With a perfect storm of critical shortages, alarming burnout rates, and an aging workforce looming on the horizon, understanding the current state and future projections of our healthcare personnel is more vital than ever for the stability of our nation's well-being.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projected a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including primary and specialty care
- As of 2021, there were 1,047,221 active physicians in the US, with 56.7% being men and 43.3% women
- In 2022, the physician supply grew by 2.6% to approximately 1.1 million active physicians in the US
- As of 2023, registered nurses (RNs) in the US numbered 3.2 million, with 2.8 million actively practicing
- In 2022, the RN vacancy rate in US hospitals averaged 17.1%, up from 9.9% pre-pandemic
- Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)/licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) totaled 654,000 in the US in 2023
- Physical therapists (PTs) in the US numbered 258,000 licensed in 2023
- Occupational therapists (OTs) totaled 139,000 in the US in 2022, growing 14% from 2018
- Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) reached 179,000 in the US in 2023
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a shortage of 200,000 RNs by 2030
- HRSA forecasts a deficit of 84,000 physician assistants by 2034
- By 2034, the US could face a shortage of 139,000 physicians according to AAMC 2023 update
- In 2023, 37% of US physicians were women, up from 28% in 2007
- RN workforce in US is 80% white, 7% Black, 6% Asian in 2023
- Average age of US physicians is 52 years, with 25% over 65 in 2022
The U.S. healthcare system faces significant projected shortages across nearly all professions.
Allied Health
1Physical therapists (PTs) in the US numbered 258,000 licensed in 2023
Verified2Occupational therapists (OTs) totaled 139,000 in the US in 2022, growing 14% from 2018
Verified3Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) reached 179,000 in the US in 2023
Verified4Registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) numbered 140,000 in the US in 2022
Directional5Pharmacists totaled 330,000 licensed in the US in 2023
Single source6Medical laboratory scientists (MLS) were 320,000 in the US in 2021, short by 11%
Verified7Radiologic technologists numbered 208,000 in the US in 2022
Verified8Dental hygienists totaled 228,000 in the US in 2023
Verified9Physician assistants (PAs) reached 159,000 certified in the US in 2023
Directional10Dietitians/nutritionists numbered 112,000 in the US in 2022
Single source11In 2023, optometrists totaled 42,000 practicing in the US
Verified12Audiologists numbered 19,000 in the US in 2022
Verified13Certified surgical technologists (CSTs) were 110,000 in the US in 2023
Verified14Perfusionists totaled 4,000 certified in the US in 2022
Directional15In 2021, athletic trainers numbered 58,000 certified in the US
Single source16Chiropractors totaled 77,000 licensed in the US in 2023
Verified17EMTs/paramedics numbered 861,000 in the US in 2022
Verified18Medical assistants totaled 764,000 employed in the US in 2023
Verified19Phlebotomists numbered 102,000 in the US in 2022
Directional20In 2023, genetic counselors totaled 5,000 certified in the US
Single source21Respiratory care practitioners vacancy rate was 10% in US hospitals in 2022
Verified22In 2021, physical therapist assistants numbered 102,000 in the US
Verified23Occupational therapy assistants totaled 57,000 in the US in 2023
Verified24Dental assistants numbered 370,000 in the US in 2022
Directional25In 2023, massage therapists totaled 293,000 licensed in the US
Single sourceAllied Health Interpretation
While the US healthcare stage is crowded with over 4.5 million supporting actors, from a quarter-million physical therapists to just 4,000 perfusionists, the critical backstage crew of lab scientists is dwindling, threatening to bring the whole production to a halt.
Demographics
1In 2023, 37% of US physicians were women, up from 28% in 2007
Verified2RN workforce in US is 80% white, 7% Black, 6% Asian in 2023
Verified3Average age of US physicians is 52 years, with 25% over 65 in 2022
Verified4In 2021, 9% of RNs were Hispanic/Latino, doubling since 2004
Directional556% of US medical students were women in 2023 entering class
Single source6US health workforce has 76% women overall, 24% men in 2022
Verified7In 2023, 5.8% of physicians were Black/African American
Verified8Nurse practitioners are 89% women, 11% men in US 2023
Verified918% of US PAs identified as Hispanic in 2022
Directional10Average age of RNs is 48 years in 2023, with 52% aged 40+
Single source11In 2021, 22% of physicians were Asian, highest among non-primary specialties
Verified12US allied health workforce is 82% female, particularly in therapy fields
Verified134.1% of US physicians were Hispanic in 2023
Verified14In 2022, 12% of RNs held doctoral degrees, up 3x since 2010
Directional15Rural physicians are 70% male vs 55% urban in US 2021
Single source16In 2023, 15% of new RN licenses went to men
Verified17US PT workforce is 54% female under 35 years old in 2022
Verified183% of physicians are Native American/Alaska Native in 2021
Verified19In 2023, 25% of NPs were from underrepresented minorities
DirectionalDemographics Interpretation
The healthcare workforce is finally becoming more diverse and female, yet stubborn demographic gaps in leadership roles and ethnic representation reveal we’re still prescribing an old, exclusionary formula just as the patient population is changing most.
Nurses
1As of 2023, registered nurses (RNs) in the US numbered 3.2 million, with 2.8 million actively practicing
Verified2In 2022, the RN vacancy rate in US hospitals averaged 17.1%, up from 9.9% pre-pandemic
Verified3Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)/licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) totaled 654,000 in the US in 2023
Verified4In 2021, 82% of RNs were employed in nursing, with average age of 49 years
Directional5Nurse practitioners (NPs) reached 355,000 in the US in 2023, growing 9% annually
Single source6In 2022, 6.3% of RNs reported intent to leave their job within a year
Verified7Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) totaled 458,000 in the US in 2023
Verified8In 2021, baccalaureate-prepared RNs comprised 56% of the workforce, up from 49% in 2010
Verified9Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) numbered 45,000 in the US in 2023
Directional10In 2022, the turnover rate for hospital RNs was 27.4%, costing $8.9 million per hospital on average
Single source11Nurse midwives totaled 14,000 in the US in 2023
Verified12In 2021, 9.1% of RNs were male, increasing from 6.6% in 2008
Verified13Clinical nurse specialists numbered 89,000 in the US in 2022
Verified14In 2023, RN employment in ambulatory settings grew 12% to 450,000
Directional15Dialysis RNs totaled 35,000 in the US in 2022
Single source16In 2021, 31% of RNs worked in hospitals, down from 60% in 2000
Verified17Pediatric nurses numbered 250,000 RNs specializing in pediatrics in the US in 2023
Verified18In 2022, critical care RNs faced 18% vacancy rates in ICUs
Verified19Operating room RNs totaled 250,000 in the US in 2023
Directional20In 2021, psychiatric-mental health RNs were 40,000 certified in the US
Single source21Home health RNs grew to 400,000 employed in the US in 2023
Verified22In 2022, school nurses numbered 68,000 full-time equivalents in US public schools
Verified23Oncology certified nurses (OCNs) totaled 35,000 in the US in 2023
Verified24In 2021, gerontological RNs comprised 12% of the workforce
Directional25Emergency department RNs faced 22% vacancy in 2022 US hospitals
Single source26In 2023, travel nurses peaked at 80,000 deployed in the US
Verified27Neonatal RNs numbered 50,000 certified in the US in 2022
Verified28In 2021, informatics nurses totaled 25,000 certified in the US
VerifiedNurses Interpretation
While we can precisely count the impressive and growing ranks of nursing specialists, from pediatric to psychiatric, the alarming vacancy and turnover rates suggest that for too many, the math of staying in their current role simply doesn't add up.
Physicians
1In 2023, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projected a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including primary and specialty care
Verified2As of 2021, there were 1,047,221 active physicians in the US, with 56.7% being men and 43.3% women
Verified3In 2022, the physician supply grew by 2.6% to approximately 1.1 million active physicians in the US
Verified4Primary care physicians made up 36.9% of the active physician workforce in the US in 2021, totaling about 386,000
Directional5In 2023, the average age of active US physicians was 52.6 years, with 38% aged 55 or older
Single source6Surgical specialists comprised 18.5% of active physicians in 2021, numbering around 194,000 in the US
Verified7From 2019 to 2021, the number of female physicians increased by 5.2%, reaching 453,000 in the US
Verified8In 2022, there were 27,878 international medical graduates (IMGs) actively practicing as physicians in the US
Verified9The ratio of active physicians to population in the US was 264 per 100,000 in 2021
Directional10Emergency medicine physicians numbered 47,000 in the US in 2022, facing a projected shortage of 10,000 by 2030
Single source11In 2023, 62% of US physicians reported burnout symptoms, up from 45% in 2018
Verified12Pediatricians in the US totaled 62,000 active in 2021, with a shortage projected at 19,500 by 2033
Verified13In 2022, the US had 91,000 psychiatrists, but demand required 45,000 more to meet mental health needs
Verified14Obstetrician-gynecologists numbered 38,000 in the US in 2021, with rural shortages affecting 50% of counties
Directional15In 2023, active anesthesiologists in the US reached 50,000, projected to shortage by 12,500 by 2036
Single source16Radiologists comprised 37,000 active physicians in the US in 2022
Verified17From 2017-2021, the number of US MD seniors matching into residencies increased by 15% to 18,000 annually
Verified18In 2021, 78% of active physicians were US medical school graduates
Verified19Pathologists numbered 22,000 in the US in 2022, with a projected surplus of 1,500 by 2030
Directional20In 2023, family medicine physicians totaled 121,000 in the US
Single source21Neurologists in the US were 16,000 active in 2021, short by 20% nationally
Verified22Dermatologists numbered 12,000 in the US in 2022
Verified23In 2023, orthopedic surgeons reached 24,000 active in the US
Verified24Cardiologists totaled 35,000 in the US in 2021, projected shortage of 4,000 by 2030
Directional25Gastroenterologists were 15,000 active in the US in 2022
Single source26Urologists numbered 12,500 in the US in 2023
Verified27In 2021, oncologists totaled 14,000 in the US, short by 1,400 FTEs
Verified28Pulmonologists were 16,000 active in the US in 2022
Verified29In 2023, endocrinologists numbered 7,000 in the US, facing acute shortages
Directional30Rheumatologists totaled 5,500 active physicians in the US in 2021
Single sourcePhysicians Interpretation
Our healthcare system is racing against an aging and retiring physician population to train enough new, un-burned-out doctors—particularly in vital specialties and primary care—to catch up with a growing demand that already outpaces our supply.
Retention
1Average tenure of physicians in practice is 10 years, with higher turnover in underserved areas
Verified247% of nurses reported job dissatisfaction in 2023, leading to 20% turnover intent
Verified3Physician retention rate in rural US is 65% after 5 years vs 85% urban
Verified4In 2022, 31% of new RNs left within first year
Directional5Loan forgiveness programs retain 70% of physicians in underserved areas post-commitment
Single source6Nurse burnout led to 100,000 RNs leaving workforce in 2022
Verified7PA retention in primary care is 82% after 3 years with incentives
Verified8In 2023, 62% physicians plan to reduce hours or retire early due to burnout
Verified9Hospital nurse retention improved 5% with wellness programs in 2022
Directional1040% of therapists report intent to leave field within 5 years due to workload
Single sourceRetention Interpretation
The healthcare system is hemorrhaging its healers at every turn, with burnout and dissatisfaction creating a leaky bucket that loan forgiveness and wellness programs are trying, with only modest success, to patch.
Shortages and Projections
1The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a shortage of 200,000 RNs by 2030
Verified2HRSA forecasts a deficit of 84,000 physician assistants by 2034
Verified3By 2034, the US could face a shortage of 139,000 physicians according to AAMC 2023 update
Verified4WHO estimates global health worker shortage of 10 million by 2030, with 6 million nurses needed
Directional5US will need 1.2 million more nurses by 2030 per NCSBN projections
Single source6BLS projects 15% growth in PT jobs from 2022-2032, adding 38,000 positions
Verified7Rural US areas have 40% fewer primary care physicians per capita than urban
Verified8By 2030, US mental health workforce shortage projected at 78,000 psychiatrists and psychologists
Verified9HRSA projects 44,000 dentist shortage by 2030 in underserved areas
Directional10Global shortage of 18 million health workers by 2030, mostly in low-income countries
Single source11US home health aide shortage projected at 355,000 by 2030 per PHI
Verified12By 2040, Canada anticipates 91,000 RN shortage
Verified13EU faces 1 million nurse shortage by 2025 per OECD
Verified14US lab workforce projected to decline 11% by 2029 due to retirements
Directional15By 2033, US needs 70,000 more OTs amid 12% job growth
Single source16Australia projects 85,000 health worker shortage by 2025
Verified17US pharmacy technician shortage of 50,000 projected by 2030
Verified18By 2040, UK NHS faces 250,000 staff shortage
Verified19India needs 2.4 million more nurses by 2024 per WHO
Directional20US RT shortage projected at 27,000 by 2026
Single source21Brazil anticipates 1.3 million health worker gap by 2030
Verified22By 2030, US will need 123,000 more PAs per AAPA
Verified23Japan projects 500,000 caregiver shortage by 2025 due to aging
Verified24South Africa faces 48,000 nurse shortage by 2030
Directional25By 2034, US SLP shortage of 50,000 projected
Single source26Germany needs 500,000 more health workers by 2035
Verified27Nigeria has 1.5 doctors per 10,000 people, needing 400,000 more by 2030
Verified28By 2028, US medical assistant jobs to grow 16% adding 114,000 positions
Verified29France projects 100,000 nurse shortage by 2030
Directional30Mexico needs 700,000 health workers by 2025
Single sourceShortages and Projections Interpretation
If we continue at this rate, our future medical miracle will be a receptionist handing you a Band-Aid and a business card that says "Good luck."
Sources & References
- Reference 1AAMCaamc.orgVisit source
- Reference 2AMA-ASSNama-assn.orgVisit source
- Reference 3AAFPaafp.orgVisit source
- Reference 4ECFMGecfmg.orgVisit source
- Reference 5CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 6ACEPacep.orgVisit source
- Reference 7MAYOCLINICPROCEEDINGSmayoclinicproceedings.orgVisit source
- Reference 8AAPaap.orgVisit source
- Reference 9PSYCHIATRYpsychiatry.orgVisit source
- Reference 10ACOGacog.orgVisit source
- Reference 11ASAHQasahq.orgVisit source
- Reference 12ACRacr.orgVisit source
- Reference 13NRMPnrmp.orgVisit source
- Reference 14CAPcap.orgVisit source
- Reference 15AANaan.comVisit source
- Reference 16AADaad.orgVisit source
- Reference 17AAOSaaos.orgVisit source
- Reference 18ACCacc.orgVisit source
- Reference 19GIgi.orgVisit source
- Reference 20AUANETauanet.orgVisit source
- Reference 21ASCOasco.orgVisit source
- Reference 22CHESTNETchestnet.orgVisit source
- Reference 23ENDO-SOCIETYendo-society.orgVisit source
- Reference 24RHEUMATOLOGYrheumatology.orgVisit source
- Reference 25NCSBNncsbn.orgVisit source
- Reference 26AHAaha.orgVisit source
- Reference 27BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 28AANPaanp.orgVisit source
- Reference 29NURSINGWORLDnursingworld.orgVisit source
- Reference 30BHWbhw.hrsa.govVisit source
- Reference 31AACNNURSINGaacnnursing.orgVisit source
- Reference 32AANAaana.comVisit source
- Reference 33INDEEDindeed.comVisit source
- Reference 34ACNMacnm.orgVisit source
- Reference 35NACNSnacns.orgVisit source
- Reference 36ANTHCanthc.orgVisit source
- Reference 37PNAPEDIATRICSpnapediatrics.orgVisit source
- Reference 38AACNaacn.orgVisit source
- Reference 39AORNaorn.orgVisit source
- Reference 40APNAapna.orgVisit source
- Reference 41NAHCnahc.orgVisit source
- Reference 42SCHOOLNURSENETschoolnursenet.nasn.orgVisit source
- Reference 43ONSons.orgVisit source
- Reference 44ENAena.orgVisit source
- Reference 45CHIEFHEALTHCAREEXECUTIVEchiefhealthcareexecutive.comVisit source
- Reference 46NANNnann.orgVisit source
- Reference 47HIMSShimss.orgVisit source
- Reference 48APTAapta.orgVisit source
- Reference 49ASHAasha.orgVisit source
- Reference 50AARCaarc.orgVisit source
- Reference 51NACDSnacds.orgVisit source
- Reference 52ASCLSascls.orgVisit source
- Reference 53ASRTasrt.orgVisit source
- Reference 54ADHAadha.orgVisit source
- Reference 55AAPAaapa.orgVisit source
- Reference 56EATRIGHTPROeatrightpro.orgVisit source
- Reference 57AOAaoa.orgVisit source
- Reference 58ASTast.orgVisit source
- Reference 59ABCPabcp.orgVisit source
- Reference 60NATAnata.orgVisit source
- Reference 61ACATODAYacatoday.orgVisit source
- Reference 62NREMTnremt.orgVisit source
- Reference 63ASCPascp.orgVisit source
- Reference 64NSGCnsgc.orgVisit source
- Reference 65AOTAaota.orgVisit source
- Reference 66ADAada.orgVisit source
- Reference 67AMTAMASSAGEamtamassage.orgVisit source
- Reference 68WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 69RURALHEALTHINFOruralhealthinfo.orgVisit source
- Reference 70NAMInami.orgVisit source
- Reference 71PHINATIONALphinational.orgVisit source
- Reference 72CIHIcihi.caVisit source
- Reference 73OECDoecd.orgVisit source
- Reference 74HEALTHhealth.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 75PHARMACYTIMESpharmacytimes.comVisit source
- Reference 76KINGSFUNDkingsfund.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 77PAHOpaho.orgVisit source
- Reference 78MHLWmhlw.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 79DESTATISdestatis.deVisit source
- Reference 80NWRCRURALHEALTHnwrcruralhealth.orgVisit source
- Reference 81HEALTHAFFAIRShealthaffairs.orgVisit source