CCRC Turnover/Wage Increases Normalize Toward Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2026 Report
Employee turnover rates in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)/Life Plan Communities continued their downward trajectory, according to the newly released 2026-2027 CCRC Salary & Benefits Report. After peaking during 2022/2023, turnover across all surveyed departments and jobs has been steadily declining, moving progressively closer to the standard pre-pandemic baseline levels observed prior to 2020. The national Report is published annually by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) in cooperation with LeadingAge.
Over the last few years, CCRC compensation strategies have shifted from reactive crisis management/strategic investment towards 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.
Increases for Director of Dining Services remained in the 4.0% range, going from a 4.51% hourly increase in 2025 to 4.22% in 2026. Hourly rates for Chef/Kitchen Managers increased to 4.73% in 2026 from 4.27% in 2025. Chefs saw an increase of 4.55% in 2026, up from 4.09% in 2025. Alongside rising wages, turnover rates for dining services employees have steadily improved, falling from 54.48% in 2022; 52.07% in 2023; 47.69% in 2024; 44.36% in 2025; and 40.87% in 2026. This positive trend is mirrored in vacancy rates, which decreased from 15.30% in 2023 to 12.05% in 2026.
Director of Dining Services Salary Comparison by Revenue Size
| Job Title | $15M - $19M | $20M - $29M | $30M - $49M | $40+M |
| Director of Dining Services | $82,118 | $96,000 | $114,909 | $121,366 |
National salaries by revenue size from the 2026-2027 CCRC Salary & Benefits Reports.
*Salaries represent the national 50th percentile of data.
Sign-on bonuses continue to be utilized as a means of attracting new personnel, although their prevalence has adjusted downward in alignment with the stabilized hiring climate. 50.23% of participating communities reported offering sign-on bonuses, representing a consistent multi-year contraction from 55.70% in 2025, 56.60% in 2024, and a high of 64.19% in 2023. This steady reduction further underscores that recruitment has become less of an acute operational struggle for CCRCs/LPCs.
This year marks the 29th annual year of publication of the Report. 495 CCRCs participated and provided compensation data on more than 90,190 employees, covering 47 management and 55 nonmanagement positions. 86.67% of study participants were not-for-profit facilities; 66.67% of not-for-profit respondents were religiously affiliated. The effective date of study data is March 1, 2026. Findings are reported according to revenue size, total unit size, region, state, and CBSA. The Report also includes 18 fringe benefits, turnover/vacancy rates by department, shift differentials, and projected salary increases by department for 2026 to 2027.
The CCRC Report is available for $400. The reduced price for LeadingAge members is $325. To order, visit the HCS website at www.hhcsinc.com or call (201) 405-0075.
The HCS Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report will be published in late July. The Assisted Living Report was released earlier this year. Both studies are supported by AHCA/NCAL.
HCS, founded in 1971, is recognized as the leader in national healthcare salary and benefits research. HCS conducts national and custom marketplace studies, publishing more than ten specialized Reports each year.