As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hospice Executive Director in the United States is $137,292 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.
However, a Hospice Executive Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Hospice Executive Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Hospice Executive Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Hospice Executive Director | $127,556 |
| Intermediate Level Hospice Executive Director | $128,862 |
| Senior Level Hospice Executive Director | $131,038 |
| Specialist Level Hospice Executive Director | $133,215 |
| Expert Level Hospice Executive Director | $136,805 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Hospice Executive Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 14% |
| Clinical Leadership | 3.16% |
| Quality Assurance | 1.81% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Drug Enforcement
|
$179,853 |
31%
|
|
Record Keeping
|
$162,005 |
18%
|
|
Medical Management
|
$157,886 |
15%
|
|
Quality Management
|
$151,021 |
10%
|
|
Social Work
|
$151,021 |
10%
|
|
Risk Management
|
$146,902 |
7%
|
For Hospice Executive Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Hospice Executive Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Hospice Executive Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $164,750 | $79.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hospice Executive Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Hospice Executive Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $127,144 and $136,597).
Hospice Executive Director Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.2% |
| High School | 1.2% |
| Associates | 14.1% |
| Bachelors | 36.5% |
| Masters | 47.1% |
| Doctorate | 1.2% |
Understanding how a Hospice Executive Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Salaries for a Hospice Executive Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $162,063 in 2023 to around $136,597 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hospice Executive Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $162,063 |
| 2024 | $144,740 |
| 2025 | $136,597 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Hospice Executive Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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