Health Care Jobs Continue to Grow

Posted by Kathy Quan Mar 13, 2008

Despite the economic downturn, in the U.S. health care jobs continue to grow. According to figures released on March 7, 208, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in health care grew by 36,000 in February, 2008.

The health care jobs counted are in areas of ambulatory health care services such as physician offices, clinics, outpatient centers and home health care; hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities and day care.

At the same time, jobs in manufacturing declined by 52,000 jobs, construction declined by 39,000 jobs, and the retail industry lost 34,000 jobs. Unemployment was at 4.8% for February, 2008.

Health care jobs are projected to continue to grow well into the next decade independent of any recession or other economic changes. The population is aging and will continue to grow. The BLS has projected that the population in the U.S. will have increased by 23.9 million from 2004 to 2014. By 2014, the largest segment of the population known as the Baby Boomers will range in age from 50 to 68 and will be demanding more and better health care.

The current workforce is aging as well and for example, the average age of nurses by 2010 will be over 45. The average age of graduate RNs today is 31. As this workforce continues to age and retire the need for replacements will continue to grow.