Senior Living and Assisted Living Salaries: A State-by-State Comparison
With so many employees leaving their jobs in the wake of the Great Resignation, it's essential to offer a competitive salary to attract and retain talent. However, salaries can vary widely based on a number of factors. How can you be sure that your senior living or assisted living community is offering an attractive enough compensation package to potential candidates? Regardless of your location in the U.S., we have all the information you need to determine the appropriate compensation that will make your community the top choice for top talent.
Common Roles in Senior Living and Assisted Living Communities
Before we look at the numbers, let’s first understand the typical job roles required in the senior care or assisted living community:
- Senior living administrator: Oversees staff members, budget, and scheduling and is responsible for the safety and well-being of residents. The official title could be executive director, CEO, or president.
- Assisted living manager: Oversees daily operations, supervises employees, supports resident care, manages vendor relationships, and more. Could also be known as operations director or operations manager.
- Marketing director: Markets and promotes the senior housing community to prospective residents and families, manages public relations, and schedules advertising.
- Activities director: Responsible for scheduling and managing recreational or enriching activities for residents (and occasionally loved ones). An activities director is sometimes called an enrichment director.
- Activities coordinator: Responsible for implementing the plan and schedule of the activities director.
- Director of nursing: Leads the team of caregivers in a senior living or assisted living community. Also known as a DON.
- Registered nurse: Works exclusively with residents as a licensed caregiver to ensure continuity of care. Also known as an RN.
- Licensed practical nurse: Offers basic medical care, takes vital signs, and helps with bathing or feeding. Also known as an LPN, a licensed practical nurse often reports to an RN.
- Certified nursing assistant: Provides aid to RNs and LPNs by assisting in patient care. Also known as a CNA, this entry-level support role can help with resident transport, wound care, answering resident questions, and more.
- Maintenance director: Responsible for the maintenance staff and has a duty to keep the community clean, safe, and running smoothly. A senior living maintenance director is sometimes referred to as an assisted living director.
- Dietary director: Responsible for managing the food service staff and creating healthy and nutritious dining options for residents. A dietary director is also known as a dietary manager or director of food service.
National Average Salaries for Senior Care Roles
Balancing your budget and managing your community’s finances is critical, but you also want to make sure you’re bringing in top-notch talent for your team. To help you make the best hiring decisions and find high-quality care, we’ve compiled the national U.S. average for each above role as of 2023. These numbers are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation's largest source of employee data. Take a look:
SENIOR CARE JOBS: NATIONAL AVERAGE SALARY
|
ROLE |
U.S. NATIONAL AVG. |
|
Senior Living Administrator |
$102,900 |
|
Assisted Living Manager |
$99,180 |
|
Marketing Director |
$89,010 |
|
Activities Director |
$60,400 |
|
Activities Coordinator |
$34,670 |
|
Director of Nursing (DON) |
$91,890 |
|
Registered Nurse (RN) |
$77,180 |
|
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) |
$61,390 |
|
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) |
$37,650 |
|
Maintenance Director |
$85,900 |
|
Dietary Director |
$81,060 |
State-by-State Salary Comparison
With the national averages in mind, let’s get a better idea of the specific salaries in your area. We’ve gathered data from ZipRecruiter and Zippia to break down each senior care role in all 50 states:
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: SENIOR LIVING ADMINISTRATOR
|
STATE |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|
Alabama |
$66,170 |
|
Alaska |
$75,356 |
|
Arizona |
$68,031 |
|
Arkansas |
$68,723 |
|
California |
$75,373 |
|
Colorado |
$86,844 |
|
Connecticut |
$67,144 |
|
Delaware |
$81,359 |
|
Florida |
$54,553 |
|
Georgia |
$61,642 |
|
Hawaii |
$72,864 |
|
Idaho |
$72,175 |
|
Illinois |
$80,539 |
|
Indiana |
$69,468 |
|
Iowa |
$66,684 |
|
Kansas |
$62,725 |
|
Kentucky |
$72,868 |
|
Louisiana |
$60,962 |
|
Maine |
$73,516 |
|
Maryland |
$78,765 |
|
Massachusetts |
$92,417 |
|
Michigan |
$71,868 |
|
Minnesota |
$69,822 |
|
Mississippi |
$66,619 |
|
Missouri |
$76,739 |
|
Montana |
$67,007 |
|
Nebraska |
$77,003 |
|
Nevada |
$71,253 |
|
New Hampshire |
$71,697 |
|
New Jersey |
$73,190 |
|
New Mexico |
$69,538 |
|
New York |
$80,429 |
|
North Carolina |
$74,550 |
|
North Dakota |
$74,242 |
|
Ohio |
$67,899 |
|
Oklahoma |
$74,571 |
|
Oregon |
$74,256 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$73,674 |
|
Rhode Island |
$68,779 |
|
South Carolina |
$76,121 |
|
South Dakota |
$70,167 |
|
Tennessee |
$64,824 |
|
Texas |
$71,754 |
|
Utah |
$64,824 |
|
Vermont |
$78,653 |
|
Virginia |
$80,068 |
|
Washington |
$87,764 |
|
West Virginia |
$56,899 |
|
Wisconsin |
$72,395 |
|
Wyoming |
$70,467 |
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: ASSISTED LIVING/OPERATIONS MANAGER
|
STATE
|
AVERAGE SALARY
|
|
Alabama
|
$53,539
|
|
Alaska
|
$74,156
|
|
Arizona
|
$55,045
|
|
Arkansas
|
$54,503
|
|
California
|
$60,547
|
|
Colorado
|
$68,937
|
|
Connecticut
|
$54,632
|
|
Delaware
|
$64,736
|
|
Florida
|
$44,140
|
|
Georgia
|
$49,876
|
|
Hawaii
|
$59,349
|
|
Idaho
|
$57,939
|
|
Illinois
|
$63,874
|
|
Indiana
|
$56,208
|
|
Iowa
|
$54,203
|
|
Kansas
|
$51,065
|
|
Kentucky
|
$57,711
|
|
Louisiana
|
$49,518
|
|
Maine
|
$59,110
|
|
Maryland
|
$62,687
|
|
Massachusetts
|
$73,103
|
|
Michigan
|
$57,063
|
|
Minnesota
|
$56,716
|
|
Mississippi
|
$54,234
|
|
Missouri
|
$61,002
|
|
Montana
|
$54,216
|
|
Nebraska
|
$61,329
|
|
Nevada
|
$70,115
|
|
New Hampshire
|
$57,920
|
|
New Jersey
|
$59,341
|
|
New Mexico
|
$56,424
|
|
New York
|
$65,002
|
|
North Carolina
|
$59,238
|
|
North Dakota
|
$60,467
|
|
Ohio
|
$55,137
|
|
Oklahoma
|
$59,392
|
|
Oregon
|
$60,467
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
$59,546
|
|
Rhode Island
|
$56,008
|
|
South Carolina
|
$60,486
|
|
South Dakota
|
$57,147
|
|
Tennessee
|
$52,640
|
|
Texas
|
$57,564
|
|
Utah
|
$52,666
|
|
Vermont
|
$63,503
|
|
Virginia
|
$63,771
|
|
Washington
|
$70,341
|
|
West Virginia
|
$45,988
|
|
Wisconsin
|
$58,746
|
|
Wyoming
|
$56,977
|
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: MARKETING MANAGER/DIRECTOR
|
STATE |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|
Alabama |
$82,116 |
|
Alaska |
$86,205 |
|
Arizona |
$84,427 |
|
Arkansas |
$64,939 |
|
California |
$75,190 |
|
Colorado |
$82,387 |
|
Connecticut |
$78,169 |
|
Delaware |
$77,965 |
|
Florida |
$67,697 |
|
Georgia |
$76,496 |
|
Hawaii |
$83,741 |
|
Idaho |
$71,795 |
|
Illinois |
$76,101 |
|
Indiana |
$86,209 |
|
Iowa |
$78,530 |
|
Kansas |
$72,501 |
|
Kentucky |
$68,446 |
|
Louisiana |
$72,370 |
|
Maine |
$73,616 |
|
Maryland |
$75,559 |
|
Massachusetts |
$86,341 |
|
Michigan |
$68,250 |
|
Minnesota |
$82,890 |
|
Mississippi |
$77,026 |
|
Missouri |
$73,240 |
|
Montana |
$83,154 |
|
Nebraska |
$74,098 |
|
Nevada |
$81,510 |
|
New Hampshire |
$73,196 |
|
New Jersey |
$88,753 |
|
New Mexico |
$83,588 |
|
New York |
$82,264 |
|
North Carolina |
$71,029 |
|
North Dakota |
$85,410 |
|
Ohio |
$80,889 |
|
Oklahoma |
$71,758 |
|
Oregon |
$85,587 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$75,368 |
|
Rhode Island |
$79,274 |
|
South Carolina |
$72,526 |
|
South Dakota |
$80,721 |
|
Tennessee |
$77,231 |
|
Texas |
$71,189 |
|
Utah |
$76,780 |
|
Vermont |
$80,119 |
|
Virginia |
$77,048 |
|
Washington |
$86,730 |
|
West Virginia |
$58,207 |
|
Wisconsin |
$86,948 |
|
Wyoming |
$88,109 |
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: DIRECTOR OF NURSING (DON)
|
STATE |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|
Alabama |
$91,692 |
|
Alaska |
$127,000 |
|
Arizona |
$94,271 |
|
Arkansas |
$93,343 |
|
California |
$103,694 |
|
Colorado |
$118,063 |
|
Connecticut |
$93,563 |
|
Delaware |
$110,866 |
|
Florida |
$75,595 |
|
Georgia |
$85,419 |
|
Hawaii |
$101,642 |
|
Idaho |
$99,225 |
|
Illinois |
$109,391 |
|
Indiana |
$96,262 |
|
Iowa |
$92,830 |
|
Kansas |
$87,456 |
|
Kentucky |
$98,838 |
|
Louisiana |
$84,805 |
|
Maine |
$101,232 |
|
Maryland |
$107,358 |
|
Massachusetts |
$125,197 |
|
Michigan |
$97,728 |
|
Minnesota |
$97,132 |
|
Mississippi |
$92,883 |
|
Missouri |
$104,473 |
|
Montana |
$92,851 |
|
Nebraska |
$105,033 |
|
Nevada |
$120,079 |
|
New Hampshire |
$99,194 |
|
New Jersey |
$101,628 |
|
New Mexico |
$96,631 |
|
New York |
$111,324 |
|
North Carolina |
$101,451 |
|
North Dakota |
$103,555 |
|
Ohio |
$94,427 |
|
Oklahoma |
$101,716 |
|
Oregon |
$103,558 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$101,979 |
|
Rhode Island |
$95,920 |
|
South Carolina |
$103,590 |
|
South Dakota |
$97,871 |
|
Tennessee |
$90,151 |
|
Texas |
$98,586 |
|
Utah |
$90,196 |
|
Vermont |
$108,757 |
|
Virginia |
$109,214 |
|
Washington |
$120,467 |
|
West Virginia |
$78,760 |
|
Wisconsin |
$100,610 |
|
Wyoming |
$97,580 |
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
|
STATE |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|
Alabama |
$76,359 |
|
Alaska |
$86,057 |
|
Arizona |
$78,508 |
|
Arkansas |
$65,561 |
|
California |
$87,901 |
|
Colorado |
$83,291 |
|
Connecticut |
$76,846 |
|
Delaware |
$96,183 |
|
Florida |
$62,954 |
|
Georgia |
$71,134 |
|
Hawaii |
$83,258 |
|
Idaho |
$84,254 |
|
Illinois |
$76,830 |
|
Indiana |
$80,165 |
|
Iowa |
$76,430 |
|
Kansas |
$71,723 |
|
Kentucky |
$68,959 |
|
Louisiana |
$69,943 |
|
Maine |
$85,622 |
|
Maryland |
$93,085 |
|
Massachusetts |
$86,826 |
|
Michigan |
$69,023 |
|
Minnesota |
$80,110 |
|
Mississippi |
$76,179 |
|
Missouri |
$74,196 |
|
Montana |
$77,325 |
|
Nebraska |
$90,909 |
|
Nevada |
$81,370 |
|
New Hampshire |
$82,932 |
|
New Jersey |
$84,203 |
|
New Mexico |
$79,910 |
|
New York |
$92,968 |
|
North Carolina |
$71,914 |
|
North Dakota |
$84,843 |
|
Ohio |
$77,937 |
|
Oklahoma |
$88,039 |
|
Oregon |
$84,878 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$85,157 |
|
Rhode Island |
$78,618 |
|
South Carolina |
$73,430 |
|
South Dakota |
$80,186 |
|
Tennessee |
$74,408 |
|
Texas |
$83,839 |
|
Utah |
$74,352 |
|
Vermont |
$91,051 |
|
Virginia |
$94,528 |
|
Washington |
$102,686 |
|
West Virginia |
$65,767 |
|
Wisconsin |
$83,184 |
|
Wyoming |
$81,400 |
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN)
|
STATE |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|
Alabama |
$55,197 |
|
Alaska |
$61,414 |
|
Arizona |
$56,750 |
|
Arkansas |
$46,696 |
|
California |
$64,348 |
|
Colorado |
$59,310 |
|
Connecticut |
$54,990 |
|
Delaware |
$56,287 |
|
Florida |
$45,507 |
|
Georgia |
$51,420 |
|
Hawaii |
$59,459 |
|
Idaho |
$61,751 |
|
Illinois |
$54,722 |
|
Indiana |
$57,948 |
|
Iowa |
$54,790 |
|
Kansas |
$51,266 |
|
Kentucky |
$49,134 |
|
Louisiana |
$50,203 |
|
Maine |
$62,582 |
|
Maryland |
$54,565 |
|
Massachusetts |
$61,884 |
|
Michigan |
$49,147 |
|
Minnesota |
$57,501 |
|
Mississippi |
$54,454 |
|
Missouri |
$52,815 |
|
Montana |
$55,895 |
|
Nebraska |
$53,556 |
|
Nevada |
$58,070 |
|
New Hampshire |
$60,119 |
|
New Jersey |
$60,643 |
|
New Mexico |
$57,471 |
|
New York |
$67,339 |
|
North Carolina |
$51,195 |
|
North Dakota |
$60,601 |
|
Ohio |
$55,972 |
|
Oklahoma |
$51,865 |
|
Oregon |
$60,644 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$61,677 |
|
Rhode Island |
$56,170 |
|
South Carolina |
$52,274 |
|
South Dakota |
$57,274 |
|
Tennessee |
$53,438 |
|
Texas |
$61,513 |
|
Utah |
$53,349 |
|
Vermont |
$66,068 |
|
Virginia |
$55,689 |
|
Washington |
$75,462 |
|
West Virginia |
$47,634 |
|
Wisconsin |
$59,817 |
|
Wyoming |
$58,912 |
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA)
|
State |
Annual Salary |
|
Alabama |
$37,071 |
|
Alaska |
$41,247 |
|
Arizona |
$38,115 |
|
Arkansas |
$31,361 |
|
California |
$43,217 |
|
Colorado |
$39,833 |
|
Connecticut |
$36,932 |
|
Delaware |
$37,803 |
|
Florida |
$30,563 |
|
Georgia |
$34,535 |
|
Hawaii |
$39,934 |
|
Idaho |
$41,473 |
|
Illinois |
$36,752 |
|
Indiana |
$38,919 |
|
Iowa |
$36,798 |
|
Kansas |
$34,432 |
|
Kentucky |
$32,999 |
|
Louisiana |
$33,717 |
|
Maine |
$42,031 |
|
Maryland |
$36,647 |
|
Massachusetts |
$41,562 |
|
Michigan |
$33,007 |
|
Minnesota |
$38,618 |
|
Mississippi |
$36,572 |
|
Missouri |
$35,471 |
|
Montana |
$37,540 |
|
Nebraska |
$35,969 |
|
Nevada |
$39,000 |
|
New Hampshire |
$40,377 |
|
New Jersey |
$40,728 |
|
New Mexico |
$38,599 |
|
New York |
$45,226 |
|
North Carolina |
$34,383 |
|
North Dakota |
$40,700 |
|
Ohio |
$37,592 |
|
Oklahoma |
$34,833 |
|
Oregon |
$40,729 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$41,424 |
|
Rhode Island |
$37,725 |
|
South Carolina |
$35,109 |
|
South Dakota |
$38,466 |
|
Tennessee |
$35,890 |
|
Texas |
$41,313 |
|
Utah |
$35,830 |
|
Vermont |
$44,372 |
|
Virginia |
$37,401 |
|
Washington |
$50,681 |
|
West Virginia |
$31,991 |
|
Wisconsin |
$40,175 |
|
Wyoming |
$39,567 |
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR
|
STATE |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|
Alabama |
$62,279 |
|
Alaska |
$68,875 |
|
Arizona |
$66,275 |
|
Arkansas |
$54,949 |
|
California |
$86,601 |
|
Colorado |
$50,941 |
|
Connecticut |
$80,764 |
|
Delaware |
$83,191 |
|
District of Columbia |
$74,802 |
|
Florida |
$57,314 |
|
Georgia |
$55,886 |
|
Hawaii |
$78,846 |
|
Idaho |
$56,843 |
|
Illinois |
$65,000 |
|
Indiana |
$76,785 |
|
Iowa |
$51,162 |
|
Kansas |
$62,242 |
|
Kentucky |
$62,871 |
|
Louisiana |
$58,902 |
|
Maine |
$85,328 |
|
Maryland |
$73,554 |
|
Massachusetts |
$82,770 |
|
Michigan |
$78,730 |
|
Minnesota |
$61,848 |
|
Mississippi |
$54,949 |
|
Missouri |
$55,677 |
|
Montana |
$52,598 |
|
Nebraska |
$52,208 |
|
Nevada |
$77,228 |
|
New Hampshire |
$75,370 |
|
New Jersey |
$91,826 |
|
New Mexico |
$59,841 |
|
New York |
$92,005 |
|
North Carolina |
$58,337 |
|
North Dakota |
$67,373 |
|
Ohio |
$64,399 |
|
Oklahoma |
$63,246 |
|
Oregon |
$61,739 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$90,163 |
|
Rhode Island |
$87,338 |
|
South Carolina |
$54,299 |
|
South Dakota |
$48,303 |
|
Tennessee |
$65,817 |
|
Texas |
$70,762 |
|
Utah |
$65,139 |
|
Vermont |
$88,061 |
|
Virginia |
$69,227 |
|
Washington |
$73,945 |
|
West Virginia |
$71,408 |
|
Wisconsin |
$65,643 |
|
Wyoming |
$54,572 |
STATE-BY-STATE AVERAGE SALARY: FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
|
STATE |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|
Alabama |
$99,479 |
|
Alaska |
$88,088 |
|
Arizona |
$84,979 |
|
Arkansas |
$78,826 |
|
California |
$121,156 |
|
Colorado |
$85,381 |
|
Connecticut |
$114,712 |
|
Delaware |
$110,747 |
|
District of Columbia |
$112,280 |
|
Florida |
$76,606 |
|
Georgia |
$103,728 |
|
Hawaii |
$81,086 |
|
Idaho |
$96,606 |
|
Illinois |
$101,830 |
|
Indiana |
$107,666 |
|
Iowa |
$87,185 |
|
Kansas |
$72,337 |
|
Kentucky |
$87,478 |
|
Louisiana |
$95,043 |
|
Maine |
$121,290 |
|
Maryland |
$99,160 |
|
Massachusetts |
$117,537 |
|
Michigan |
$98,420 |
|
Minnesota |
$76,246 |
|
Mississippi |
$83,635 |
|
Missouri |
$88,994 |
|
Montana |
$78,313 |
|
Nebraska |
$82,139 |
|
Nevada |
$110,379 |
|
New Hampshire |
$124,892 |
|
New Jersey |
$125,694 |
|
New Mexico |
$94,269 |
|
New York |
$112,854 |
|
North Carolina |
$110,414 |
|
North Dakota |
$77,166 |
|
Ohio |
$99,665 |
|
Oklahoma |
$77,730 |
|
Oregon |
$97,142 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$107,822 |
|
Rhode Island |
$125,294 |
|
South Carolina |
$90,163 |
|
South Dakota |
$73,066 |
|
Tennessee |
$77,628 |
|
Texas |
$89,137 |
|
Utah |
$112,575 |
|
Vermont |
$111,602 |
|
Virginia |
$111,585 |
|
Washington |
$109,206 |
|
West Virginia |
$104,665 |
|
Wisconsin |
$106,058 |
|
Wyoming |
$86,287 |
The Highest and Lowest Paying States for Senior Care Workers
Those seeking jobs in senior care should be aware of the best and worst states to seek employment, especially when it comes to salary. Here, we’ve outlined the data on the highest and lowest-paying states for each role mentioned above:
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: SENIOR LIVING ADMINISTRATOR
|
Massachusetts |
$92,417 |
|
Washington |
$87,764 |
|
Colorado |
$86,844 |
|
Delaware |
$81,359 |
|
Illinois |
$80,539 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: SENIOR LIVING ADMINISTRATOR
|
Florida |
$54,553 |
|
West Virginia |
$56,899 |
|
Louisiana |
$60,962 |
|
Georgia |
$61,642 |
|
Kansas |
$62,725 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: ASSISTED LIVING OPERATIONS MANAGER
|
Alaska |
$74,156 |
|
Massachusetts |
$73,103 |
|
Washington |
$70,341 |
|
Nevada |
$70,115 |
|
Colorado |
$68,937 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: ASSISTED LIVING OPERATIONS MANAGER
|
Florida |
$44,140 |
|
West Virginia |
$45,988 |
|
Louisiana |
$49,518 |
|
Georgia |
$49,876 |
|
Kansas |
$51,065 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: MARKETING MANAGER OR MARKETING DIRECTOR
|
New Jersey |
$88,753 |
|
Wyoming |
$88,109 |
|
Wisconsin |
$86,948 |
|
Washington |
$86,730 |
|
Massachusetts |
$86,341 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: MARKETING MANAGER OR MARKETING DIRECTOR
|
West Virginia |
$58,207 |
|
Arkansas |
$64,939 |
|
Florida |
$67,697 |
|
Michigan |
$68,250 |
|
Kentucky |
$68,446 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: DIRECTOR OF NURSING
|
Alaska |
$127,000 |
|
Massachusetts |
$125,197 |
|
Washington |
$120,467 |
|
Nevada |
$120,079 |
|
Colorado |
$118,063 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: DIRECTOR OF NURSING
|
Florida |
$75,595 |
|
West Virginia |
$78,760 |
|
Louisiana |
$84,805 |
|
Georgia |
$85,419 |
|
Kansas |
$87,456 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: REGISTERED NURSE
|
Washington |
$102,686 |
|
Delaware |
$96,183 |
|
Virginia |
$94,528 |
|
Maryland |
$93,085 |
|
New York |
$92,968 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: REGISTERED NURSE
|
Florida |
$62,954 |
|
Arkansas |
$65,561 |
|
West Virginia |
$65,767 |
|
Kentucky |
$68,959 |
|
Michigan |
$69,023 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
|
Washington |
$75,462 |
|
New York |
$67,339 |
|
Vermont |
$66,068 |
|
California |
$64,348 |
|
Maine |
$62,582 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
|
Florida |
$45,507 |
|
Arkansas |
$46,696 |
|
West Virginia |
$47,634 |
|
Kentucky |
$49,134 |
|
Michigan |
$49,147 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
|
Washington |
$50,681 |
|
New York |
$45,226 |
|
Vermont |
$44,372 |
|
California |
$43,217 |
|
Maine |
$42,031 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
|
Florida |
$30,563 |
|
Arkansas |
$31,361 |
|
West Virginia |
$31,991 |
|
Kentucky |
$32,999 |
|
Michigan |
$33,007 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR
|
New York |
$92,005 |
|
New Jersey |
$91,826 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$90,163 |
|
Vermont |
$88,061 |
|
Rhode Island |
$87,338 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR
|
South Dakota |
$48,303 |
|
Colorado |
$50,941 |
|
Iowa |
$51,162 |
|
Nebraska |
$52,208 |
|
Montana |
$52,598 |
5 HIGHEST-PAYING STATES: DIETARY/FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
|
New Jersey |
$125,694 |
|
Rhode Island |
$125,294 |
|
New Hampshire |
$124,892 |
|
Maine |
$121,290 |
|
California |
$121,156 |
5 LOWEST-PAYING STATES: DIETARY/FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
|
Kansas |
$72,337 |
|
South Dakota |
$73,066 |
|
Minnesota |
$76,246 |
|
Florida |
$76,606 |
|
North Dakota |
$77,166 |
5 Factors That Influence Salaries in Senior Care
The data reveals that salaries for senior care can vary significantly from state to state. This raises the question: Why is this the case? To gain a comprehensive understanding of senior living staffing challenges and learn how to improve retention, let's examine the five key factors that determine salary levels:
Cost of Living
The cost of living in a given area is directly tied to inflation, but it doesn’t always impact an entire state. Cities and densely populated urban areas are often most susceptible to high living costs. Many employers in these areas offer a COLA (cost of living adjustment) to compensate for high prices with additional benefits or bonuses.
Demand for Senior Care
The demand for senior living employees is often concentrated in specific areas with larger populations of aging adults who need varying levels of care. This can lead to higher salaries but also greater competition among job candidates, especially if the demand exceeds the supply of qualified prospects, leading to staffing shortages.
Organization Type and Size
Higher-level or leadership roles tend to be paid more on average in larger senior living communities. However, these communities also have a greater need for lower-paying positions, such as LPNs, CNAs, and coordinators. Plus, assisted living communities and nursing homes typically require more skilled nursing providers like RNs, so salaries may be higher in those long-term care organizations.
Experience and Education
Of course, a candidate’s education and experience significantly impact their chances of getting a job offer and their initial salary offer. Generally speaking, when comparing two somewhat equal resumes, the candidate with more experience tends to receive a higher offer than one with a “better” education or a degree from a top school.
Unionization
Similar to other industries, unionized healthcare workers in the senior living industry enjoy higher pay and more benefits than non-unionized healthcare workers. However, a recent study reveals that unionization in healthcare has remained relatively low over the last decade despite the clear link to higher wages.
Calculate Your Annual Employee Staffing Costs
When it comes to salary, calculating the magic number for each healthcare worker is no easy feat. In reality, there probably isn't a "right" number, but it's helpful to understand how location and other factors impact average salaries for the job candidates you'll be considering as assisted living providers. Need more help? Eldermark has you covered. Check out our Employee Cost Calculator to get a more precise estimate of the salaries you should be offering your employees, and then plan your community’s finances around those figures.
