2023 AcademyHealth Salary & Compensation Survey Report
This report brings transparency to pay in health services and policy research (HSR) and outlines findings from research conducted by the University of South Carolina.
Compensation is an important part of the career decision-making process, however it is often cloaked in mystery. To bring transparency to pay in health services and policy research (HSR), AcademyHealth collaborated with the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina to take a deep dive analysis into the Salary and Compensation Survey.
Salaries show predictable variations by career level
Across all the career levels, executive leadership roles commanded the highest compensation, followed by mid to senior-level professionals, then early career professionals.
| Career Level | Mean Annual Salary |
| Executive-level | $230,238 |
| Mid-career and senior-level | $138,602 |
| Early-career | $104,562 |
The survey also found that analysts and associates in the research track have lower salaries, with a mean of $85,827 and a median of $80,500.
Regional variances also exist, with higher earnings in the Northeast and West compared to the South.
Salary varies based on specialty area, with Health Economists at the top
The Salary and Compensation Survey also revealed the variation in salary based on specialty areas. Health economists, with a mean salary of $189,234, earn significantly more than those in health policy ($139,928). Additionally, those who specialize in health workforce, and dissemination, implementation, and impact also have lower earnings.
The 2023 AcademyHealth Salary and Compensation Survey underscores the importance of identifying compensation disparities and promoting pay equity within the health services and policy research field. In response, AcademyHealth launched the Salary Comparison Tool, which enables researchers to compare salary by career level, geographic location, and many other factors to bring into salary negotiations. The tool and report are open to AcademyHealth members only. Join now if you are not yet a member.