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62% of US clinicians live paycheck to paycheck

62% of US clinicians live paycheck to paycheck

Amrita Ahuja
| January 16, 2025

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US clinicians are facing financial challenges, according to a survey released Jan. 16 by Everee, a payroll software provider for the staffing industry, and StaffUpApp, a staffing platform.

The survey found more than half of US clinicians who responded to the survey, 62%, live paycheck to paycheck. Nearly three-fourths of respondents, 74%, feel underpaid, and 72% wish to be paid more frequently.

Growing dissatisfaction with compensation structures has led to a rise in clinicians considering temporary work, with 67% of those who are eyeing a job change preferring temporary roles over permanent ones, up from 55% in 2023.

Top reasons clinicians cited for choosing temporary work include:

  • Higher pay
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Better work-life balance
  • Faster pay
  • Opportunities to travel

Over half, 61%, of clinicians reported they would choose an agency offering same-day pay; similarly, 67% of recruiters believe same-day pay significantly improves talent attraction and retention.

Technological preferences also emerged. Sixty-two percent of clinicians prefer mobile apps for managing schedules and timesheets over desktop tools or paper methods.

“Healthcare workers are sounding the alarm that traditional pay structures and rigid roles are no longer working,” said Brett Barlow, co-founder and CEO of Everee. “Clinicians want faster pay, more flexibility and technology that meets them where they are. Agencies that embrace these changes won’t just attract talent; they’ll redefine what it means to care for the people who care for us.”

Here are the top factors clinicians consider when choosing an agency:

  • Competitive pay rates
  • Variety of job options
  • Quick and easy scheduling
  • Transparent communication and support
  • Fast onboarding

On the flip side, clinicians cited delays in assignment placement and inaccurate job details as their top frustrations with staffing agencies, followed by difficulty with shift scheduling, poor communication with recruiters, lack of support during assignments and time-tracking issues.

Another important finding: AI is emerging as another game changer. Recruiters believe AI can improve their roles by providing data-driven insights, accelerating the hiring process, improving candidate screening and matching accuracy, automating repetitive tasks and reducing bias in hiring.

The survey includes responses from 500 clinicians and recruiters in the US.