U.S. healthcare and social assistance employment reached 21.62 million in February 2024, an increase of 52,000 from the prior month, and the sector added 1.8 million jobs from February 2020 to February 2024. By 2032, overall healthcare employment is projected to grow 12%, adding 1.8 million jobs. Growth is uneven across roles, with home health aide employment expected to rise 22% by 2032 and registered nurses projected to increase 6% from 2023 to 2033.
Key Takeaways
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 is projected to surge, adding 1.8 million jobs by 2032 amid a growing worker shortage.
Related reading
01 · Category
Future Projections26 stats
01
U.S. healthcare employment projected to grow 12% by 2032, adding 1.8 million jobs
02
RN employment expected to increase 6% from 2023 to 2033, 193,100 new jobs U.S.
03
Home health aide jobs to grow 22% by 2032, fastest occupation U.S.
04
Physician assistant positions projected up 27% 2023-2033 U.S.
05
Nurse practitioner jobs to rise 38% by 2032, 123,600 openings U.S.
06
Medical and health managers growth 28% projected 2023-2033 U.S.
07
Physical therapist jobs up 15% by 2032, 37,000 new U.S.
08
Occupational therapist employment to grow 12% 2023-2033 U.S.
09
Speech-language pathologist projected 19% growth by 2032 U.S.
10
EMT/paramedic jobs to increase 5% 2023-2033, 34,700 new U.S.
11
Nursing assistant employment up 4% by 2032, 82,000 jobs U.S.
12
Medical assistants projected 14% growth 2023-2033 U.S.
13
Licensed practical nurses to grow 5% by 2032, 58,800 new U.S.
14
Dental hygienists employment up 7% 2023-2033 U.S.
15
Radiologic tech jobs projected 6% growth by 2032 U.S.
16
Respiratory therapists to increase 13% 2023-2033 U.S.
17
Pharmacist employment down 2% projected by 2032 U.S.
18
Physician jobs to grow 3% 2023-2033, 24,600 new U.S.
19
Clinical lab tech growth 5% by 2032, 24,200 jobs U.S.
20
Dental assistants up 8% projected 2023-2033 U.S.
21
Surgical technologists to grow 5% by 2032, 9,100 new U.S.
22
Optometrists employment up 9% 2023-2033 U.S.
23
Dietitians projected 7% growth by 2032 U.S.
24
Global healthcare worker shortage projected at 10 million by 2030
25
U.S. healthcare openings expected 2.1 million annually through 2031
26
Aging population to drive 16% U.S. healthcare job growth 2022-2032
Interpretation
Future 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.
02 · Category
Occupational Employment28 stats
01
Registered nurses numbered 3.5 million employed in U.S. healthcare in 2023
02
Physicians and surgeons total employment was 816,900 in May 2023 U.S.
03
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed 657,000 in 2023 U.S.
04
Medical and health services managers: 510,300 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
05
Home health and personal care aides: 4.0 million employed in 2023 U.S.
06
Nursing assistants employed 1.4 million in U.S. 2023
07
Dental assistants: 330,600 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
08
Pharmacists employment totaled 312,500 in 2023 U.S.
09
Physical therapists: 238,200 employed in May 2023 U.S.
10
Medical assistants: 403,000 jobs in 2023 U.S.
11
Radiologic technologists and technicians: 203,800 in May 2023 U.S.
12
Dental hygienists employed 213,000 in 2023 U.S.
13
Speech-language pathologists: 168,900 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
14
Occupational therapists: 133,900 employed in 2023 U.S.
15
Nurse practitioners: 266,100 in May 2023 U.S.
16
Physician assistants: 153,400 jobs in 2023 U.S.
17
EMTs and paramedics: 261,300 employed in May 2023 U.S.
18
Optometrists: 41,200 in 2023 U.S.
19
Respiratory therapists: 134,000 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
20
Clinical laboratory technologists: 249,200 employed in 2023 U.S.
21
Massage therapists: 92,300 in May 2023 U.S.
22
Phlebotomists estimated at 130,000 jobs in 2023 U.S.
23
Dietitians and nutritionists: 73,800 employed in May 2023 U.S.
24
Athletic trainers: 28,900 jobs in 2023 U.S.
25
Surgical technologists: 111,200 in May 2023 U.S.
26
Veterinary technologists: 118,800 employed in 2023 U.S.
27
Medical records specialists: 366,100 jobs in May 2023 U.S.
28
Licensed vocational nurses in California: 90,000 employed in 2023
Interpretation
Occupational 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.
03 · Category
Total Employment and Growth30 stats
01
In February 2024, U.S. healthcare and social assistance employment reached 21.62 million, up 52,000 from the previous month
02
Healthcare employment in the U.S. grew by 463,000 jobs in 2023, representing a 2.2% increase year-over-year
03
From 2021 to 2022, healthcare sector jobs increased by 6.1% to 20.4 million workers nationwide
04
Global healthcare workforce numbered 59 million in 2019, projected to grow to 65 million by 2030
05
U.S. healthcare employment accounted for 14.3% of total nonfarm payrolls in 2023
06
Healthcare and social assistance added 1.8 million jobs from February 2020 to February 2024
07
In the EU, healthcare employment rose 1.5% annually from 2018 to 2022, reaching 25 million workers
08
U.S. nursing and residential care facilities employed 4.2 million in 2023, up 1.9% from 2022
09
Ambulatory health care services sector grew to 8.9 million employees in 2023
10
Hospitals in the U.S. employed 6.3 million workers as of 2023
11
Healthcare employment in California reached 2.8 million in 2022, 15% of state workforce
12
From 2019 to 2023, U.S. home health care employment surged 12.4% to 3.7 million
13
UK NHS workforce expanded to 1.4 million in 2023, up 4% from 2022
14
Canada’s healthcare employment hit 2.1 million in 2023, 11% of total jobs
15
Australia healthcare sector employed 2.0 million in 2022, growing 3.2% annually
16
India’s healthcare workforce was estimated at 5.6 million in 2022
17
Brazil healthcare employment reached 4.8 million in 2021, up 8% post-pandemic
18
Germany’s healthcare sector had 5.5 million employees in 2023
19
Japan healthcare workforce numbered 8.9 million in 2022, 14% of total employment
20
South Korea healthcare employment grew to 1.2 million in 2023, up 5.1%
21
Mexico’s healthcare workers totaled 1.9 million in 2022
22
South Africa healthcare employment was 1.1 million in 2023
23
Russia healthcare sector employed 4.2 million in 2022
24
France healthcare workforce reached 3.2 million in 2023, 12% growth since 2010
25
Italy’s healthcare employment stood at 2.4 million in 2022
26
Spain healthcare sector had 2.1 million workers in 2023, up 2.8%
27
Netherlands healthcare employment grew to 1.5 million in 2023
28
Sweden’s healthcare workforce was 0.7 million in 2022, 13% of employment
29
Switzerland healthcare sector employed 0.6 million in 2023
30
U.S. healthcare employment growth rate was 4.2% from 2022 to 2023, fastest among sectors
Interpretation
Total 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Wages and Salaries26 stats
01
U.S. mean annual wage for registered nurses was $89,010in May 2023
02
Physicians and surgeons median wage reached $239,200annually in May 2023 U.S.
03
Nurse practitioners average salary $128,490per year in 2023 U.S.
04
Physician assistants median wage $130,020in May 2023 U.S.
05
Dentists general median annual wage $160,370in 2023 U.S.
06
Pharmacists average salary $136,030yearly in May 2023 U.S.
07
Medical and health services managers median $110,680in 2023 U.S.
08
Physical therapists mean wage $99,710annually May 2023 U.S.
09
Occupational therapists median $96,370in 2023 U.S.
10
Speech-language pathologists average $89,290yearly May 2023 U.S.
11
Licensed practical nurses median wage $59,730in 2023 U.S.
12
Nursing assistants mean hourly wage $17.84in May 2023 U.S.
13
Home health aides median annual $33,530in 2023 U.S.
14
Medical assistants average $41,480yearly May 2023 U.S.
15
Dental hygienists median wage $87,530in 2023 U.S.
16
Radiologic technologists mean $73,410annually May 2023 U.S.
17
Respiratory therapists median $77,960in 2023 U.S.
18
EMTs and paramedics average $47,580yearly May 2023 U.S.
19
Clinical lab technologists median $61,990in 2023 U.S.
20
Dental assistants mean wage $44,710annually May 2023 U.S.
21
Optometrists median $131,860in 2023 U.S.
22
Surgical technologists average $60,490yearly May 2023 U.S.
23
Phlebotomists median wage $43,660in 2023 U.S.
24
Dietitians median $69,680annually May 2023 U.S.
25
Medical records technicians mean $49,320yearly 2023 U.S.
26
California RN average salary $133,340in 2023, highest state
Interpretation
Wages 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.
05 · Category
Workforce Demographics19 stats
01
78% of U.S. healthcare workers are women as of 2023
02
Median age of U.S. registered nurses is 46 years in 2022
03
56% of U.S. physicians are men, 44% women in 2023
04
84% of nursing assistants in U.S. are women, 2023 data
05
19% of U.S. healthcare workers are Hispanic or Latino in 2023
06
12% of U.S. RNs hold doctoral degrees in 2022
07
Average age of U.S. physicians is 52 years in 2023
08
62% of home health aides are Black or African American in 2023 U.S.
09
89% of U.S. nurse practitioners are women in 2023
10
45% of U.S. medical students are women in 2023 entering class
11
14% of U.S. dentists are from underrepresented minorities in 2022
12
76% of U.S. pharmacists are women in 2023
13
Average tenure of U.S. nurses is 7.5 years in current role, 2023 survey
14
25% of U.S. healthcare workers aged 55+ in 2023
15
9% of U.S. RNs are male in 2022
16
37% of U.S. active physicians over age 60 in 2023
17
52% of U.S. PAs are women aged 35-44 in 2023
18
65% of U.S. allied health workers have associate degrees or less, 2023
19
22% of U.S. healthcare workforce is foreign-born in 2023
Interpretation
Workforce 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.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Healthcare Employment Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/healthcare-employment-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Healthcare Employment Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/healthcare-employment-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Healthcare Employment Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/healthcare-employment-statistics.
Sources & references
32 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level