As in most industries, professionals and managers working in health services typically earn more than other workers in the industry. Earnings in individual health services occupations vary as widely as the duties, level of education and training, and amount of responsibility required by the occupation (table 4). Some establishments offer tuition reimbursement, paid training, child daycare services, and flexible work hours. Health services establishments that must be staffed around the clock to care for patients and handle emergencies often pay premiums for overtime and weekend work, holidays, late shifts, and time spent on call. Bonuses and profit-sharing payments also may add to earnings.

Earnings vary not only by type of establishment and occupation, but also by size; salaries thus tend to be higher in larger hospitals and group practices. Geographic location also can affect earnings.
 

Although unionization is more common in hospitals, the health services industry is not heavily unionized. In 2002, only 11 percent of workers in the industry were members of unions or covered by union contracts, compared with about 15 percent for all industries.