45 Hospitals and Health Systems Are Raising Worker Pay

At least 45 hospitals and health systems have announced pay raises for their workers since December 2025, according to a running tracker maintained by Becker's Hospital Review, which last updated the list on September 10.

The wave reflects sustained pressure on hospital labor costs, still the largest line item in most operating budgets. Union activity is a major driver. On September 1, more than 1,000 workers at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon ratified their first union contract, one of several deals pushing wages higher. Systems are also raising base pay and minimum wages to compete for nurses, technicians and support staff amid persistent shortages and high turnover.

For hospital executives, the trend signals that the post-pandemic labor market has not fully cooled. Higher wages help retention and cut reliance on expensive travel and contract staff, but they also squeeze margins already strained by flat reimbursement. Expect more systems to formalize raises as unions organize and workers press for better pay.