Medical Director Salary

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 11 minutes
FIND SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
Reading Time: 11 minutes

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.

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Campbellsville University Logo
Campbellsville University
Featured Program: Campbellsville University offers programs for every professional in multiple areas and levels of study.
Request Info
Babson College Logo
Babson College
Featured Program: The full-time Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program trains future business leaders on state-of-the-art business analytics tools and techniques.
Request Info
University of Phoenix Logo
University of Phoenix
Featured Program: University of Phoenix offers more than 25 business degree and certificate programs aligned to 80 real-world business occupations.
Request Info
Southern New Hampshire University Logo
Southern New Hampshire University
Featured Program: Southern New Hampshire University offers a variety of online business degrees that can prepare you to take on a role in business management and help you develop critical leadership skills.
Request Info
Purdue University Global Logo
Purdue University Global
Featured Program: Purdue University Global’s career-focused curriculum is based on the latest industry advances to keep you competitive now and in the future.
Request Info

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.

  • Taking part in, mentoring, and representing the various teams within a medical setting in an effort to achieve the goals as set by the organization as a whole.
  • Working strategically on setting acceptable standards of practice, and developing methods to track how well goals have been achieved through a range of metrics.
  • Holding responsibility for all relevant regulatory activities, including FDA submissions, audits, crises, and inspections.
  • Being responsible for the recruitment and supervision of medical, maintenance, nursing, technical, and other relevant staff.

    • 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

    The national average salary estimate for Medical Director was $184,548. This number is estimated from over 991,024 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $96.12 and monthly of $15,379.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $54,000

    $392,000

    Salary Distribution

    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 Indiana New Mexico
    Alabama Kansas Nevada
    Arkansas Kentucky New York
    Arizona Louisiana Ohio
    California Massachusetts Oklahoma
    Colorado Maryland Oregon
    Connecticut Maine Pennsylvania
    DC Michigan Rhode Island
    Delaware Minnesota South Carolina
    Florida Missouri Tennessee
    Georgia Montana Texas
    Hawaii North Carolina Virginia
    Iowa North Dakota Vermont
    Idaho New Hampshire Washington
    Illinois New Jersey Wisconsin
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $111,000

    $369,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $102,000

    $307,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $57,000

    $365,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $71,000

    $404,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $56,000

    $386,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $75,000

    $376,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $84,000

    $423,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $82,000

    $480,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $91,000

    $377,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $34,000

    $343,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $54,000

    $361,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $124,000

    $374,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $14,000

    $301,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $34,000

    $266,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $62,000

    $401,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $83,000

    $387,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $85,000

    $365,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $7.25

    $68.55

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $93,000

    $357,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $86,000

    $379,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $72,000

    $429,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $65,000

    $386,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $85,000

    $409,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $64,000

    $440,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $65,000

    $466,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $56,000

    $350,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $34,000

    $377,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $104,000

    $341,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $56,000

    $419,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $83,000

    $368,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $53,000

    $391,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $75,000

    $423,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $55,000

    $391,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $53,000

    $381,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $32,000

    $372,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $55,000

    $335,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $44,000

    $389,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $53,000

    $316,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $63,000

    $378,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $69,000

    $403,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $32,000

    $362,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $63,000

    $376,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $97,000

    $338,000

    Salary Distribution
    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..

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $59,000

    $401,000

    Salary Distribution
    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.

    • .
    • .
    • .
    • Most Reported
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .
    • .

    $48,000

    $385,000

    Salary Distribution

    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

    Related Careers

    Career Name Average Salary
    Chief Medical Officer $185,835
    Chief Technology Officer $147,424
    Director of Engineering $138,182
    Director of Pharmacy $136,890
    Chief Marketing Officer $136,769
    Data Scientist $130,297
    Chief Financial Officer $130,123
    Quantitative Analyst $127,870
    Investment Banker $125,041
    Network Architect $123,709

    Henry Steele
    Managing Editor
    Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

    “It doesn't matter how many times you have failed, you only have to be right once.” - Mark Cuban