Medical practices struggle with persistent staffing shortages and pay gaps
A new 2025 Staffing & Salary Survey reveals persistent challenges in hiring and retaining qualified personnel for medical practices, with front desk and non-physician roles facing the most acute shortages.
Front desk staff remain the hardest positions to staff, according to the survey. The survey highlights that average salaries for front desk roles vary by region, with urban practices paying $18–$24 per hour while rural clinics often offer $14–$19, creating a disparity that makes recruitment harder in less competitive markets.
Non-physician providers, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, also face hiring hurdles. The survey found that experience directly impacts pay: providers with five or more years earn 15–20% more than those with less than two years in the role.
Financial incentives appear to be the most effective retention tool. One practice described in the survey offered bonuses tied to patient satisfaction scores, which reduced turnover by 12% over two years.
The data suggests that staffing shortages are not just a hiring problem but a systemic one. Practices with under 20 employees report the highest vacancy rates, while larger groups leverage economies of scale to offer better compensation. The survey does not yet address whether Medicare reimbursement reforms will push more clinics to adjust staffing levels, though early indications are mixed.
For now, the most immediate solution remains competitive pay and non-monetary benefits, though the long-term fix may depend on broader industry shifts in how medical practices structure their teams.
