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
- 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
- Florida's urgent care centers numbered 950 in 2023, with 15% YoY growth
- New York state hosted 780 urgent care facilities in 2023
- Average urgent care center size was 4,200 sq ft in 2023 U.S. survey
- 28% of U.S. urgent care centers were hospital-owned in 2023, up from 22% in 2020
- Independent urgent care centers totaled 5,376 in 2023, 42% of market
- Physician-owned urgent cares numbered 3,200 in U.S. 2023
- Urgent care chains like CityMD operated 250 centers in 2023
- GoHealth Urgent Care had 220 locations across 8 states in 2023
- AFC Urgent Care franchise reached 250 units by end-2023
- New urgent care openings totaled 650 in U.S. 2023
- Closures of urgent care centers were only 120 in 2023, net growth 530
- Rural U.S. urgent care centers increased to 1,050 in 2023, 8% of total
- Urban areas hosted 85% of U.S. urgent care centers in 2023
- Suburban urgent care locations grew 12% to 4,800 in 2023
- Urgent care centers with X-ray capabilities: 92% in 2023 UCA survey
- Labs on-site in 88% of U.S. urgent care centers per 2023 data
- Urgent care centers offering IV therapy: 65% in 2023
- Pediatric-focused urgent cares: 450 nationwide in 2023
- Occupational health urgent cares: 1,200 in U.S. 2023
- 24/7 urgent care centers: 15% of total, or 1,920 in 2023
- Urgent care centers co-located with pharmacies: 35% in 2023
- Average distance to nearest urgent care: 5.2 miles nationally in 2023
- Urgent care square footage per capita: 0.12 sq ft in U.S. 2023
- Total U.S. urgent care centers franchised: 1,800 in 2023
- Hospital-affiliated urgent cares grew to 3,584 in 2023
Facilities 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
- 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
- Urgent care market in North America held 38% global share in 2023, driven by high chronic disease prevalence
- From 2023-2028, U.S. urgent care CAGR expected at 6.8%, fueled by aging population and telehealth integration
- Urgent care sector saw 15% revenue increase in Q4 2023 compared to Q4 2022, per UCA data
- European urgent care market projected to grow from $12.4 billion in 2023 to $20.1 billion by 2030 at 7.2% CAGR
- U.S. urgent care market penetration reached 15.2% of outpatient visits in 2023, up from 12% in 2020
- Post-pandemic, urgent care growth rate stabilized at 4.5% annually through 2025
- Asia-Pacific urgent care market expected to grow fastest at 9.1% CAGR from 2024-2030 due to urbanization
- U.S. urgent care revenue per center averaged $4.2 million in 2023
- Urgent care industry employment grew 8.3% YoY in 2023, supporting market expansion
- Latin America urgent care market valued at $3.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 7.8% to 2030
- U.S. urgent care M&A activity increased 22% in 2023, boosting consolidation and growth
- Projected U.S. urgent care visits to rise 25% by 2028, driving $60B market
- Urgent care franchise models grew 18% in openings 2023
- Tele-urgent care segment CAGR at 11.2% through 2030
- U.S. urgent care market share by independents fell to 42% in 2023 from 55% in 2019
- Middle East urgent care market to grow at 6.9% CAGR to $2.5B by 2030
- Urgent care industry R&D spend up 14% in 2023 for tech integration
- U.S. urgent care penetration in rural areas doubled to 8% by 2023
- Global urgent care CAGR averaged 7.5% 2018-2023
- Urgent care insurance reimbursement rates rose 9% in 2023, spurring growth
- Pediatric urgent care submarket grew 10.2% in 2023
- U.S. urgent care export of services model emerging with 5% growth
- Urgent care retail clinic hybrid models up 20% in 2023
- Africa urgent care market nascent at $1.2B in 2023, 12% CAGR projected
- U.S. urgent care VC funding hit $1.8B in 2023
- Urgent care sustainability initiatives grew 15% adoption in 2023
- Overall U.S. urgent care EBITDA margins averaged 18.2% in 2023
Market 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
- 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
- Minor injuries accounted for 28% of urgent care visits in 2023
- Average urgent care visit duration: 45 minutes in 2023 UCA survey
- 65% of U.S. urgent care patients were insured commercially in 2023
- Medicare patients made 22% of urgent care visits in 2023
- Uninsured urgent care utilization: 8% of visits in 2023
- Peak urgent care visit day: Mondays, 25% of weekly volume in 2023
- Evening hours (5-9pm) saw 35% of daily urgent care traffic in 2023
- Weekend urgent care visits: 28% of total in 2023
- Children under 18: 18% of urgent care patients in 2023
- Adults 18-64: 62% share of urgent care visits 2023
- Seniors 65+: 20% of visits, highest per capita rate in 2023
- Repeat urgent care visitors: 32% within 30 days in 2023 study
- Urgent care diversion from ERs: 40% reduction in low-acuity visits 2023
- Average cost per urgent care visit: $165 in 2023
- No-show rate at urgent cares: 12% average in 2023
- Walk-in patients: 92% of urgent care volume in 2023
- Virtual urgent care visits: 15% of total in 2023, up 50% YoY
- Males comprised 48% of urgent care patients in 2023
- Females at 52%, higher for preventive visits in 2023
- Hispanic patients: 19% of urgent care visits 2023
- Black patients: 14% share in 2023 national data
- Asian patients: 7% of visits, growing fastest in 2023
Patient 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
- 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
- Top 10 urgent care chains generated $12.4 billion combined revenue 2023
- CityMD Urgent Care revenue: $1.2 billion in 2023
- AFC Urgent Care system-wide revenue: $950 million 2023
- Reimbursement per visit averaged $142 from commercial payers in 2023
- Medicare reimbursement for urgent care level 3 visit: $98 in 2023
- Cash pay visits averaged $175 revenue per case in 2023
- Ancillary services contributed 28% to urgent care revenue in 2023
- Lab testing revenue per center: $450,000 average 2023
- Imaging revenue: $620,000 per center annually 2023
- Pharmacy sales in urgent cares: $180,000 average per site 2023
- Occupational medicine revenue: 22% of total for qualifying centers 2023
- EBITDA per urgent care center: $580,000 average 2023
- Cost per visit for urgent cares: $110 operational in 2023
- Revenue growth from telehealth: 12% of total in 2023
- Insurance denial rate impact: 4.2% revenue loss 2023
- Valuation multiples for urgent care sales: 6.2x EBITDA in 2023
- Franchise royalty revenue for urgent care brands: 6% of gross sales avg 2023
- Worker’s comp payer revenue share: 15% in 2023
- Average accounts receivable days: 42 for urgent cares 2023
- Bad debt write-off: 2.1% of revenue in 2023 urgent care stats
- Urgent care chains' total revenue growth: 11% YoY 2023
- Per-visit revenue from injections/infusions: $85 avg 2023
Revenue 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
- 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
- Physician assistants: 32,000 working in urgent cares 2023
- Registered nurses per urgent care center: avg 8.2 FTEs 2023
- Medical assistants: 1.5 per provider ratio in 2023
- Front desk staff avg salary: $42,000 in urgent care 2023
- Physician hourly rate in urgent care: $145 avg 2023
- NP compensation: $128,000 annual avg 2023 urgent care
- PA salary: $115,500 avg in 2023
- RN hourly wage: $38 in urgent care 2023 national avg
- Turnover rate for urgent care providers: 18% in 2023
- Staffing costs as % of revenue: 52% avg 2023
- Urgent care centers with locum tenens use: 68% in 2023 survey
- Average staff per urgent care center: 25 FTEs 2023
- Radiologic technologists employed: 12,000 in urgent cares 2023
- Lab techs: 9,500 FTEs 2023
- Billing specialists per center: avg 2.1 in 2023
- Training hours per new hire: 40 avg in 2023 UCA data
- Overtime usage: 7% of payroll in urgent cares 2023
- Per diem staff reliance: 22% of shifts in peak seasons 2023
- Diversity: 42% non-white staff in urgent cares 2023
- Leadership roles filled by NPs/PAs: 15% in 2023
- Burnout rate among urgent care physicians: 44% in 2023 survey
Staffing 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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