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Managed Care Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Managed Care Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Managed Care Director in the United States is $143,736 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

However, a Managed Care Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,661
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $133,422 to $154,689
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $124,032
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Managed Care Director Salaries

A Managed Care Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Managed Care Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Managed Care Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Managed Care Specialist (2-4 years): $55,244
  • Managed Care Supervisor (3-5 years): $85,139
  • Managed Care Director (5+ years): $143,736
  • SVP of Managed Care (5+ years): $195,681
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Managed Care Specialist2-4 years$55,244
Managed Care Supervisor3-5 years$85,139
Managed Care Director5+ years$143,736
SVP of Managed Care5+ years$195,681
View as Graph

How Do Managed Care Directors Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Managed Care Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $159,144.
  • California: $158,541.
  • Massachusetts: $156,428.

Top Paying Cities for Managed Care Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $181,294
  • San Francisco: $179,309
  • Oakland: $175,530

Managed Care Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Managed Care Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $152,464. While startup companies pay approximate $129,921.

Managed Care Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $129,921
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,149
Established 501~5000 $147,478
Enterprise 5000+ $152,464

Managed Care Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Managed Care Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Managed Care Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Managed Care Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Managed Care Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$172,483$83.020%

How Education impacts an Managed Care Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Managed Care Director enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Managed Care Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $150,135 and $161,081.

Managed Care Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Managed Care Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.2%
High School 2.2%
Associates 2.2%
Bachelors 28.9%
Masters 66.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Managed Care Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Managed Care Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$133,422
Average $143,736/year
$154,689
$11,119
Average $11,978/month
$12,891
$2,566
Average $2,764/week
$2,975
$64
Average $69/hour
$74
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $154,689 $12,891 $2,975 $74
Average $143,736 $11,978 $2,764 $69
25th Percentile $133,422 $11,119 $2,566 $64

Managed Care Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Managed Care Director

Next Role

For a Managed Care Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the SVP of Managed Care role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $195,681 - a projected growth of 36% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Managed Care Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Managed Care Director

Here are companies hiring for Managed Care Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Managed Care Director

1. Where can a Managed Care Director earn the most?

A Managed Care Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Managed Care Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Managed Care Director is $181,294.

2. What is the highest pay for Managed Care Director?

The highest pay for Managed Care Director is $164,661.

3. What is the lowest pay for Managed Care Director?

The lowest pay for Managed Care Director is $124,032.

4. What are the responsibilities of Managed Care Director?

Directs and oversees the team responsible for reviewing and negotiating managed care contracts. Reviews utilization reports and evaluates financial impacts to support contract negotiations and maintain care quality. Identifies patterns in service use and recommends strategies to improve efficiency and reduce expenses. Manages relationships with payers, monitors the contract performance, and proposes strategies for improving operations and optimizing revenue streams. Ensures that patient care delivered to members meets quality standards and complies with applicable regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Managed Care Director?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Managed Care Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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