What Can You Do With a Master’s in Health Informatics?

Health informatics is one of the fastest-growing fields in modern health care — and for good reason. Its power lies in its combination of in-demand and meaningful disciplines such as data science, systems thinking, technology, and health care. It is technical and data-focused, but also draws in professionals who are mission-driven and looking to make a real difference in patients’ lives. 

As the industry undergoes rapid digital transformation — with telehealth, electronic health records (EHRs), and artificial intelligence now central to patient care — the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights is unquestionably critical. A master’s in health informatics degree positions professionals to meet this demand, serving as a valuable graduate degree in a competitive health care informatics job market. Graduates are prepared to step into health information management roles, pursuing data-driven, strategic, and leadership roles across hospitals, health systems, public health organizations, and tech companies. 

Whether coming from a background in clinical care, information technology (IT), or public health, earning a master’s in health informatics opens the door to diverse career paths and opportunities for advancement. With strong job growth projected across the health care informatics field, now is a great time to consider the possibilities this degree can offer.¹

Health informatics is also tied to public health informatics, which expands the focus from individual patients to entire populations. By analyzing big data, professionals in this area can identify trends, track Health informatics — or health care informatics — is all about using data, technology, and systems to make health care work better for patients, providers, and entire communities. It’s a broad field that looks at the big picture of how information flows across the health care setting, from EHRs to predictive analytics (like hospital readmission prediction or disease outbreak prediction) that help anticipate patient needs. It’s important to differentiate health informatics from clinical informatics, which is more narrowly focused on patient care. Clinical informatics specialists, who are often physicians in leadership roles like chief medical information officer (CMIO), concentrate on how technology directly supports doctors, nurses, and care teams at the bedside.

Both areas of health informatics share the same goal: improving care. Health informatics professionals and clinical informatics managers help streamline care delivery, cut unnecessary costs, protect data integrity, and work to ensure patients achieve better outcomes. You’ll find them working in a range of settings — hospitals and academic medical centers, insurance and payer organizations, health tech startups, and public health agencies such as the CDC, NIH, or state health departments.

outbreaks, and inform public health policy — demonstrating the power of informatics in shaping healthier communities.

Health informatics roles require a combination of technical expertise, analytical skills, regulatory knowledge, and strategic thinking. Employers are looking for professionals who can not only work with complex systems and data but can also connect and incorporate technology with patient care. 

Many health informatics master’s programs strengthen these skills through real-world practicum or capstone projects. Employers value the hands-on experience these programs offer because it demonstrates not only technical understanding but also a readiness to tackle real, complex challenges that emerge regularly in the modern health care environment.

There are a myriad of roles you can pursue with a master’s degree in health informatics — all with promising salary potential, job security, and benefits. Explore some of the top jobs in health informatics below.

A master’s degree in health informatics is a strategic launch pad into a career in a resilient, evolving field. Thanks to high growth projections and a dramatic shift toward data-driven health care, professionals with a master’s in health informatics are positioning themselves — and the health care systems they support — for long-term success. Let’s explore some industry trends below.

In short: yes. A career in health informatics offers job stability and a high return on investment, thanks to rapidly rising demand for skilled professionals in this niche area. According to AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) (American Health Information Management Association), health information professionals with four or more of their credentials reported earning an average of $114,000 annually.¹⁰ That’s a strong potential financial reward for expertise in this evolving field. 

And importantly, it’s a mission-driven path — one through which you can use data and systems to improve patient care and health care operations in a meaningful way. What’s more, as health care becomes increasingly digital — with growing reliance on AI and data analytics — roles in informatics are becoming undeniably future-proof.

Breaking into or advancing in health informatics starts with knowing where to look and how to stay connected. And there are plenty of dedicated resources tailored to the field. 

Professional Networks

Job Boards

Through targeted job searches and active participation in relevant networks, you’ll be better positioned to stay on top of industry trends, open doors to new opportunities, and build a lasting career in health informatics.