The healthcare and social services sector is expected to add roughly 4 million jobs by 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.
According to the BLS, about 26 percent of all new jobs created in the U.S. economy between 2008 and 2018 will be in the healthcare and social assistance industry, which includes public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and individual and family services. BLS attributes the growth to an aging population and expected medical advancements that will prolong life expectancy.
Employment among healthcare practitioners and technical occupations is expected to increase by 21 percent, resulting in a projected 1.6 million new jobs. While, employment among healthcare support occupations is expected to increase by 29 percent, or 1.1 million new jobs.
Healthcare also accounted for roughly half of the 20 fastest growing occupations. For example, the number of home health aides is expected to increase 50 percent; physical therapy aids are expected to increase 36 percent; and medical assistants are expected to increase by 34 percent.
Read the BLS report on healthcare job growth.
5 Trends in Hospital Staffing for the Next Five Years
According to the BLS, about 26 percent of all new jobs created in the U.S. economy between 2008 and 2018 will be in the healthcare and social assistance industry, which includes public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and individual and family services. BLS attributes the growth to an aging population and expected medical advancements that will prolong life expectancy.
Employment among healthcare practitioners and technical occupations is expected to increase by 21 percent, resulting in a projected 1.6 million new jobs. While, employment among healthcare support occupations is expected to increase by 29 percent, or 1.1 million new jobs.
Healthcare also accounted for roughly half of the 20 fastest growing occupations. For example, the number of home health aides is expected to increase 50 percent; physical therapy aids are expected to increase 36 percent; and medical assistants are expected to increase by 34 percent.
Read the BLS report on healthcare job growth.
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