From the bustling hospitals of California to the growing clinics of South Korea, the pulse of global healthcare employment is beating stronger than ever, with the U.S. sector alone adding over half a million jobs last year and setting the stage for millions more by the decade's end.
Key Takeaways
- In February 2024, U.S. healthcare and social assistance employment reached 21.62 million, up 52,000 from the previous month
- Healthcare employment in the U.S. grew by 463,000 jobs in 2023, representing a 2.2% increase year-over-year
- From 2021 to 2022, healthcare sector jobs increased by 6.1% to 20.4 million workers nationwide
- Registered nurses numbered 3.5 million employed in U.S. healthcare in 2023
- Physicians and surgeons total employment was 816,900 in May 2023 U.S.
- Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed 657,000 in 2023 U.S.
- U.S. mean annual wage for registered nurses was $89,010 in May 2023
- Physicians and surgeons median wage reached $239,200 annually in May 2023 U.S.
- Nurse practitioners average salary $128,490 per year in 2023 U.S.
- 78% of U.S. healthcare workers are women as of 2023
- Median age of U.S. registered nurses is 46 years in 2022
- 56% of U.S. physicians are men, 44% women in 2023
- U.S. healthcare employment projected to grow 12% by 2032, adding 1.8 million jobs
- RN employment expected to increase 6% from 2023 to 2033, 193,100 new jobs U.S.
- Home health aide jobs to grow 22% by 2032, fastest occupation U.S.
Healthcare employment is growing rapidly worldwide due to increasing demand.
Future Projections
1U.S. healthcare employment projected to grow 12% by 2032, adding 1.8 million jobs
Verified2RN employment expected to increase 6% from 2023 to 2033, 193,100 new jobs U.S.
Verified3Home health aide jobs to grow 22% by 2032, fastest occupation U.S.
Verified4Physician assistant positions projected up 27% 2023-2033 U.S.
Directional5Nurse practitioner jobs to rise 38% by 2032, 123,600 openings U.S.
Single source6Medical and health managers growth 28% projected 2023-2033 U.S.
Verified7Physical therapist jobs up 15% by 2032, 37,000 new U.S.
Verified8Occupational therapist employment to grow 12% 2023-2033 U.S.
Verified9Speech-language pathologist projected 19% growth by 2032 U.S.
Directional10EMT/paramedic jobs to increase 5% 2023-2033, 34,700 new U.S.
Single source11Nursing assistant employment up 4% by 2032, 82,000 jobs U.S.
Verified12Medical assistants projected 14% growth 2023-2033 U.S.
Verified13Licensed practical nurses to grow 5% by 2032, 58,800 new U.S.
Verified14Dental hygienists employment up 7% 2023-2033 U.S.
Directional15Radiologic tech jobs projected 6% growth by 2032 U.S.
Single source16Respiratory therapists to increase 13% 2023-2033 U.S.
Verified17Pharmacist employment down 2% projected by 2032 U.S.
Verified18Physician jobs to grow 3% 2023-2033, 24,600 new U.S.
Verified19Clinical lab tech growth 5% by 2032, 24,200 jobs U.S.
Directional20Dental assistants up 8% projected 2023-2033 U.S.
Single source21Surgical technologists to grow 5% by 2032, 9,100 new U.S.
Verified22Optometrists employment up 9% 2023-2033 U.S.
Verified23Dietitians projected 7% growth by 2032 U.S.
Verified24Global healthcare worker shortage projected at 10 million by 2030
Directional25U.S. healthcare openings expected 2.1 million annually through 2031
Single source26Aging population to drive 16% U.S. healthcare job growth 2022-2032
VerifiedFuture Projections Interpretation
While the outlook is promising for most, these projections paint a picture of a healthcare system desperately trying to staff up for an aging population, where the management and advanced practitioner roles are sprinting ahead while the essential bedside and support roles, frankly, need to pick up the pace.
Occupational Employment
1Registered nurses numbered 3.5 million employed in U.S. healthcare in 2023
Verified2Physicians and surgeons total employment was 816,900 in May 2023 U.S.
Verified3Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed 657,000 in 2023 U.S.
Verified4Medical and health services managers: 510,300 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
Directional5Home health and personal care aides: 4.0 million employed in 2023 U.S.
Single source6Nursing assistants employed 1.4 million in U.S. 2023
Verified7Dental assistants: 330,600 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
Verified8Pharmacists employment totaled 312,500 in 2023 U.S.
Verified9Physical therapists: 238,200 employed in May 2023 U.S.
Directional10Medical assistants: 403,000 jobs in 2023 U.S.
Single source11Radiologic technologists and technicians: 203,800 in May 2023 U.S.
Verified12Dental hygienists employed 213,000 in 2023 U.S.
Verified13Speech-language pathologists: 168,900 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
Verified14Occupational therapists: 133,900 employed in 2023 U.S.
Directional15Nurse practitioners: 266,100 in May 2023 U.S.
Single source16Physician assistants: 153,400 jobs in 2023 U.S.
Verified17EMTs and paramedics: 261,300 employed in May 2023 U.S.
Verified18Optometrists: 41,200 in 2023 U.S.
Verified19Respiratory therapists: 134,000 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
Directional20Clinical laboratory technologists: 249,200 employed in 2023 U.S.
Single source21Massage therapists: 92,300 in May 2023 U.S.
Verified22Phlebotomists estimated at 130,000 jobs in 2023 U.S.
Verified23Dietitians and nutritionists: 73,800 employed in May 2023 U.S.
Verified24Athletic trainers: 28,900 jobs in 2023 U.S.
Directional25Surgical technologists: 111,200 in May 2023 U.S.
Single source26Veterinary technologists: 118,800 employed in 2023 U.S.
Verified27Medical records specialists: 366,100 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
Verified28Licensed vocational nurses in California: 90,000 employed in 2023
VerifiedOccupational Employment Interpretation
Behind the staggering 4 million aides and 3.5 million registered nurses stands a vast, intricate, and heroically over-caffeinated human lattice holding up the entire teetering Jenga tower of American healthcare.
Total Employment and Growth
1In February 2024, U.S. healthcare and social assistance employment reached 21.62 million, up 52,000 from the previous month
Verified2Healthcare employment in the U.S. grew by 463,000 jobs in 2023, representing a 2.2% increase year-over-year
Verified3From 2021 to 2022, healthcare sector jobs increased by 6.1% to 20.4 million workers nationwide
Verified4Global healthcare workforce numbered 59 million in 2019, projected to grow to 65 million by 2030
Directional5U.S. healthcare employment accounted for 14.3% of total nonfarm payrolls in 2023
Single source6Healthcare and social assistance added 1.8 million jobs from February 2020 to February 2024
Verified7In the EU, healthcare employment rose 1.5% annually from 2018 to 2022, reaching 25 million workers
Verified8U.S. nursing and residential care facilities employed 4.2 million in 2023, up 1.9% from 2022
Verified9Ambulatory health care services sector grew to 8.9 million employees in 2023
Directional10Hospitals in the U.S. employed 6.3 million workers as of 2023
Single source11Healthcare employment in California reached 2.8 million in 2022, 15% of state workforce
Verified12From 2019 to 2023, U.S. home health care employment surged 12.4% to 3.7 million
Verified13UK NHS workforce expanded to 1.4 million in 2023, up 4% from 2022
Verified14Canada’s healthcare employment hit 2.1 million in 2023, 11% of total jobs
Directional15Australia healthcare sector employed 2.0 million in 2022, growing 3.2% annually
Single source16India’s healthcare workforce was estimated at 5.6 million in 2022
Verified17Brazil healthcare employment reached 4.8 million in 2021, up 8% post-pandemic
Verified18Germany’s healthcare sector had 5.5 million employees in 2023
Verified19Japan healthcare workforce numbered 8.9 million in 2022, 14% of total employment
Directional20South Korea healthcare employment grew to 1.2 million in 2023, up 5.1%
Single source21Mexico’s healthcare workers totaled 1.9 million in 2022
Verified22South Africa healthcare employment was 1.1 million in 2023
Verified23Russia healthcare sector employed 4.2 million in 2022
Verified24France healthcare workforce reached 3.2 million in 2023, 12% growth since 2010
Directional25Italy’s healthcare employment stood at 2.4 million in 2022
Single source26Spain healthcare sector had 2.1 million workers in 2023, up 2.8%
Verified27Netherlands healthcare employment grew to 1.5 million in 2023
Verified28Sweden’s healthcare workforce was 0.7 million in 2022, 13% of employment
Verified29Switzerland healthcare sector employed 0.6 million in 2023
Directional30U.S. healthcare employment growth rate was 4.2% from 2022 to 2023, fastest among sectors
Single sourceTotal Employment and Growth Interpretation
While the world is busy getting sicker, the healthcare sector is thriving with the grim determination of a nurse holding a full bedpan, now employing over 21 million Americans who are sprinting just to keep up.
Wages and Salaries
1U.S. mean annual wage for registered nurses was $89,010 in May 2023
Verified2Physicians and surgeons median wage reached $239,200 annually in May 2023 U.S.
Verified3Nurse practitioners average salary $128,490 per year in 2023 U.S.
Verified4Physician assistants median wage $130,020 in May 2023 U.S.
Directional5Dentists general median annual wage $160,370 in 2023 U.S.
Single source6Pharmacists average salary $136,030 yearly in May 2023 U.S.
Verified7Medical and health services managers median $110,680 in 2023 U.S.
Verified8Physical therapists mean wage $99,710 annually May 2023 U.S.
Verified9Occupational therapists median $96,370 in 2023 U.S.
Directional10Speech-language pathologists average $89,290 yearly May 2023 U.S.
Single source11Licensed practical nurses median wage $59,730 in 2023 U.S.
Verified12Nursing assistants mean hourly wage $17.84 in May 2023 U.S.
Verified13Home health aides median annual $33,530 in 2023 U.S.
Verified14Medical assistants average $41,480 yearly May 2023 U.S.
Directional15Dental hygienists median wage $87,530 in 2023 U.S.
Single source16Radiologic technologists mean $73,410 annually May 2023 U.S.
Verified17Respiratory therapists median $77,960 in 2023 U.S.
Verified18EMTs and paramedics average $47,580 yearly May 2023 U.S.
Verified19Clinical lab technologists median $61,990 in 2023 U.S.
Directional20Dental assistants mean wage $44,710 annually May 2023 U.S.
Single source21Optometrists median $131,860 in 2023 U.S.
Verified22Surgical technologists average $60,490 yearly May 2023 U.S.
Verified23Phlebotomists median wage $43,660 in 2023 U.S.
Verified24Dietitians median $69,680 annually May 2023 U.S.
Directional25Medical records technicians mean $49,320 yearly 2023 U.S.
Single source26California RN average salary $133,340 in 2023, highest state
VerifiedWages and Salaries Interpretation
While the paychecks in healthcare undeniably escalate with credentials, frontline compassion clearly doesn't subsidize the mortgage, as the life-saving hands that wipe the brow and lift the patient earn barely enough to keep their own lights on.
Workforce Demographics
178% of U.S. healthcare workers are women as of 2023
Verified2Median age of U.S. registered nurses is 46 years in 2022
Verified356% of U.S. physicians are men, 44% women in 2023
Verified484% of nursing assistants in U.S. are women, 2023 data
Directional519% of U.S. healthcare workers are Hispanic or Latino in 2023
Single source612% of U.S. RNs hold doctoral degrees in 2022
Verified7Average age of U.S. physicians is 52 years in 2023
Verified862% of home health aides are Black or African American in 2023 U.S.
Verified989% of U.S. nurse practitioners are women in 2023
Directional1045% of U.S. medical students are women in 2023 entering class
Single source1114% of U.S. dentists are from underrepresented minorities in 2022
Verified1276% of U.S. pharmacists are women in 2023
Verified13Average tenure of U.S. nurses is 7.5 years in current role, 2023 survey
Verified1425% of U.S. healthcare workers aged 55+ in 2023
Directional159% of U.S. RNs are male in 2022
Single source1637% of U.S. active physicians over age 60 in 2023
Verified1752% of U.S. PAs are women aged 35-44 in 2023
Verified1865% of U.S. allied health workers have associate degrees or less, 2023
Verified1922% of U.S. healthcare workforce is foreign-born in 2023
DirectionalWorkforce Demographics Interpretation
The U.S. healthcare system runs on the skilled, experienced, yet aging hands of women, while critical disparities in leadership, demographics, and educational paths reveal a sector still struggling to reflect the nation it serves.
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