Directors of assisted living/personal care who work in continuing care retirement communities, also known as life plan communities, saw an average pay increase of 3.27% in 2017, according to the “Continuing Care Retirement Community Salary & Benefits Report 2017-2018” issued by the Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service in cooperation with LeadingAge.

The average national salary for the position went from $68,024 in 2016 to $70,249 (national average range, $59,504 to $84,542) in 2017, based on information submitted by communities that participated in the research both years.

Slightly more than 60% (60.2%) of the 532 CCRCs participating in the research reported offering assisted living and personal care.

The region offering the highest pay for assisted living/personal care directors at CCRCs includes New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. There, salaries average $64,902 to $91,493.

The region offering the lowest pay for the position includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. There, salaries average $50,232 to $68,388.

Data were sufficient and available for six of the nine regions into which the report divides the country.

The 20th annual study provides compensation data on more than 80,000 employees, covering 34 management and 52 nonmanagement positions. Findings are reported according to revenue size, total unit size, geographic region, state and core-based statistical areas. The report also includes data on 18 types of fringe benefits, turnover rates by department and projected salary increases by department.

Eighty-two percent of participating communities were not-for-profit (43% of which reported being religiously affiliated), and 18% were for-profit.

The report is available for $350, although LeadingAge members may purchase it for $275.