Career as an Assisted Living / Residential Care Facility Administrator
Assisted living facilities are sometimes thought of as upscale rest homes. Administrators of assisted living facilities have traditionally not been obliged to obtain a license. A trend toward requiring some type of state licensure is developing. As the second millennium opens, five states - Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, and South Carolina - have decided to license their assisted living administrators. Numerous additional states are considering taking similar action.
Salaries
Salaries of assisted living administrators are nearly equal to those of nursing home administrators, and sometimes even higher! Beginning salaries range from $40,000 to 55,000. A mid-career assisted living facility administrator should expect to make from $65,000 to $85,000, though some earn as much as $100,000. At present, assisted living / residential care facilities are not nearly as regulated as nursing homes. This factor, along with similarly good salaries is resulting in a considerable number of licensed nursing home administrators moving, or considering moving, to the as yet less stressful assisted living industry.
Regulations
Far fewer regulations must be observed on a daily basis in the assisted living setting. However, many states, and possibly the U.S. Congress are expected to enact additional relevant legislation over the next few years.