care organization’s medical model is aligned with all relevant requirements. They also make sure that patients receive the best possible care. To achieve this, they hold responsibility for the selection of medical providers, supervise the health care setting’s medical staff including setting their schedules, giving advice on medical purchases, mentoring clinical students, reviewing staff performance, giving guidance on new medical policies and procedures and approving them if relevant, meeting with various other medical providers and the medical administration, and liaising between medical administration and medical staff.
Generally, medical directors will work indoors from an office. However, they regularly attend meetings and there is an expectation that they have a regular visible presence on the floor as well. Most medical directors work in hospitals. This means that they must be aware of the risk of contamination with bodily fluids and blood as well. They work directly with various medical providers, with patients and their families, with the hospital’s administration, and with medical staff.
Other job duties of a medical director include:
– Being responsible for the medical setting’s fiscal operations, including financial relationships, accounting, and setting rates.
Where We Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 352,200 medical and health services managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: 36%
- Offices of physicians: 11%
- Nursing and residential care facilities: 10%
- Government: 8%
- Outpatient care centers: 7%
How to Become
A medical director is expected to hold a master’s degree as a minimum. However, most have a doctorate degree, with some being medical professionals themselves.
Education Requirements
As a minimum, a medical director will be expected to hold a master’s degree. However, it is becoming increasingly common for them to hold a doctorate degree, not in the least because hospitals will expect them to have a medical background. They usually also have to be board certified and have a medical license in the state. Furthermore, those with clinical teaching experience are generally in the greatest demand.
Traits & Qualities
The most effective medical directors have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Extensive knowledge of the relevant medical laws
- Commitment to continuous education
- Strong leadership skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong communicator, both verbal and written
- Keen eye for detail
- Ability to show empathy
Minimum Education
Master’s Degree
National Salary
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- Most Reported
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$54,000
$392,000
Salary by State
The following section lists Medical Director salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Hawaii had the largest quoted salary of $246,593 while Kentucky had the smallest quoted salary of $51,072.
Alaska – $221,917 | Rank: 3rd |
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ANTHC and Personnel Resources.
$111,000 $369,000 Salary Distribution
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Alabama – $201,820 | Rank: 17th |
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MMS Group, Systematic business consulting, Ploeger Recruiting Services, and LavaRock.
$102,000 $307,000 Salary Distribution
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Arkansas – $178,359 | Rank: 32nd |
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants, Medcillary, Prairie Grove Health & Rehab, and FCS First Choice Services.
$57,000 $365,000 Salary Distribution
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Arizona – $204,253 | Rank: 15th |
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like iPlace, InSync Healthcare Recruiters, AMI Network, and MMS Group.
$71,000 $404,000 Salary Distribution
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California – $184,889 | Rank: 29th |
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SSI Technical, Alls Well Health Care Services, CyberCoders, and Merritt, Hawkins & Associates/MHA Group.
$56,000 $386,000 Salary Distribution
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Colorado – $197,068 | Rank: 21st |
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Medical Weight Loss of Colorado, Fidelis Partners, Starbrio Healthcare Staffing, and The Delta Companies.
$75,000 $376,000 Salary Distribution
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Connecticut – $221,429 | Rank: 4th |
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like New England Physician Recruitment, FCS Software Solutions Ltd., NEPRC, and NEPRC.com.
$84,000 $423,000 Salary Distribution
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DC – $240,429 | Rank: 2nd |
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Staff Physician Recruiter, Enterprise Medical Recruiting, and The Curare Group.
$82,000 $480,000 Salary Distribution
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Delaware – $210,112 | Rank: 10th |
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Diedre Moire.
$91,000 $377,000 Salary Distribution
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Florida – $148,758 | Rank: 42nd |
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Post Enterprise, Who Is Hiring Today, Acuity Professional Placement Solutions, and Medical Resources Network.
$34,000 $343,000 Salary Distribution
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Georgia – $173,986 | Rank: 34th |
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Superior Healthcare Bells Ferry, Diedre Moire, Seaboard Physician Search, and Physician Providers, Inc..
$54,000 $361,000 Salary Distribution
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Hawaii – $246,593 | Rank: 1st |
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like EMrecruits and State of Hawaii.
$124,000 $374,000 Salary Distribution
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Iowa – $104,756 | Rank: 44th |
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Esr, The Delta Companies, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Enterprise Medical Recruiting.
$14,000 $301,000 Salary Distribution
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Idaho – $122,866 | Rank: 43rd |
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants, CMC Limited, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
$34,000 $266,000 Salary Distribution
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Illinois – $195,515 | Rank: 23rd |
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Murdock Consulting, EPM Scientific, Esr, and Intone Networks.
$62,000 $401,000 Salary Distribution
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Indiana – $207,571 | Rank: 11th |
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Spot On Recruiting, Inc., Seaboard Physician Search, Alpha Medical Group, and Healthcare Scouts, Inc..
$83,000 $387,000 Salary Distribution
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Kansas – $200,934 | Rank: 18th |
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ProEnlist, 360 Headhunter, and CyberCoders.
$85,000 $365,000 Salary Distribution
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Kentucky – $51,072 | Rank: 45th |
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ABPS MedStaff, MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC, Louisville Metro Animal Services, and Enterprise Medical Recruiting.
$7.25 $68.55 Salary Distribution
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Louisiana – $204,561 | Rank: 14th |
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Samuel Contract Staffing LLC, LG GROUP, and ADN Healthcare.
$93,000 $357,000 Salary Distribution
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Massachusetts – $207,020 | Rank: 12th |
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Northeast Healthcare Recruitment, Inc., Naphcare, Inc., NEPRC.com, and Baystate Medical Practices, Inc..
$86,000 $379,000 Salary Distribution
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Maryland – $213,900 | Rank: 8th |
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Innovative Management Solutions, Diedre Moire, Clinical Management Consultants, and Physician Providers, Inc..
$72,000 $429,000 Salary Distribution
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Maine – $192,598 | Rank: 25th |
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fidelis Parnters, Genesis HealthCare, Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC), and Fidelis Partners.
$65,000 $386,000 Salary Distribution
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Michigan – $217,768 | Rank: 6th |
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services and Healthcare Scouts, Inc..
$85,000 $409,000 Salary Distribution
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Minnesota – $210,487 | Rank: 9th |
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sterling Medical and Diedre Moire.
$64,000 $440,000 Salary Distribution
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Missouri – $220,154 | Rank: 5th |
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Diedre Moire and The HealthCare Initiative.
$65,000 $466,000 Salary Distribution
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Montana – $171,843 | Rank: 36th |
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lewis & Clark County – Helena.
$56,000 $350,000 Salary Distribution
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North Carolina – $159,668 | Rank: 38th |
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Murdock Consulting, Enterprise Medical Recruiting, Merrion Healthcare Solutions, LLC, and Interregional Med-Exec Group, Inc..
$34,000 $377,000 Salary Distribution
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North Dakota – $205,794 | Rank: 13th |
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Teed & Company.
$104,000 $341,000 Salary Distribution
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New Hampshire – $196,099 | Rank: 22nd |
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Atlantic Group, Elite Placement Group, and Fidelis Partners.
$56,000 $419,000 Salary Distribution
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New Jersey – $200,749 | Rank: 19th |
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like new england physician recruitment center-boston, New England Physicians Recruitment Center, NEPRC.com, and Direct Sales Recruiting, LLC.
$83,000 $368,000 Salary Distribution
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New Mexico – $183,812 | Rank: 30th |
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Indian Health Service.
$53,000 $391,000 Salary Distribution
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Nevada – $214,591 | Rank: 7th |
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Steele Healthcare Solutions, A-Line Staffing, ProEnlist, and Physician Providers, Inc..
$75,000 $423,000 Salary Distribution
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New York – $185,545 | Rank: 28th |
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Enterprise Medical Recruiting, Staff Physician Recruiter, Marsh Group, and International Medical Placement, Ltd..
$55,000 $391,000 Salary Distribution
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Ohio – $179,693 | Rank: 31st |
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Healthcare Scouts, Inc., MyMDRecruiter, myDermRecruiter / myMDRecruiter, and Elevate Healthcare Consultants.
$53,000 $381,000 Salary Distribution
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Oklahoma – $155,929 | Rank: 40th |
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Questcare Partners, Questcare, The Delta Companies, and CompHealth.
$32,000 $372,000 Salary Distribution
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Oregon – $166,145 | Rank: 37th |
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Oregon Health Sciences University, Jackson County Health and Human Services, MedicalRecruiting.com, and HCRC Staffing.
$55,000 $335,000 Salary Distribution
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Pennsylvania – $173,698 | Rank: 35th |
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fidelis Partners, Dickinson Center, Inc., National Health Partner, Inc, and HCRC Staffing.
$44,000 $389,000 Salary Distribution
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Rhode Island – $157,453 | Rank: 39th |
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Physician Providers, Inc..
$53,000 $316,000 Salary Distribution
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South Carolina – $187,580 | Rank: 26th |
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like FCS First Choice Services, MMS Group, Acuity Professional Placement Solutions, and 3rd Son United.
$63,000 $378,000 Salary Distribution
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Tennessee – $202,101 | Rank: 16th |
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Elevate Healthcare Consultants, Olesky Associates, VALiNTRY Services, and Continuum Medical Staffing.
$69,000 $403,000 Salary Distribution
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Texas – $152,452 | Rank: 41st |
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sierra Providence Urgent Care Center Sunland – EM, Sierra Providence Urgent Care Center, Envision Physician Services, and National Health Partner, Inc.
$32,000 $362,000 Salary Distribution
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Virginia – $187,254 | Rank: 27th |
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Merrion Healthcare Solutions, LLC, Acuity Professional Placement Solutions, Department of Veterans Affairs, and MedicalRecruiting.com.
$63,000 $376,000 Salary Distribution
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Vermont – $199,830 | Rank: 20th |
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants, Health Career Associates, E-HealthJobs, and NEPRC.com.
$97,000 $338,000 Salary Distribution
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Washington – $192,930 | Rank: 24th |
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Enterprise Medical Recruiting, CRS Recruiting, Perm Hires LLC, and Healthcare Scouts, Inc..
$59,000 $401,000 Salary Distribution
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Wisconsin – $177,018 | Rank: 33rd |
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like E-solutions Inc, Elevate Healthcare Consultants, Merritt, Hawkins & Associates/MHA Group, and Diedre Moire.
$48,000 $385,000 Salary Distribution
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Top 20 National Employers
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Medical Director. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.
Employer Name | Location | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Elevate Healthcare Consultants | Tennessee | $325,000 |
Fidelis Partners | Pennsylvania | $325,000 |
Sierra Providence Urgent Care Center Sunland – EM | Texas | $320,000 |
Sierra Providence Urgent Care Center | Texas | $320,000 |
Envision Physician Services | Texas | $320,000 |
Innovative Management Solutions | Maryland | $310,000 |
iPlace | Arizona | $302,200 |
The Atlantic Group | New Hampshire | $300,000 |
Enterprise Medical Recruiting | Washington | $300,000 |
ANTHC | Alaska | $300,000 |
Northeast Healthcare Recruitment, Inc. | Massachusetts | $300,000 |
Staff Physician Recruiter | New York | $300,000 |
Marsh Group | New York | $300,000 |
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services | Michigan | $300,000 |
Alpha Medical Group | Indiana | $300,000 |
New England Physician Recruitment | Connecticut | $288,928 |
CRS Recruiting | Washington | $287,833 |
Learn More
- Medical director – Wikipedia
- The Function of a Medical Director in Healthcare …
- Medical Director | Rowan County
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