Spring 2005

NJAPA Salary Survey
by Robert J. Smaldore, ACC

As we did three years ago (as well as in the year 2000), during this spring’s annual NJAPA convention The Long Range Planning Committee conducted a salary survey. We are again pleased to offer to our members the all-important “hard numbers” that resulted from the survey, and review, at the end of the figures, some important points to consider.

View Results 2005 Salary Survey

Fall 2002 -
NJAPA SALARY Survey

It has been noted that many nursing homes cite low staffing, especially on the weekends. This also applies to the Activity Department. Weekend activities have been a focus of family members and of course the residents themselves, stating that there are not enough activities on the weekends. Usually there is only one staff person to provide activities for the entire resident population. Activity Directors struggle with this ever enduring problem.

In a recent survey finding...
COMMENTS: Not enough activity being offered to meet the residents' needs. Supplies not being utilized by the staff (other than activity staff). Complaints by family and residents. Individual resident's assessments, no team effort to meet low-functioning residents' needs. The need for in-servicing all staff on how to implement activities for one to one. Interventions to reduce anxiety and stress of the low-functioning resident. - These are only a few examples of the citations that were received.

In conclusion, be aware of what a surveyor will now be focusing on - Weekend Activities.

Sharon (Walters) Kelly, Legislation Chair

NJAPA Salary Survey

Spring 2002 -

As we did two years ago, during this Spring's Annual NJAPA Convention, The Long Range Planning Committee conducted a salary survey. We are pleased to offer to our membership, the all-important "hard numbers" that resulted from the survey, and review, at the end of the figures, some important points to consider.

Average Director's Salary (based on 61 responses)
Statewide Average Department Director's Salary: $35,463.00 ($17.04 per hr.)

Average Director's Salary by Region:
• North: .. $36,702.00 ($17.64 per hr.)
• Central: $36,460.00 ($17.52 per hr.)
• South: .. $33,228.00 ($15.97 per hr.)

High Salaries:
• $50,000 Monmouth County
.............. 18 Years Experience, ADC
.............. 120-150 Bed facility
.............. Staff of 15

Low Salaries:
• $21,000 Central New Jersey
.............. no cert. noted
.............. 1-60 Medical Day Care
.............. Staff of 3

• $50,000 Middlesex County
.............. 15 Years Experience, CTRS
.............. 240-100 Bed facility
.............. Staff of 12

• $20,000 Cumberland County
.............. 30 Years Experience, ADC
.............. Adult Day Care
.............. Staff of 2

Average Assistant Director's Salary
(based on 35 responses)
Statewide Average Salary: $26,800.00 ($12.88 per hr.)

Average Assistant Director's Salary by Region:
• North: .. $32,187.50 ($15.47 per hr.)
• Central: $24,048.00 ($11.56 per hr.)
• South: .. $25,817.25 ($12.41 per hr.)

High Salaries:
• $40,000 Burlington County
.............. ADPC
.............. 241-300 bed facility
.............. Staff of 30

Low Salaries:
• $18,200 Salem County
.............. no cert. noted
.............. 61-120 bed LTC facility
.............. Staff of 6

• $39,500 Passaic County
.............. ADC
.............. 300+ bed facility
.............. Staff of 21

• $18,720 Camden County
.............. no cert. noted
.............. 240 bed LTC facility
.............. Staff of 18

Average Activity Assistant's Salary
(based on 71 responses)
Statewide Average Salary: $21,220.04 ($10.20 per hr.)

Average Activity Assistant's Salary by Region:
• North: .. $21,778.40 ($10.47 per hr.)
• Central: $22,382.22 ($10.76 per hr.)
• South: ..$18,905.52 ($9.08 per hr.)

High Salaries:
• $36,000 Central New Jersey
.............. 12 Years Experience
.............. 240-300 bed facility
............

Low Salaries:
• $14,560 South Jersey
.............. 1+ Year Experience
.............. 1-60 bed LTC facility
.............. ($7.00 per hour-1 response)

• $32,000 Central New Jersey
.............. ADC
.............. 240+ bed State Facility
.............. Staff of 10

• $13,520 Cumberland County
.............. ? Years Experience
.............. 120-180 bed LTC facility
.............. ($6.25 per hour-1 response)

In reviewing the above figures, here are some points you might want to keep in mind. In the survey conducted at the Spring 2000 Convention, there were only a total of 76 responses in all three job categories. This year there were 167 responses, and the highest number of responses came from those who identified their position as Activity Assistant. By State Region, the gaps in salaries seems to be narrowing, especially between North and Central, NJ. Also, the vast majority of respondents, in all three positions, were working in LTC settings. Finally, I know from firsthand experience recently helping two NJAPA members, that utilizing this Salary Survey has, and can, result in a higher salary than expected. Good Luck to All!

Bob Smaldore, ACC, Long Range Planng Chair