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2021 continued many of the pandemic challenges we face. The financial strain on healthcare providers continued even as the country began to reopen. For FQHCs, these organizations emerged as critical players in the fight against COVID-19 by targeting the nation’s most vulnerable patients with quality care and caring. How did COVID and the demands of a global pandemic affect healthcare salaries this year? What trends can we expect to see in 2022? Here are our salary predictions and 2022 outlook in the community health field.

Healthcare Trends Affecting Salaries Next Year

Nothing has changed in terms of the provider shortages that are coming. However, COVID did heavily impact behavioral health. Even as COVID ravaged the country, we know that substance abuse did not decline. We also saw increasing awareness of mental health issues surrounding the pandemic.

The increasing use of telemedicine is another trend that shows no signs of slowing. Over the past year, the use of these digital technologies has normalized to the point where many patients say they prefer virtual visits over in-person. However, access to high-speed internet remains an issue in some of the populations that FQHCs traditionally serve. As we enter 2022, a new infrastructure law earmarks government funding for broadband so that this trend may shift in the coming years.

How do these trends affect salaries? Here’s what we know so far:

• The demand for healthcare clinicians is not waning, even as burnout threatens the current staff.
• The future clinicians will need both bedside manner and webside manner, which is a skill with telehealth tools.
• Mental health awareness may place increasing strain on providers staffing up to offer these services.

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) recently published their 2021-2022 Healthcare Center Salary & Benefits Report. The data found:

• Chief Executive salaries have been steadily climbing, increasing 1.77 annually in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
• Salaries continue to vary by geographic location.
• The average salaries nationally in 2022 include:
  • Director of Pharmacy $124,716 (10^th percentile) to $179,453 (90^th percentile).
  • Nurse Care Manager $51,668 (10^th percentile) to $91,229 (90^th percentile).
  • Social Worker $44,283 (10^th percentile) to $79,140 (90^th percentile).
  • Dental Director $129,506 (10^th percentile) to $200,000 (90^th percentile).
  • Family Physician $153,599 (10^th percentile) to $237,933 (90^th percentile).
  • OB/GYN $153,599 (10^th percentile) to $237,933 (90^th percentile).
  • Internist $157,232 (10^th percentile) to $250,000 (90^th percentile).
  • Pediatrician $150,000 (10^th percentile) to $225,707 (90^th percentile).
  • Psychiatrist $150,944 (10^th percentile) to $309,670 (90^th percentile).
  • Psychologist $76,382 (10^th percentile) to $149,756 (90^th percentile).
  • Nurse Practitioner $90,000 (10^th percentile) to $124,800 (90^th percentile).
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner $101,146 (10^th percentile) to $150,000 (90^th percentile).
  • Physician Assistant $91,347 (10^th percentile) to $133,967 (90^th percentile).
  • Registered Nurse $51,275 (10^th percentile) to $82,037 (90^th percentile).
  • Certified Nurse Midwife $89,923 (10^th percentile) to $139,941 (90^th percentile).

UHC Solutions works hard to bring together talented, experienced healthcare professionals with high-performing community health facilities and FQHC’s around the country. Find out why our experts can help you find the best jobs serving your community. Call on us to see how we can help.