Objective  To investigate the situation and regional difference of professional and technical personnel allocation in community-embedded small-scale multifunctional pension institutions (CSMPIs) in Beijing, Tianjin city and Hebei province and to provide references for developing personnel allocation policies and keeping efficient operation of CSMPIs.

  Methods  We conducted a survey on professional and technical personnel allocation among 189 CSMPIs in the three administrative regions using a self-designed questionnaire during April – June 2019.

  Results  For all the institutions surveyed, the median of professional staff number per 100 beds was 18.1 (interquartile range: 9.1, 33.3), accounting for 23.7% (± 20.3%) of the total number of staff in the institutions. The professional and technical personnel allocations of the CSMPIs differed significantly by regional location, situation of cooperation with community health service station, and the status of operating-subsidy. The regional difference in professional and technical personnel allocation of the CSMPIs was still significant after covariate adjustment (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  There are differences in professional and technical personnel allocation among CSMPIs in Beijing, Tianjin city and Hebei province, suggesting that personnel allocation-related policies and standards need to be modified.