Turnover rates and sign-on bonus usage continued to decline in 2026, while executive leadership and key department heads saw the largest compensation increases, according to the 2026-2027 Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report. The national study is published by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) in cooperation with LeadingAge and supported by AHCA.

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Based on trend data from participants who submitted data in both the current and prior year’s studies, compensation growth concentrated heavily in core administrative and operational leadership. This targeted wage growth underscores a deliberate effort by facility leadership to stabilize key department heads who directly influence financial strategy, employee retention, and resident quality of life, highlighting that frontline retention depends heavily on leadership quality. The positions receiving the highest percent increases included Nursing Home Administrators, CFOs, HR Directors, Directors of Staff Development, Life Enrichment Directors, Directors of Social Services, and Directors of Facility/Plant Operations.