CCRC Exec Pay Grew More Than 3.4% in 2026

The top leaders of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and life plan communities on average grew their salaries by slightly more than 3.4% between this year and last.

On average, CCRC management saw a payday that was almost 3.3% higher on average than last year. Non-management roles saw similar bay bumps at a rate of 3.2%. According to the report, organizations are planning similar pay bumps ahead in 2027.

Industry trends

In general, operators of CCRCs have shifted their strategies from “reactive crisis” and “management/strategic investment” to “strengthening service quality and resident satisfaction.”

“After navigating initial survival challenges, stabilizing executive leadership, and establishing sustainable recruitment/training practices, CCRCs are building upon their solid foundation of care to further enrich the complete resident experience,” HCS noted in a press release.

Hiring strategies

CCRC operators are using sign-on bonuses to attract new workers but at a lower rate than previously due to a more stable hiring landscape today. Very slightly over half (50.2%) of participating communities said they offered sign-on bonuses, compared to the 55.70% in 2025, 56.60% in 2024 and 64.19% in 2023 that said the same. That suggests hiring issues are not as acute as they once were for the sector, according to HCS.

Operators are making improvements in turnover for a number of frontline positions. For example, turnover rates for dining services employees have fallen to 40.87% in 2026, down from 54.48% in 2022.

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