Patient advocates battle for those suffering from an illness.
A patient advocate, also known as a patients' rights advocate, serves as a mediator, and represents those suffering from long-term illnesses. A relatively new career, the position is expected to see significant job growth in Indiana and nationwide, especially as the population ages.
Salary
The online career search resource, Simply Hired, indicates that as of July 2010, the average annual salary for a patient advocate in the state of Indiana is $40,000. This is lower than the United States median salary of $44,000 for patient advocates. Both numbers will vary slightly based upon the experience and education level of the employee, in addition to the employer sector and region of the state.
Salary Survey
In another national study in 2008, the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy surveyed 173 patient advocates who reported an average base salary of $51, 895. "Those who held doctorates made the most ($70,000 to $75,000); master's-degreed advocates made $55,000 to $60,000, while those with bachelor's degrees were in the $50,000 to $55,000 range," writes the education website GetEducated.com. Three advocates indicated earnings of less than $30,000 annually.
Outlook
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track the patient advocacy job statistics; instead, it includes the career in the "social work" category, a sector expected to see an increase in employment opportunities of 16 percent between 2008 and 2018.
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