Healthcare Set to Lead US Job Growth Through 2035
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections show healthcare accounting for 37% of new US jobs over the next decade.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects healthcare will account for 37% of new US jobs through 2035. Private sector healthcare and social assistance employment is expected to grow by more than 2.2 million from 2025 to 2035.
Why it matters
The projected growth signals sustained demand for healthcare workers across the United States. Growth is being driven by an aging population and a greater prevalence of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Healthcare and social assistance is projected to grow 9.5% from 2025 to 2035, second only to utilities at 9.8%, and healthcare staffing revenue is estimated at $39 billion this year, up about 1% from 2025.
The players
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
The federal agency that produces the nation's principal labor market data, including the employment projections cited in this story.
SIA Healthcare Staffing Summit
An annual industry gathering of healthcare staffing executives hosted by the Staffing Industry Analysts organization.
The details
The Bureau of Labor Statistics produced the projections through new research on industry employment, based on private sector growth across major sectors from 2025 to 2035. Nurse practitioners are the fastest-growing healthcare occupation, with new positions projected to increase by 137,800 over the same period.
Timeline
2025 to 2035: projected period of healthcare and social assistance job growth.
Nov. 9-11: SIA Healthcare Staffing Summit in Arlington, Texas.
Roadmap
Healthcare's projected share of new jobs builds on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' ongoing ten-year employment projection series. The forecast places healthcare ahead of nearly every other sector, with utilities the only major industry expected to grow faster.
Job seekers considering healthcare careers face a sector projected to lead national hiring over the next decade. Nurse practitioner roles stand out as the fastest-growing healthcare occupation in the projections.
The takeaway
Healthcare is set to anchor US job growth through 2035, making it a sector worth watching for anyone planning a career move. Roles like nurse practitioner are projected to expand fastest within the field.
What happens next
The SIA Healthcare Staffing Summit takes place Nov. 9-11 in Arlington, Texas, where healthcare staffing revenue and workforce trends are expected to be discussed.
Further reading
For more on where these openings are emerging, explore Nursing Jobs coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA).
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Do you think healthcare job growth will open better career options for you?
