New National Survey Shows Double Digit Pay Increases for Caregivers

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Anna Mowry

A new national report found that the national average hourly rate for CNAs and RNs increased by over 10% from 2021 to 2022, with virtually all titles showing significant salary jumps credited to the pandemic and ongoing staffing shortages.

The national average hourly rate for CNAs increased by 11.15%, from $15.23 per hour in 2021 to $16.87 in 2022. RNs were close behind CNAs, with an average hourly rate that increased 11.1% to $34.58. LPNs saw an average increase of 9.4%, with hourly wages rising to $26.46.

Salary increases were also apparent for nursing home leaders, directors, and administrators. However, the bulk of the raises went to direct caregivers, as providers work to recruit and retain these professional caregivers.

The report also found that the national turnover rate for all nursing home employees is 48.5%, another significant increase from 2021 to 2022, with more than a 25% net rise.

The findings were included in the 45th annual Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report released last week by the Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Services (HCS). The report, created in cooperation with LeadingAge and the American Health Care Association, is the industry's largest annual salary survey and includes data from 1,283 nursing homes, covering over 119,000 employees.

The national study covers executive staff, nursing, therapy, aides, dietary, activities, social services, maintenance and administrative staff in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. The findings include salary increases, turnover rates, shift differentials, benefits, and sign-on bonuses. The full report is available for purchase on the HCS website, and LeadingAge members can receive a discount.

The Long-Term Care Imperative reported similar findings in a Minnesota survey conducted earlier this year. Their results showed that since the beginning of the pandemic, providers had increased caregiver wages by more than 10% and, in many cases, are using reserves to cover those and other increased costs. The conversation continues about how providers can sustain and continue these increases without permanent funding to support them. For more information on the Financial Survey conducted by the Long-Term Care Imperative in Minnesota, click here.