The CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) uses a star rating system to grade the quality of more than 4,000 acute care hospitals that treat Medicaid and Medicare participants. This rating methodology analyzes participating hospital data on various quality metrics, including mortality, patient safety, patient experience, the timeliness of care, and readmission rates. Applying a multi-step analytical process to compute a standardized score for each metric, the CMS then consolidates the scores into a unified quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the the scale's top score. Based on this analysis, as of September 27, 2025, only seven (7) acute care hospitals in the state of Massachusetts earned a five-star quality rating from the CMS. Listed alphabetically, here are the hospitals rated by the CMS as five-star quality acute care hospitals in Massachusetts:
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Recreational Therapist Pay in the Southwestern U.S.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released data showing that more than 14,620 recreational therapists were employed in the United States as of May 2024. Approximately 1,360 of them worked in the four-state Southwestern region. While all states in the region reported data, the national figures are based on incomplete data, as not all states submitted wage information for recreational therapists. The Southwest presented a mixed picture in terms of pay: Texas stood out, ranking among the top three states nationally for annual mean wages, while New Mexico and Oklahoma lagged behind, with wages falling below the national average. A closer examination of May 2024 BLS data reveals the following about recreational therapist pay in the Southwestern U.S.:
 | |
Recreational Therapist Pay in the Southwestern U.S. |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| AZ | 150 | $66,150 | 12th |
| NM | 90 | $62,190 | 15th |
| OK | 90 | $50,950 | 39th |
| TX | 1,030 | $81,870 | 3rd |
| U.S. | 14,620 | $62,644 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 8, 2025
Monday, October 6, 2025
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in California
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a star rating system to convey the overall quality of acute care hospitals that service Medicare and Medicaid participants. The CMS rating methodology examines hospital-provided data on various quality measures, computes a standardized score for each measure, and then combines those scores into a single, overall quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the top level on the scale. The specific quality measures examined include mortality experience, patient safety, readmission rates, patient experience, and the timeliness of care. Only hospitals that submit data used for the CMS rating methodology are eligible for an overall quality rating. As of September 20, 2025, there were twenty-five (25) acute care hospitals in the state of California that earned a five-star quality rating. Based on CMS analysis, here are the 25 five-star quality acute care hospitals in California (listed alphabetically):
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in California
- Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital
Location: Willits
View Rating Details - Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
Location: Oakland
View Rating Details - Location: Los Angeles
Friday, October 3, 2025
Speech Language Pathologist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's (BLS) most current occupational employment statistical data reported nearly 174,000 speech language pathologists (SLPs) working in the United States as of May 2024. Roughly 34,900 of those employed as speech language pathologists in the U.S. resided in the Mid-Eastern U.S., a region which includes five states and the District of Columbia. BLS data reveals the Mid-Eastern U.S. as one of the very best regions of the country for speech language pathologist pay, as the SLP annual mean wage level in the District of Columbia and all states topped the national average. Moreover, three Mid-Eastern states and the District of Columbia ranked among the ten best states in the nation for SLP annual mean wages. A closer look at BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about speech language pathologist pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S. region:
 |
| Speech Language Pathologist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S. |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| DC | 410 | $112,490 | 2nd |
| DE | N/A | $100,530 | 10th |
| MD | 3,720 | $98,120 | 16th |
| NJ | 7,660 | $109,310 | 4th |
| NY | 16,250 | $111,640 | 3rd |
| PA | 6,860 | $93,980 | 19th |
| U.S. | 173,910 | $91,089 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 3, 2025
Thursday, October 2, 2025
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in New Jersey
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) employs a star rating system to gauge the quality of more than 4,000 acute care hospitals that treat Medicaid and Medicare enrollees. This rating methodology analyzes data provided by participating hospitals on various quality metrics, including patient experience, mortality, the timeliness of care, patient safety, and readmission rates. The CMS applies a multi-step analytical process to compute a standardized score for each metric, then consolidates the scores into an all-embracing quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the the scale's highest score. Based on this analysis, as of September 13, 2025, only three (3) acute care hospitals in the state of New Jersey earned a five-star quality rating from the CMS. Listed alphabetically, here are the hospitals rated by the CMS as five-star quality acute care hospitals in New Jersey:
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in New Jersey
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Healthcare Social Worker Pay in the Southwest
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently published data indicating that, as of May 2024, there were more than 185,900 healthcare social workers (HSWs) employed in the U.S. Nearly 17,400 of those HSW jobs were in the four-state Southwest region of the country. BLS data further reveals the Southwest to be an average one for healthcare social worker pay. Although Oklahoma ranked among the ten worst states for HSW annual mean wage levels, less than 15% of the region's healthcare social workers worked there. A significant majority of the region's healthcare social workers were employed in the other three states in the U.S. Southwest, and all three had HSW annual mean wage levels that were near to, or slightly better than, the profession's national average for that pay metric. BLS data from May 2024 tells us the following about healthcare social worker pay in the Southwest:
| |
Healthcare Social Worker Pay in the Southwest |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| AZ | 2,830 | $70,610 | 18th |
| NM | 730 | $66,150 | 33rd |
| OK | 2,320 | $56,320 | 51st |
| TX | 11,470 | $69,280 | 20th |
| U.S. | 185,940 | $69,904 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on September 30, 2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Colorado
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) operates a star rating system to rate the quality of acute care hospitals that treat Medicaid and Medicare enrollees. This rating methodology assesses hospital-submitted data on assorted quality metrics, including data on mortality, the timeliness of care, patient safety, readmission rates, and patient experience. The CMS then calculates a standardized score for each metric and consolidates the scores into a unified overall quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the top score on the scale. As of September 13, 2025, only twelve (12) acute care hospitals in the state of Colorado earned a CMS five-star quality rating. Alphabetically listed, here are the five-star quality acute care hospitals in Colorado as rated by CMS:
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Colorado
- Grand Junction VA Medical Center
Location: Grand Junction
View Rating Details - Longs Peak Hospital
Location: Longmont
View Rating Details - Location: Durango
Friday, September 26, 2025
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Arizona
The CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) grades the quality of the more than 4,000 acute care hospitals that treat Medicaid and Medicare participants with a star rating system. This rating methodology develops a rating from hospital-submitted data on assorted quality metrics, computes a score for each measure, and then aggregates the scores into an all-embracing quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the top score. The particular metrics examined for acute care hospitals include the timeliness of care, patient experience, patient safety, readmission rates, and mortality. As of September 7, 2025, only five (5) acute care hospitals, including two devoted to veterans' care, in the state of Arizona earned a five-star quality rating from the CMS. Listed here, in alphabetical order, are the hospitals rated as CMS five-star quality acute care hospitals in Arizona:
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Arizona
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Optometrist Pay in the Great Plains Region
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) newest occupational employment figures estimated that more than 40,000 optometrists were at work in the United States as of May 2024. At that time, an estimated 3,030 optometrists were employed in the seven-state Great Plains region. BLS data indicated the region to be a disparate one for optometrist pay. Three Great Plains states rated in the bottom quartile of all states nationally for optometrist annual mean wages, while at the same time two other states in the region rated in the top twenty nationally for the same pay metric. However, on the whole the region was a modestly good one for optometrist pay as about two-thirds of the region's optometrists lived in a state where the annual mean wage level was above the national average for the profession. A closer examination of BLS data from May 2024 provides the following details about optometrist pay in the Great Plains region:
 |
Optometrist Pay in the Great Plains Region |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| IA | 460 | $125,530 | 40th |
| KS | 460 | $142,400 | 18th |
| MN | 700 | $143,450 | 16th |
| MO | 660 | $121,680 | 44th |
| NE | 370 | $136,810 | 24th |
| ND | 180 | $130,840 | 35th |
| SD | 200 | $119,420 | 46th |
| U.S. | 40,900 | $137,190 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on September 25, 2025
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Speech Language Pathologist Pay in the Far West
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) newly published reports indicate that there were nearly 174,000 speech language pathologists (SLPs) employed in the United States as of May 2024. More than 21,000 of those employed as SLPs in the U.S. lived in the six-state Far West region of the country. The Far West was the best performing region for speech language pathologist pay, with four states (California, Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon) registering SLP annual mean wages in the top 10 nationally. Furthermore, no other state in the region fell below the national average for SLP pay. A closer look at BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about speech language pathologist pay in the Far West region:
 |
| Speech Language Pathologist Pay in the Far West |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| AK | 330 | $99,080 | 14th |
| CA | 14,680 | $114,050 | 1st |
| HI | 130 | $107,040 | 5th |
| NV | 1,170 | $100,440 | 11th |
| OR | 1,750 | $105,460 | 7th |
| WA | 3,170 | $103,040 | 9th |
| U.S. | 173,910 | $91,089 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on September 24, 2025
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Clinical Lab Tech Pay in the Southeastern U.S.
Over 337,000 clinical laboratory technicians and technologists were working in the U.S. as of May 2024 according to the most current occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). At that time, just over 98,500 of the nation's clinical lab techs were working in the twelve-state Southeastern region of the country. For clinical lab techs, the Southeast was one of the weakest pay regions in the nation. The average annual mean wage for clinical lab techs in every state in the region was below than the national average for the profession. Moreover, seven states in the region ranked among the bottom third of all states in the country for clinical lab tech annual mean wages. Further examination of May 2024 BLS data reveals the following state-level details about clinical lab tech pay in the Southeastern U.S.:
 |
| Clinical Lab Tech Pay in the Southeastern U.S |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| AL | 6,690 | $51,440 | 49th |
| AR | 3,200 | $53,770 | 47th |
| FL | 26,340 | $60,920 | 31st |
| GA | 11,340 | $65,430 | 21st |
| KY | 5,040 | $59,990 | 35th |
| LA | 3,880 | $57,130 | 42nd |
| MS | 3,670 | $50,420 | 50th |
| NC | 13,060 | $59,800 | 36th |
| SC | 4,920 | $55,760 | 44th |
| TN | 9,470 | $59,280 | 37th |
| VA | 8,960 | $64,790 | 22nd |
| WV | 1,960 | $60,080 | 34th |
| U.S. | 337,740 | $65,012 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on September 23, 2025
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Ohio
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) employs a star rating system to rate the quality of acute care hospitals that treat Medicare and Medicaid participants. This rating methodology analyzes hospital-submitted data on various quality metrics, calculates a standardized score for each measure, and then consolidates the scores into a unified overall quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the best score on the scale. Specific metrics analyzed for acute care hospitals include mortality, the timeliness of care, patient safety, readmission rates, and patient experience. As of September 7, 2025, only fifteen (15) acute care hospitals in the state of Ohio earned a CMS five-star quality rating. Alphabetically listed, here are the five-star quality acute care hospitals in Ohio as rated by CMS:
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Ohio
- Christ Hospital
Location: Cincinnati
View Rating Details - Cincinnati VA Medical Center
Location: Cincinnati
View Rating Details - Location: Cleveland
- Location: Urbana
View Rating Details
Saturday, September 20, 2025
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Florida
The CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) employs a star rating system for gauging the overall quality of acute care hospitals that service Medicare and Medicaid participants. This rating methodology involves examining hospital-submitted data on assorted quality metrics, calculating a standardized score for each measure, and then aggregating the scores into an all-embracing overall quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the scale's highest score. Specific metrics examined for acute care hospitals include the timeliness of care, readmission rates, patient experience, patient safety, and mortality. As of September 1, 2025, only ten currently active acute care hospitals in the state of Florida earned a CMS five-star quality rating. Alphabetically listed, here are the CMS five-star quality acute care hospitals in Florida:
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Florida
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Pennsylvania
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a star rating system for assessing the overall quality of an acute care hospital that treats Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. This rating methodology examines hospital-submitted data on assorted quality metrics, computes a standardized score for each measure, and then aggregates the scores into a unified overall quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the scale's top score. Specific metrics examined for acute care hospitals include the timeliness of care, patient safety, readmission rates, patient experience, and mortality. As of September 1, 2025, only fifteen acute care hospitals in the state of Pennsylvania earned a CMS five-star quality rating. Listed alphabetically, here are the CMS five-star quality acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania:
Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Pennsylvania
- AHN Wexford Hospital
Location: Wexford
View Rating Details - Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital
Location: Lewistown
View Rating Details - Location: Sellersville
- Location: Wilkes Barre
View Rating Details
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Optometrist Pay in the Great Lakes Region
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) latest occupational employment data reported nearly 41,000 optometrists at work in the United States as of May 2024. At that time, just over 6,000 optometrists were employed in the five-state Great Lakes region. BLS data shows the region to be a modestly weak one for optometrist pay. Only one state in the region, Wisconsin, produced an annual mean wage level for optometrists that topped the national average. A deeper look into BLS data from May 2024 details the following about optometrist pay in the Great Lakes region:
 |
Optometrist Pay in the Great Lakes Region |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| IL | 1,670 | $134,250 | 28th |
| IN | 960 | $133,060 | 30th |
| MI | 1,330 | $133,610 | 29th |
| OH | 1,450 | $131,550 | 34th |
| WI | 750 | $141,570 | 20th |
| U.S. | 40,900 | $137,190 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on September 16, 2025
Sunday, September 14, 2025
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Michigan
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) utilizes a star rating system to gauge the quality of of more than 4,000 acute care hospitals that treat Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. This rating methodology analyzes hospital-reported data on multiple quality metrics, including mortality, the timeliness of care, patient safety, readmission rates, and patient experience. The CMS employs a multi-step analytical process to calculate a standardized score for each measure, then aggregates the scores into an all-embracing quality rating on a 1 to 5-star scale, with 5-stars being the highest score on the scale. Based on this analysis, as of September 13, 2025, only six (6) acute care hospitals in the state of Michigan earned a five-star quality rating from the CMS. Listed alphabetically, here are the hospitals rated by the CMS as five-star quality acute care hospitals in Michigan:
CMS Five-Star Quality Acute Care Hospitals in Michigan
Friday, September 12, 2025
Speech Language Pathologist Pay in the U.S. Southwest
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently published reports indicating that nearly 174,000 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) were working in the United States as of May 2024. More than 24,500 of those employed as SLPs lived in the four-state Southwest region of the country. The Southwest region performed relatively well, with all states but one—Oklahoma—reporting annual mean wages above the national average. New Mexico, specifically, ranked in the top ten. An examination of BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about speech-language pathologist pay in the U.S. Southwest:
| |
Speech Language Pathologist Pay in the U.S. Southwest |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| AZ | 2,830 | $98,390 | 15th |
| NM | 1,040 | $106,280 | 6th |
| OK | 2,040 | $87,210 | 28th |
| TX | 18,600 | $94,850 | 18th |
| U.S. | 173,910 | $91,089 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on September 12, 2025
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Clinical Lab Tech Pay in New England
More than 337,000 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians were employed in the United States as of May 2024 according to data released earlier this summer by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Just over 20,000 clinical lab techs were employed in the six-state New England region. For clinical lab techs, New England is one of the best in the nation in terms of pay. The average annual mean wage for clinical lab techs in every state in the region is near or above the national average. Moreover, four states in the region rank in the top 10 nationally for clinical lab tech annual mean wages. BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about clinical lab tech pay in New England:
 |
| Clinical Lab Tech Pay in New England |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| CT | 3,850 | $75,690 | 8th |
| MA | 12,780 | $72,960 | 11th |
| ME | 1,240 | $66,540 | 20th |
| NH | 650 | $78,350 | 5th |
| RI | 1,130 | $82,450 | 2nd |
| VT | 490 | $76,110 | 7th |
| U.S. | 337,740 | $65,012 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on September 11, 2025
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