Allied professionals' salaries rise with demand - Industry Scan - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Healthcare Financial Management, May, 2002

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are being offered salaries that top what some physicians earn, according to a survey by Allied Consulting, Dallas, Texas. Based on 951 allied healthcare professional search assignments in 2001, the survey found that salary offers to CRNAs ranged from $90,000 to $180,000 in 2001, compared with $86,000 to $107,000 in 1997. Although CRNAs may earn more than primary care physicians such as pediatricians, they still earn considerably less than anesthesiologists, who are in short supply.

The survey also found that salaries for pharmacists ranged from $62,000 to $96,000 in 2001, compared with $52,000 to $79,000 in 1997. The demand for pharmacists has abated slightly in the past eight months, according to Allied Consulting. Although new drug therapies and the aging population will keep demand for pharmacists high for years, the dramatic demand for pharmacists in 2000 and 2001 appears to have ended.

The shortage of registered nurses and nurse managers continues to be acute in most regions of the country. Registered nurses received salaries ranging from $39,600 to $53,000 in 2001, compared with a range of $30,000 to $44,100 in 1997, according to survey findings.

The survey also found that demand for imaging technologists continues to be high, with demand in recent months particularly high for technologists with training in cutting-edge modalities such as dosimetry, medical physics, and radiation therapy. Signing bonuses were offered in 74 percent of recruiting assignments reviewed in the survey, with allied professionals receiving an average bonus of $3,200. Continuing education was offered as an incentive in 88 percent of searches reviewed, with an average allowance of $1,500 offered to allied professionals.

The top 10 recruited allied health professional specialties are pharmacist, CRNA, radiologic technologist, ultrasound sonographer, program director, nuclear medicine technologist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, radiation therapist, and registered nurse.