Rising Compensation for Health System Leaders in 2024

April 28, 2025 - 07:52

Most chief executives and financial leaders at the largest public for-profit health systems in the country experienced a notable increase in their financial compensation from 2023 to 2024. This trend, however, did not apply to executives within organizations striving to recover from significant net losses.

In total, five major health systems allocated a substantial $78.1 million to their CEOs and an additional $26.8 million to their CFOs. This increase underscores the ongoing financial dynamics within the health sector, where leadership pay often reflects organizational performance and market conditions.

Interestingly, only one health system reported a decrease in executive compensation, a reflection of its struggle with hundreds of millions in losses throughout 2024. This situation highlights the varying financial health of health systems across the nation and the direct impact it has on the remuneration of their top leaders. As the industry continues to navigate challenges, the compensation landscape for health executives remains a topic of significant interest and scrutiny.