The results are in: 2009 residency coordinator salary survey

By: Julie McCoy September 14th, 2009

With an economy on the rocks, health care reform making its way through Congress, and funding for GME being scrutinized, it’s not a surprise that our annual coordinator salary survey got a record 579 responses. Here are some highlights from this year’s survey.

The good news is that more coordinators report earning higher salaries in 2009 than in previous year’s. The following is a breakdown of respondent salaries:

6% earn less than $30,000
35% earn $30,001–$40,000
35% earn $40,001–$50,000
16% earn $50,001–$60,000
6% earn $60,001–$70,000
2% earn more than $70,000

With salaries ranging from less than $30,000 to more than $70,000, there are several factors that influence coordinator compensation, including institution-type. Survey results show that:

65% of respondents work in academic- or university-affiliated hospitals
24% of respondents work in community-based facilities in rural, urban, and suburban areas
4% of respondents work in specialty hospitals
1% of respondents work in military facilities
5% of respondents listed other

Location also affects coordinator salaries.

Location also affects coordinator salaries. The Pacific and Northeast regions had the highest percentages of coordinators making $60,001–$70,000, 16% and 13% respectively. Respondents living in South Central made less money than any other region, with 89% reporting they make $50,000 or less.

Additionally, there may be a correlation between Training Administration in Graduate Medical Education (TAGME) certification and pay.

The number of respondents certified by TAGME or currently pursuing certification is up this year from 2008. According to 2008 data, only 1% of respondents were certified and 7% were pursuing certification. This year’s survey results show that:

7% of coordinators are certified
9% are currently pursuing certification
22% would like to become certified, but it is not available in their specialty
61% said they were neither certified nor pursuing certification

Although institutions vary in whether they recognize coordinator certification with higher pay or bonus, 78% of certified coordinators make more than $40,001. Only 59% who answered they are not certified make more than $40,000.

Although the recession hasn’t seemed to negatively affect coordinator salaries, it seems to be having an effect on raises. When asked how the current economic situation has affected coordinator pay, respondents said:

53% did not receive a raise this year
16% said this year’s raise was equal to 2008
13% said this year’s raise was smaller than 2008
3% said this year’s raise was higher than 2008
2% said their salary was decreased
19% listed other

For more on coordinator salary survey results, download a copy of the raw data.

RPA subscribers: Refer to the August 2009 issue of RPA for full coverage of the survey results and analysis of coordinator salary trends.

What do you think of our results? Leave your comments in the box below.

Comments(5) Program Management, Residency News, Residency Program Alert

Comments

By Rowena Brown on September 15th, 2009 at 10:14 am

Thank you for this informative newsletter. I find it to be extremely helpful.

By Ann K on September 15th, 2009 at 10:33 am

I found this information very enlightening. Thank you so much for sharing and compiling the information.

By Toni Haddad on September 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 am

The thing to keep in mind, I believe, what “other” position does the Coordinator hold? I’ve been at meetings where their Coordinator was PA. That certainly impacts the salary amount. In terms of certification, I am relatively certain there would not be extra money in my institution. When I pursue the Certification, it will be for my personal growth and development. If a monetary token is attached to that, great — I’m not expecting it, though.

By Connie Cummins on September 28th, 2009 at 9:25 am

Certainly this is dreaming, but I wish the ACGME would support the coordinators so that institutions would have to set up their positions correctly– proper workspace, job description, salary, etc.

By Jeri L. Whitten, C-TAGME on September 29th, 2009 at 7:11 am

I think the recent decision by the ACGME to institute the Coordinators Excellence Award is their public acknowledgement of the value of coordinators to the GME process. Hopefully, this should help stimulate institutions to realize our value as well.