Healthcare job cuts continue to increase, with 9,749 being announced in February — the second-most cuts that month across 30 industries, according to one new analysis.
The finding comes from a March 9 report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an executive coaching firm that examines job cuts announced by U.S.-based employers on a monthly basis.
Healthcare, which includes hospitals and healthcare products manufacturers, overall has announced a total of 16,482 job cuts this year. That is an 85 percent increase from the 8,928 cuts announced during the first two months of 2022.
"While many hospitals are still struggling to retain and attract staff, others are cutting costs as economic conditions continue to soften. Meanwhile, manufacturers of healthcare products are dealing with the increasing costs of doing business, and cutting back staff," Challenger, Gray & Christmas said in its report.
All U.S.-based employers tracked by Challenger announced a combined 77,770 job cuts last month, a 24 percent decrease from the 102,943 cuts announced the month prior. It is 410 percent higher than the 15,245 cuts announced in February 2022. It is also the highest for the month since 2009.