From February to March, Montana saw the sharpest decrease to average weekly travel nurse pay, and Idaho saw the sharpest increase, according to data shared with Becker's from Vivian, a healthcare career marketplace.

Certain schools make quite a difference to graduates' earnings, even if the chosen career and number of years in the field are the same.

Madera, Calif.-based Valley Children's Healthcare is pushing back against criticism of its compensation for top hospital executives. 

Gender pay gaps among healthcare workers are growing in complexity, and there are clear distinctions based on education level and specific occupation.

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare CEO Sam Hazen was paid 356 times more than the health system's median employee in 2023, according to a proxy statement filed March 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

CEO compensation surged at many S&P 500 companies in 2023, marking a significant rebound from the prior year's tepid growth, according to early findings from The Wall Street Journal.

Hospitals and health systems offer some of the highest wages for entry-level workers, going head-to-head with major companies in most states and large cities, according to a recent analysis. 

In 2023, HCA Healthcare's CEO and CFO saw overall compensation grow due to non-equity incentives, according to a proxy statement filed March 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

OhioHealth Van Wert (Ohio) Hospital increased minimum wage for hospital associates March 17 by $2 to reach $16 per hour.

By the end of March, Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network said it will be raising its minimum wage to $18 per hour.

Ballad Health is increasing pay rates for nursing staff at hospitals across the organization, a spokesperson for the Johnson City, Tenn.-based health system confirmed to Becker's.

Minimum wages vary across the U.S., and more than 20 states increased their minimum wages as of Jan. 1.

In 2023, men earned higher wages than women in 20 of the most prevalent occupations for women, including nursing, where they earned nearly $250 more per week, according to a March 7 report from the Institute for Women's Policy Research. 

Greenville, N.C.-based ECU Health is increasing starting wages for its new employees from $15 an hour to $16 an hour.

Springfield, Mass.-based Baystate Health is delaying annual pay increases typically effective in April each year for qualifying workers, citing financial challenges.

Pay for travel nurses continues to vary across roles and states.

A new Iowa bill would limit hospitals' and nursing homes' payouts to contract care staff. 

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has increased base salaries and updated compensation structures for several key executives, according to a Form 8-K filed with the SEC, 

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare revealed its plans for the 2024 Executive Officer Performance Excellence Program in a Feb. 26 Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

Healthcare has a concerning debt-to-income ratio, with current student debt for nurses and physicians equaling more than half of their current annual salary, according to a new survey of the professionals.