Healthcare systems are already feeling workforce strain as demand rises faster than staffing capacity. The latest data for allied health roles shows sharp gaps, including 258,000 licensed physical therapists in the US and 320,000 medical laboratory scientists that are short by 11%. In the same workforce snapshot, speech-language pathologists reached 179,000 in the US while other critical specialties remain under pressure.
Key Takeaways
- Physical therapists (PTs) in the US numbered 258,000 licensed in 2023
- In 2023, 37% of US physicians were women, up from 28% in 2007
- As of 2023, registered nurses (RNs) in the US numbered 3.2 million, with 2.8 million actively practicing
- 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
- Average tenure of physicians in practice is 10 years, with higher turnover in underserved areas
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a shortage of 200,000 RNs by 2030
Healthcare workforce statistics show growing staffing needs, making recruitment and retention more urgent than ever.
Related reading
01 · Category
Allied Health25 stats
01
Physical therapists (PTs) in the US numbered 258,000 licensed in 2023
02
Occupational therapists (OTs) totaled 139,000 in the US in 2022, growing 14% from 2018
03
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) reached 179,000 in the US in 2023
04
Registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) numbered 140,000 in the US in 2022
05
Pharmacists totaled 330,000 licensed in the US in 2023
06
Medical laboratory scientists (MLS) were 320,000 in the US in 2021, short by 11%
07
Radiologic technologists numbered 208,000 in the US in 2022
08
Dental hygienists totaled 228,000 in the US in 2023
09
Physician assistants (PAs) reached 159,000 certified in the US in 2023
10
Dietitians/nutritionists numbered 112,000 in the US in 2022
11
In 2023, optometrists totaled 42,000 practicing in the US
12
Audiologists numbered 19,000 in the US in 2022
13
Certified surgical technologists (CSTs) were 110,000 in the US in 2023
14
Perfusionists totaled 4,000 certified in the US in 2022
15
In 2021, athletic trainers numbered 58,000 certified in the US
16
Chiropractors totaled 77,000 licensed in the US in 2023
17
EMTs/paramedics numbered 861,000 in the US in 2022
18
Medical assistants totaled 764,000 employed in the US in 2023
19
Phlebotomists numbered 102,000 in the US in 2022
20
In 2023, genetic counselors totaled 5,000 certified in the US
21
Respiratory care practitioners vacancy rate was 10% in US hospitals in 2022
22
In 2021, physical therapist assistants numbered 102,000 in the US
23
Occupational therapy assistants totaled 57,000 in the US in 2023
24
Dental assistants numbered 370,000 in the US in 2022
25
In 2023, massage therapists totaled 293,000 licensed in the US
Interpretation
Allied 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.
02 · Category
Demographics19 stats
01
In 2023, 37% of US physicians were women, up from 28% in 2007
02
RN workforce in US is 80% white, 7% Black, 6% Asian in 2023
03
Average age of US physicians is 52 years, with 25% over 65 in 2022
04
In 2021, 9% of RNs were Hispanic/Latino, doubling since 2004
05
56% of US medical students were women in 2023 entering class
06
US health workforce has 76% women overall, 24% men in 2022
07
In 2023, 5.8% of physicians were Black/African American
08
Nurse practitioners are 89% women, 11% men in US 2023
09
18% of US PAs identified as Hispanic in 2022
10
Average age of RNs is 48 years in 2023, with 52% aged 40+
11
In 2021, 22% of physicians were Asian, highest among non-primary specialties
12
US allied health workforce is 82% female, particularly in therapy fields
13
4.1% of US physicians were Hispanic in 2023
14
In 2022, 12% of RNs held doctoral degrees, up 3x since 2010
15
Rural physicians are 70% male vs 55% urban in US 2021
16
In 2023, 15% of new RN licenses went to men
17
US PT workforce is 54% female under 35 years old in 2022
18
3% of physicians are Native American/Alaska Native in 2021
19
In 2023, 25% of NPs were from underrepresented minorities
Interpretation
Demographics 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.
03 · Category
Nurses28 stats
01
As of 2023, registered nurses (RNs) in the US numbered 3.2 million, with 2.8 million actively practicing
02
In 2022, the RN vacancy rate in US hospitals averaged 17.1%, up from 9.9% pre-pandemic
03
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)/licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) totaled 654,000 in the US in 2023
04
In 2021, 82% of RNs were employed in nursing, with average age of 49 years
05
Nurse practitioners (NPs) reached 355,000 in the US in 2023, growing 9% annually
06
In 2022, 6.3% of RNs reported intent to leave their job within a year
07
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) totaled 458,000 in the US in 2023
08
In 2021, baccalaureate-prepared RNs comprised 56% of the workforce, up from 49% in 2010
09
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) numbered 45,000 in the US in 2023
10
In 2022, the turnover rate for hospital RNs was 27.4%, costing $8.9 million per hospital on average
11
Nurse midwives totaled 14,000 in the US in 2023
12
In 2021, 9.1% of RNs were male, increasing from 6.6% in 2008
13
Clinical nurse specialists numbered 89,000 in the US in 2022
14
In 2023, RN employment in ambulatory settings grew 12% to 450,000
15
Dialysis RNs totaled 35,000 in the US in 2022
16
In 2021, 31% of RNs worked in hospitals, down from 60% in 2000
17
Pediatric nurses numbered 250,000 RNs specializing in pediatrics in the US in 2023
18
In 2022, critical care RNs faced 18% vacancy rates in ICUs
19
Operating room RNs totaled 250,000 in the US in 2023
20
In 2021, psychiatric-mental health RNs were 40,000 certified in the US
21
Home health RNs grew to 400,000 employed in the US in 2023
22
In 2022, school nurses numbered 68,000 full-time equivalents in US public schools
23
Oncology certified nurses (OCNs) totaled 35,000 in the US in 2023
24
In 2021, gerontological RNs comprised 12% of the workforce
25
Emergency department RNs faced 22% vacancy in 2022 US hospitals
26
In 2023, travel nurses peaked at 80,000 deployed in the US
27
Neonatal RNs numbered 50,000 certified in the US in 2022
28
In 2021, informatics nurses totaled 25,000 certified in the US
Interpretation
Nurses 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Physicians30 stats
01
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
02
As of 2021, there were 1,047,221 active physicians in the US, with 56.7% being men and 43.3% women
03
In 2022, the physician supply grew by 2.6% to approximately 1.1 million active physicians in the US
04
Primary care physicians made up 36.9% of the active physician workforce in the US in 2021, totaling about 386,000
05
In 2023, the average age of active US physicians was 52.6 years, with 38% aged 55 or older
06
Surgical specialists comprised 18.5% of active physicians in 2021, numbering around 194,000 in the US
07
From 2019 to 2021, the number of female physicians increased by 5.2%, reaching 453,000 in the US
08
In 2022, there were 27,878 international medical graduates (IMGs) actively practicing as physicians in the US
09
The ratio of active physicians to population in the US was 264 per 100,000 in 2021
10
Emergency medicine physicians numbered 47,000 in the US in 2022, facing a projected shortage of 10,000 by 2030
11
In 2023, 62% of US physicians reported burnout symptoms, up from 45% in 2018
12
Pediatricians in the US totaled 62,000 active in 2021, with a shortage projected at 19,500 by 2033
13
In 2022, the US had 91,000 psychiatrists, but demand required 45,000 more to meet mental health needs
14
Obstetrician-gynecologists numbered 38,000 in the US in 2021, with rural shortages affecting 50% of counties
15
In 2023, active anesthesiologists in the US reached 50,000, projected to shortage by 12,500 by 2036
16
Radiologists comprised 37,000 active physicians in the US in 2022
17
From 2017-2021, the number of US MD seniors matching into residencies increased by 15% to 18,000 annually
18
In 2021, 78% of active physicians were US medical school graduates
19
Pathologists numbered 22,000 in the US in 2022, with a projected surplus of 1,500 by 2030
20
In 2023, family medicine physicians totaled 121,000 in the US
21
Neurologists in the US were 16,000 active in 2021, short by 20% nationally
22
Dermatologists numbered 12,000 in the US in 2022
23
In 2023, orthopedic surgeons reached 24,000 active in the US
24
Cardiologists totaled 35,000 in the US in 2021, projected shortage of 4,000 by 2030
25
Gastroenterologists were 15,000 active in the US in 2022
26
Urologists numbered 12,500 in the US in 2023
27
In 2021, oncologists totaled 14,000 in the US, short by 1,400 FTEs
28
Pulmonologists were 16,000 active in the US in 2022
29
In 2023, endocrinologists numbered 7,000 in the US, facing acute shortages
30
Rheumatologists totaled 5,500 active physicians in the US in 2021
Interpretation
Physicians 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.
05 · Category
Retention10 stats
01
Average tenure of physicians in practice is 10 years, with higher turnover in underserved areas
02
47% of nurses reported job dissatisfaction in 2023, leading to 20% turnover intent
03
Physician retention rate in rural US is 65% after 5 years vs 85% urban
04
In 2022, 31% of new RNs left within first year
05
Loan forgiveness programs retain 70% of physicians in underserved areas post-commitment
06
Nurse burnout led to 100,000 RNs leaving workforce in 2022
07
PA retention in primary care is 82% after 3 years with incentives
08
In 2023, 62% physicians plan to reduce hours or retire early due to burnout
09
Hospital nurse retention improved 5% with wellness programs in 2022
10
40% of therapists report intent to leave field within 5 years due to workload
Interpretation
Retention 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.
06 · Category
Shortages and Projections30 stats
01
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a shortage of 200,000 RNs by 2030
02
HRSA forecasts a deficit of 84,000 physician assistants by 2034
03
By 2034, the US could face a shortage of 139,000 physicians according to AAMC 2023 update
04
WHO estimates global health worker shortage of 10 million by 2030, with 6 million nurses needed
05
US will need 1.2 million more nurses by 2030 per NCSBN projections
06
BLS projects 15% growth in PT jobs from 2022-2032, adding 38,000 positions
07
Rural US areas have 40% fewer primary care physicians per capita than urban
08
By 2030, US mental health workforce shortage projected at 78,000 psychiatrists and psychologists
09
HRSA projects 44,000 dentist shortage by 2030 in underserved areas
10
Global shortage of 18 million health workers by 2030, mostly in low-income countries
11
US home health aide shortage projected at 355,000 by 2030 per PHI
12
By 2040, Canada anticipates 91,000 RN shortage
13
EU faces 1 million nurse shortage by 2025 per OECD
14
US lab workforce projected to decline 11% by 2029 due to retirements
15
By 2033, US needs 70,000 more OTs amid 12% job growth
16
Australia projects 85,000 health worker shortage by 2025
17
US pharmacy technician shortage of 50,000 projected by 2030
18
By 2040, UK NHS faces 250,000 staff shortage
19
India needs 2.4 million more nurses by 2024 per WHO
20
US RT shortage projected at 27,000 by 2026
21
Brazil anticipates 1.3 million health worker gap by 2030
22
By 2030, US will need 123,000 more PAs per AAPA
23
Japan projects 500,000 caregiver shortage by 2025 due to aging
24
South Africa faces 48,000 nurse shortage by 2030
25
By 2034, US SLP shortage of 50,000 projected
26
Germany needs 500,000 more health workers by 2035
27
Nigeria has 1.5 doctors per 10,000 people, needing 400,000 more by 2030
28
By 2028, US medical assistant jobs to grow 16% adding 114,000 positions
29
France projects 100,000 nurse shortage by 2030
30
Mexico needs 700,000 health workers by 2025
Interpretation
Shortages 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."
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
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Healthcare Workforce Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/healthcare-workforce-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Healthcare Workforce Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/healthcare-workforce-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Healthcare Workforce Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/healthcare-workforce-statistics.
Sources & references
81 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level