The health sector added 127,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2014, the largest quarterly increase since at least 1990, according to the latest economic indicators from Altarum Institute's Center for Sustainable Health Spending.
The level of growth in the fourth quarter continued as 2015 began, according to the report.
The healthcare industry contributed 38,000 new jobs last month. Within the healthcare industry, ambulatory healthcare services added the most new jobs, clocking in at 22,000. Hospitals also added 10,000 jobs in January. Offices of physicians added 13,000 and nursing and residential care facilities added 7,000.
The health share of total employment is at 10.58 percent compared to the high of 10.66 percent that was last seen in December 2012, according to the report. Additionally, the report notes, health job growth has now caught up to nonhealth growth, at 2.3 percent year over year.
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