An analysis by the Medical Group Management Association reveals that roles ranging from receptionists to licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and medical assistants in doctor practices and medical groups have experienced pay increases of 15% to 30% over the past five years.
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Physicians are now facing escalating labor costs while dealing with the increasing expenses of practicing medicine and reimbursement reductions.
The Medical Group Management Association’s analysis indicates that pay for various positions in doctor practices and medical groups, from receptionists to LPNs and medical assistants, has risen by 15% to 30% over the past five years.
This trend is occurring as medical groups and hospitals increasingly rely on allied health professionals to bridge care gaps amid a physician shortage. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates the U.S. could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
Akash Madiah, acting CEO of MGMA, noted, “Practices are in a phase where labor costs aren’t falling in a meaningful way, even as wage growth slows. The challenge isn’t just what staff are paid, it’s how difficult those roles are to fill and how much pressure that puts on the rest of the team. That’s why so many organizations are pairing compensation strategies with automation and workflow changes to make the workforce they have more sustainable.”
According to Madiah, the MGMA analysis highlights a more complex “labor equation” than doctor practices and medical groups have faced in years.
Madiah further explained, “Even as pay growth slows, the underlying pressure to recruit and retain staff hasn’t eased, especially in roles that are essential to keeping patients moving through the system. That’s forcing leaders to think beyond wages alone. They’re looking at workload, role design, and technology as part of a broader strategy to make their workforce sustainable.”
Here’s a look at key staff roles and how their compensation has grown over the last five years:
- Median total compensation for medical receptionists increased by 22.0%, from $36,529 in 2021 to $44,569 in 2025.
- Medical assistants saw a 20.6% rise in pay, from $39,339 to $47,440.
- LPNs experienced a 29.7% increase, from $46,592 to $60,438.
- Triage nurses’ compensation rose by 15.3%, from $66,934 to $77,196.
