08/14/2025

Nursing Home Administrator Salaries Rise as Turnover and Bonuses Decline

The average annual salary for nursing home administrators has climbed to $134,000, according to the latest industry compensation and staffing data. While wages have increased, turnover and hiring incentives are trending downward.

Leadership Stability Improving
Turnover among executive leadership has dropped significantly, from 31.97% in 2024 to 22.12% in 2025. Similar declines are seen across many staff roles, signaling improved retention efforts. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) continue to have the highest turnover rates, though their rate dipped slightly from 44.16% to 42.34%.

Sign-On Bonuses See Cuts
Fewer facilities are offering sign-on bonuses — down from 65.44% to 55.61% this year. For positions where bonuses remain, amounts have shifted: RNs, LPNs, and CNAs saw modest increases in bonus size, while Directors of Nursing and support staff such as dining, kitchen, and housekeeping workers saw reductions.

Industry Outlook
The data suggests a market where competition for skilled leadership remains strong, but hiring incentives are being scaled back as turnover slows. Retention strategies, workplace culture, and steady wage growth may be playing a larger role than one-time hiring perks in staffing stability.

Read the full article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.