The healthcare industry has faced numerous workforce challenges, including higher costs and turnover rates. Fortunately, the sector appears to be recovering from losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The healthcare sector added 60,000 jobs during the month of September, according to the latest numbers for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As a result, the employment level in healthcare returned to its February 2020 level, before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Within healthcare, ambulatory health services and hospitals each added 28,000 jobs during the month.
In fact, healthcare job growth was so strong in September, it was one of the leading sectors across the economy for the month’s labor report. Overall, 263,000 jobs were added to the economy in September.
The high number of jobs added during September follows job growth in August, when healthcare added 48,000 jobs.
The jobs report comes as hospitals are facing major losses this year with negative operating margins, according to several reports from Kaufman Hall. Inflation is playing a big role in higher costs for hospitals and health systems, but higher labor costs are also playing a role. Demand for certain specialties soared through the height of the pandemic, leading to wage increases and benefits expansions across the industry.
Beyond healthcare, leisure and hospitality also made big gains in employment, adding 83,000 jobs during the month. However, the sector is still below its pre-pandemic levels, missing its February 2020 level by 1.1 million jobs, or 6.7%.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."