The average hourly wage that caregivers and certified nursing assistants are willing to work for has increased, according to the latest data released by myCNAjobs. The findings could mean that long-term care providers will have an even tougher time finding nurses amid a caregiver shortage.
Caregivers are now willing to work for $12.68 per hour, which is an increase from last year’s $11.72, the Tampa-based recruitment firm’s 2020 National Caregiver Wage Report found.
The report also found that CNAs are now willing to work for $13.34 — an increase from last year’s $12.34.
The findings point to nurses having the upper hand on providers during the hiring process, especially as long-term care industry grapples with an ongoing caregiver shortage, said myCNA jobs CEO Brandi Kurtyka.
Only 8% of the current caregiver workforce has indicated they want to work for long-term care providers, according to Kurtyka. Just 22% have stated they want to work inside assisted living facilities.
“So there’s a market shortage, a small percentage of caregivers that identify as wanting to work in long-term care, and you have outside industries that pay more. Long-term care providers are going to have a harder time recruiting and retaining nurse aides this year than they did last year,” Kurtyka told McKnight’s.
“Increasing wages will make it more challenging to recruit and retain caregivers,” she added.
With it now being an “employee-driven market,” Kurtyaka suggested that long-term care operators compete harder in the wages department as they work to ensure their business processes can recruit and retain caregivers.
“The reality is that home care and senior living providers are now competing with companies that pay more, offer better benefits and can get someone out on a job within a few short days,” she said.
