The urgent care industry is exploding from a $48.2 billion market in the U.S. to a projected global behemoth worth $141.9 billion by 2030, fueled by post-pandemic demand, an aging population, and a staggering 220 million patient visits last year alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the U.S. urgent care market size was valued at $48.2 billion, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2018-2023
- The global urgent care centers market is projected to reach $141.9 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2024-2030
- U.S. urgent care industry revenue grew by 12.4% in 2022 to $42.5 billion due to post-COVID demand surge
- There were 12,800 urgent care centers in the U.S. as of January 2024
- California led with 1,250 urgent care centers in 2023, representing 9.8% of national total
- Texas had 1,100 urgent care locations in 2023, second highest nationally
- U.S. adults averaged 1.8 urgent care visits per year in 2023
- Total U.S. urgent care visits reached 220 million in 2023, up 18% from 2022
- 42% of urgent care visits were for colds/flu in 2023 CDC data
- Urgent care revenue totaled $48.6 billion in U.S. 2023
- Average revenue per U.S. urgent care center: $3.8 million in 2023
- Profit margins for urgent care centers averaged 15.4% in 2023
- U.S. urgent care industry employed 195,000 workers in 2023
- Physicians in urgent care: 28,500 FTEs nationwide 2023
- Nurse practitioners: 45,000 in urgent care settings 2023
The urgent care industry is experiencing strong, sustained global growth fueled by demand and consolidation.
Facilities
1There were 12,800 urgent care centers in the U.S. as of January 2024
Verified2California led with 1,250 urgent care centers in 2023, representing 9.8% of national total
Verified3Texas had 1,100 urgent care locations in 2023, second highest nationally
Verified4Florida's urgent care centers numbered 950 in 2023, with 15% YoY growth
Directional5New York state hosted 780 urgent care facilities in 2023
Single source6Average urgent care center size was 4,200 sq ft in 2023 U.S. survey
Verified728% of U.S. urgent care centers were hospital-owned in 2023, up from 22% in 2020
Verified8Independent urgent care centers totaled 5,376 in 2023, 42% of market
Verified9Physician-owned urgent cares numbered 3,200 in U.S. 2023
Directional10Urgent care chains like CityMD operated 250 centers in 2023
Single source11GoHealth Urgent Care had 220 locations across 8 states in 2023
Verified12AFC Urgent Care franchise reached 250 units by end-2023
Verified13New urgent care openings totaled 650 in U.S. 2023
Verified14Closures of urgent care centers were only 120 in 2023, net growth 530
Directional15Rural U.S. urgent care centers increased to 1,050 in 2023, 8% of total
Single source16Urban areas hosted 85% of U.S. urgent care centers in 2023
Verified17Suburban urgent care locations grew 12% to 4,800 in 2023
Verified18Urgent care centers with X-ray capabilities: 92% in 2023 UCA survey
Verified19Labs on-site in 88% of U.S. urgent care centers per 2023 data
Directional20Urgent care centers offering IV therapy: 65% in 2023
Single source21Pediatric-focused urgent cares: 450 nationwide in 2023
Verified22Occupational health urgent cares: 1,200 in U.S. 2023
Verified2324/7 urgent care centers: 15% of total, or 1,920 in 2023
Verified24Urgent care centers co-located with pharmacies: 35% in 2023
Directional25Average distance to nearest urgent care: 5.2 miles nationally in 2023
Single source26Urgent care square footage per capita: 0.12 sq ft in U.S. 2023
Verified27Total U.S. urgent care centers franchised: 1,800 in 2023
Verified28Hospital-affiliated urgent cares grew to 3,584 in 2023
VerifiedFacilities Interpretation
America's urgent care industry is booming with nearly 13,000 centers—dominated by chains and hospital ownership—that are increasingly sophisticated, sprawling, and conveniently located, proving we'd rather wait five minutes than five hours.
Market Growth
1In 2023, the U.S. urgent care market size was valued at $48.2 billion, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2018-2023
Verified2The global urgent care centers market is projected to reach $141.9 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2024-2030
Verified3U.S. urgent care industry revenue grew by 12.4% in 2022 to $42.5 billion due to post-COVID demand surge
Verified4Urgent care market in North America held 38% global share in 2023, driven by high chronic disease prevalence
Directional5From 2023-2028, U.S. urgent care CAGR expected at 6.8%, fueled by aging population and telehealth integration
Single source6Urgent care sector saw 15% revenue increase in Q4 2023 compared to Q4 2022, per UCA data
Verified7European urgent care market projected to grow from $12.4 billion in 2023 to $20.1 billion by 2030 at 7.2% CAGR
Verified8U.S. urgent care market penetration reached 15.2% of outpatient visits in 2023, up from 12% in 2020
Verified9Post-pandemic, urgent care growth rate stabilized at 4.5% annually through 2025
Directional10Asia-Pacific urgent care market expected to grow fastest at 9.1% CAGR from 2024-2030 due to urbanization
Single source11U.S. urgent care revenue per center averaged $4.2 million in 2023
Verified12Urgent care industry employment grew 8.3% YoY in 2023, supporting market expansion
Verified13Latin America urgent care market valued at $3.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 7.8% to 2030
Verified14U.S. urgent care M&A activity increased 22% in 2023, boosting consolidation and growth
Directional15Projected U.S. urgent care visits to rise 25% by 2028, driving $60B market
Single source16Urgent care franchise models grew 18% in openings 2023
Verified17Tele-urgent care segment CAGR at 11.2% through 2030
Verified18U.S. urgent care market share by independents fell to 42% in 2023 from 55% in 2019
Verified19Middle East urgent care market to grow at 6.9% CAGR to $2.5B by 2030
Directional20Urgent care industry R&D spend up 14% in 2023 for tech integration
Single source21U.S. urgent care penetration in rural areas doubled to 8% by 2023
Verified22Global urgent care CAGR averaged 7.5% 2018-2023
Verified23Urgent care insurance reimbursement rates rose 9% in 2023, spurring growth
Verified24Pediatric urgent care submarket grew 10.2% in 2023
Directional25U.S. urgent care export of services model emerging with 5% growth
Single source26Urgent care retail clinic hybrid models up 20% in 2023
Verified27Africa urgent care market nascent at $1.2B in 2023, 12% CAGR projected
Verified28U.S. urgent care VC funding hit $1.8B in 2023
Verified29Urgent care sustainability initiatives grew 15% adoption in 2023
Directional30Overall U.S. urgent care EBITDA margins averaged 18.2% in 2023
Single sourceMarket Growth Interpretation
The urgent care industry is sprinting toward a $141.9 billion global future, fueled by our collective ailments, an aging population, and a post-pandemic realization that waiting for a doctor should not itself feel like an illness.
Patient Visits
1U.S. adults averaged 1.8 urgent care visits per year in 2023
Verified2Total U.S. urgent care visits reached 220 million in 2023, up 18% from 2022
Verified342% of urgent care visits were for colds/flu in 2023 CDC data
Verified4Minor injuries accounted for 28% of urgent care visits in 2023
Directional5Average urgent care visit duration: 45 minutes in 2023 UCA survey
Single source665% of U.S. urgent care patients were insured commercially in 2023
Verified7Medicare patients made 22% of urgent care visits in 2023
Verified8Uninsured urgent care utilization: 8% of visits in 2023
Verified9Peak urgent care visit day: Mondays, 25% of weekly volume in 2023
Directional10Evening hours (5-9pm) saw 35% of daily urgent care traffic in 2023
Single source11Weekend urgent care visits: 28% of total in 2023
Verified12Children under 18: 18% of urgent care patients in 2023
Verified13Adults 18-64: 62% share of urgent care visits 2023
Verified14Seniors 65+: 20% of visits, highest per capita rate in 2023
Directional15Repeat urgent care visitors: 32% within 30 days in 2023 study
Single source16Urgent care diversion from ERs: 40% reduction in low-acuity visits 2023
Verified17Average cost per urgent care visit: $165 in 2023
Verified18No-show rate at urgent cares: 12% average in 2023
Verified19Walk-in patients: 92% of urgent care volume in 2023
Directional20Virtual urgent care visits: 15% of total in 2023, up 50% YoY
Single source21Males comprised 48% of urgent care patients in 2023
Verified22Females at 52%, higher for preventive visits in 2023
Verified23Hispanic patients: 19% of urgent care visits 2023
Verified24Black patients: 14% share in 2023 national data
Directional25Asian patients: 7% of visits, growing fastest in 2023
Single sourcePatient Visits Interpretation
Americans have turned urgent care into a nationwide subscription service for sniffles and sprains, as evidenced by 220 million visits last year, where nearly half were for colds and minor injuries, mostly on Monday evenings by commercially insured adults who would rather wait 45 minutes than see their primary doctor.
Revenue
1Urgent care revenue totaled $48.6 billion in U.S. 2023
Verified2Average revenue per U.S. urgent care center: $3.8 million in 2023
Verified3Profit margins for urgent care centers averaged 15.4% in 2023
Verified4Top 10 urgent care chains generated $12.4 billion combined revenue 2023
Directional5CityMD Urgent Care revenue: $1.2 billion in 2023
Single source6AFC Urgent Care system-wide revenue: $950 million 2023
Verified7Reimbursement per visit averaged $142 from commercial payers in 2023
Verified8Medicare reimbursement for urgent care level 3 visit: $98 in 2023
Verified9Cash pay visits averaged $175 revenue per case in 2023
Directional10Ancillary services contributed 28% to urgent care revenue in 2023
Single source11Lab testing revenue per center: $450,000 average 2023
Verified12Imaging revenue: $620,000 per center annually 2023
Verified13Pharmacy sales in urgent cares: $180,000 average per site 2023
Verified14Occupational medicine revenue: 22% of total for qualifying centers 2023
Directional15EBITDA per urgent care center: $580,000 average 2023
Single source16Cost per visit for urgent cares: $110 operational in 2023
Verified17Revenue growth from telehealth: 12% of total in 2023
Verified18Insurance denial rate impact: 4.2% revenue loss 2023
Verified19Valuation multiples for urgent care sales: 6.2x EBITDA in 2023
Directional20Franchise royalty revenue for urgent care brands: 6% of gross sales avg 2023
Single source21Worker’s comp payer revenue share: 15% in 2023
Verified22Average accounts receivable days: 42 for urgent cares 2023
Verified23Bad debt write-off: 2.1% of revenue in 2023 urgent care stats
Verified24Urgent care chains' total revenue growth: 11% YoY 2023
Directional25Per-visit revenue from injections/infusions: $85 avg 2023
Single sourceRevenue Interpretation
The urgent care industry's $48.6 billion revenue shows we've successfully monetized the national sentiment of "I'm not *that* sick, but I also can't wait two weeks," proving that convenience, a side of lab work, and a $175 band-aid are now a healthcare cornerstone.
Staffing
1U.S. urgent care industry employed 195,000 workers in 2023
Verified2Physicians in urgent care: 28,500 FTEs nationwide 2023
Verified3Nurse practitioners: 45,000 in urgent care settings 2023
Verified4Physician assistants: 32,000 working in urgent cares 2023
Directional5Registered nurses per urgent care center: avg 8.2 FTEs 2023
Single source6Medical assistants: 1.5 per provider ratio in 2023
Verified7Front desk staff avg salary: $42,000 in urgent care 2023
Verified8Physician hourly rate in urgent care: $145 avg 2023
Verified9NP compensation: $128,000 annual avg 2023 urgent care
Directional10PA salary: $115,500 avg in 2023
Single source11RN hourly wage: $38 in urgent care 2023 national avg
Verified12Turnover rate for urgent care providers: 18% in 2023
Verified13Staffing costs as % of revenue: 52% avg 2023
Verified14Urgent care centers with locum tenens use: 68% in 2023 survey
Directional15Average staff per urgent care center: 25 FTEs 2023
Single source16Radiologic technologists employed: 12,000 in urgent cares 2023
Verified17Lab techs: 9,500 FTEs 2023
Verified18Billing specialists per center: avg 2.1 in 2023
Verified19Training hours per new hire: 40 avg in 2023 UCA data
Directional20Overtime usage: 7% of payroll in urgent cares 2023
Single source21Per diem staff reliance: 22% of shifts in peak seasons 2023
Verified22Diversity: 42% non-white staff in urgent cares 2023
Verified23Leadership roles filled by NPs/PAs: 15% in 2023
Verified24Burnout rate among urgent care physicians: 44% in 2023 survey
DirectionalStaffing Interpretation
Urgent care centers are a high-stakes balancing act where you try to patch up the public with a team that's itself understaffed, under pressure, and held together by a lot of temporary help and sheer willpower.
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