Plastic surgery is the highest-paying physician specialty, according to Medscape's 2021 Physician Compensation Report. 

On average, compensation for full-time practicing advanced practice registered nurses increased in 2020 compared to the year before, according to a report released Dec. 3 by Medscape.

Amid efforts to recruit and retain workers, hospitals and health systems are investing in employee compensation and benefits.

Centura Health is investing an additional $82 million in compensation and benefit changes for its 21,000 employees, the Centennial, Colo.-based health system announced Nov. 30.

While hospitals and health systems struggle with staff shortages, they're making major investments in employee compensation.

To retain and recruit employees, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health plans to spend $117 million for pay increases and bonuses, MiBiz reported Nov. 21.

Matthew Matthiessen, CEO of John C. Fremont Healthcare District in Mariposa, Calif., took a salary reduction this year after requesting that the board of directors continue a pay cut that he had started to take shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, the hospital announced in a news release.

Cam Patterson, MD, chancellor of the Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, was approved for a 33 percent pay increase by trustees, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported Nov. 18.

The average annual salary for registered nurses, excluding bonus pay such as overtime, climbed about 4 percent since Jan. 1 to $81,376, according to healthcare consultants Premier, which examined salaries of about 60,000 nurses for The Wall Street Journal.

Kelby Krabbenhoft, the former president and CEO of Sanford Health who abruptly departed in late 2020, received a more than $49 million payout, according to federal tax documents obtained by Forum News Service.

The unique business challenges created by the pandemic have made companies more willing to pay up for those with the right skills, as MBA graduates saw their median income soar, The Wall Street Journal reported Nov 15. 

Advocate Aurora Health will invest $93 million to boost its minimum hourly wage, the health system said Nov. 11.

The former CEO of Campbell County Health in Gillette, Wyo., has received $675,000 as part of her contract-obligated severance package. 

Bellevue, Wash.-based Overlake Medical Center & Clinics is investing $23 million in its workforce, which includes retention bonuses and a minimum wage increase.

To recruit more employees, Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based DCH Health System is providing nurses with an $18,000 sign-on bonus, WVUA 23 reported Nov. 8.

As hospitals and health systems struggle with staff retention, some are increasing wages to attract employees.

To improve retention and recruitment, Bangor-based Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is increasing its minimum wage to $17 an hour, which will affect nearly 2,000 employees, the Bangor Daily News reported Nov. 5.

As healthcare organizations struggle with employee burnout and staff retention, they're making several changes to compensation.

Amid staffing strain during the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities are offering their employees bonuses to attract and retain staff and thank employees for their work.

Fishersville, Va.-based Augusta Health will spend $10.6 million on employee compensation improvements, which go into effect Dec. 5.