Long-term care, home care rehab directors, physical therapists see modest salary increases

Director of rehabilitation salaries increased 4.22% year-over-year in the long-term care sector—nursing homes and short-term rehabilitation facilities—and 3.52% in home health agencies, according to the 16th annual Rehabilitation Salary & Benefits Report released Tuesday by the Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service. 

Physical therapist rates increased 3.33% year-over-year in the long-term care sector and 2.32% in home health agencies. Data reflect rates as of June.

The increases are modest compared with other workers, such as nurses, who also are seeing sign-on bonuses. 

“Many therapy jobs were put on hold during COVID, so it’s more that they are just returning to work. There isn’t a shortage for therapists as there is for RNs or aides, so the higher increases haven’t been necessary for those jobs,” HCS Director of Reports Rosanne Zabka told the McKnight’s Business Daily.

Anecdotally, she said, there has been an increase in companies hiring certified occupational therapy assistants and physical therapy assistants over occupational therapists and physical therapists.

“It’s a cost-saving measure we’ve noticed facilities using the past few years,” Zabka said.

In 2021, the average salary for a director of rehabilitation was $95,680. In 2022, it was $99,715. Home health rehab directors earned, on average, $107,012 in 2021 and $110,777 in 2022.

In long-term care facilities, the highest hourly rate was in California, at $50 per hour. 

The lowest hourly rate for physical therapists was in North Dakota, where the rate at the 50th percentile was $38.20. The lowest reported rate for home health agencies was in Wisconsin at $38.75 per hour.

By comparison, in hospitals, the lowest hourly rate of $40.20 was in Kentucky and the highest was reported in California, at $57.54.

The full report covers data from 2,753 total facilities: 785 long-term care facilities, 592 home health agencies and 376 hospitals. The report covers 19 therapy jobs, salaries, bonuses, hourly and per diem rates. Information related to 10 fringe benefits is included in the study. The report is available for purchase on the HCS website.