New data underscores growing shortage of qualified applicants medical practices are experiencing
Included in the new survey data is the finding that staff in nursing positions have seen a large increase in total compensation. Since 2015, the national median total compensation for those working in nursing positions has risen from $48,000 to $57,000, a nearly 19 percent increase.
“As evidenced in the MGMA DataDive Provider Compensation data released last month, the United States’ growing physician shortage has led to an increased reliance on non-physician providers,” said Ken Hertz, Principal Consultant at MGMA. “Consequently, this has driven more demand for staff in nursing positions and, in turn, is part of the reason we see this increased value the market has placed on staff in these positions.”
The data also shows that total compensation for nonclinical staff continues to rise. Of the 12 staff position roll ups reported, MGMA surveyed, 11 have seen increases in total median compensation since 2015. As with nursing positions, demand for nonclinical staff is higher than ever. Earlier this year, an MGMA Stat poll found that 61 percent of respondents said their organization had experienced a shortage of qualified applicants for nonclinical positions in the past year.
“We’ve seen this trend continue across medical practices for several years now: demand for qualified staff is growing, while supply is shrinking,” said Hertz. “Aging staff across the healthcare industry are retiring at a higher rate than new ones are being trained to replace them. While medical practices of all sizes are struggling to keep up, many are trying to stay ahead of the curve by offering higher wages and more incentives to attract and retain the talent they need.”
Based on comparative data from over 139,000 professionals in over 2,650 organizations, the 2018 MGMA DataDive Management and Staff Compensation data is the most comprehensive sample of any medical practice compensation survey in the United States. The survey represents a variety of practice types including physician-owned, hospital-owned, academic practices, as well as staff and management from across the nation at small and large practices.
The MGMA DataDive Management and Staff Compensation data is the most trusted compensation survey in the U.S., undergoing a rigorous evaluation and inspection. Learn more at www.mgma.com/data.