Healthcare executive pay continues to grow amid increased demand for leadership talent, according to a survey from SullivanCotter. The median base salary for all healthcare executives climbed 4.7%, up from 4.6% the previous year.
The survey, published Oct. 1, is based on compensation data from more than 3,320 healthcare organizations on nearly 48,000 incumbent managers and executives.
This year’s survey found that the median base salary for healthcare executives increased year over year as organizations respond to shifting payer dynamics, federal policy changes, regulatory scrutiny, and ongoing inflation and workforce shortages.
Amid this complex environment, SullivanCotter research found that less than half of health systems (42%) expected improved financial performance this year, and nearly 90% of survey respondents indicated that their executive recruiting efforts will hold steady or increase.
“The competition for senior leadership talent remains intense, particularly as organizations look ahead to new strategic priorities in areas like digital transformation, workforce strategy, and patient access,” Bruce Greenblatt, managing director and executive workforce practice leader at SullivanCotter, said in a news release. “As boards and executive teams plan for 2026 and beyond, compensation programs must evolve to reflect these shifting requirements while helping to retain high-performing leaders.”
Here are three more things to know, per the release:
1. At the system level, median executive pay increased 5.2%, higher than at subsidiary hospitals (4.7%).
2. Healthcare executives in roles tied to core business and clinical operations — IT and digital strategy, patient and workforce experience, and regulatory/compliance — saw the most significant increases in median base salary, at 7% or higher.
3. More organizations are beginning to report on new or expanded leadership roles driven by artificial intelligence, analytics, digital innovation, population health and community access, indicating a shift in strategic priorities and talent requirements.
