Health care employment grew by 372,000 jobs, or 2.0%, from September 2025 to September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase significantly outpaced the rest of the U.S. economy, where non-healthcare employment grew by just 124,000 jobs, or 0.1%, over the same twelve-month period.
Healthcare Employment Outpaces Broader U.S. Economy Growth
Total non-farm payroll employment changed little between August and September, continuing a flat growth trend observed throughout the previous year. However, the health sector maintained its upward trajectory despite slowing down from the average monthly gains recorded over the prior 12 months.
Jobs expanded across multiple healthcare settings, including hospitals, physician offices, outpatient care centers, and home health services. Overall, healthcare jobs now make up an all-time high proportion of total employment at 11.7%, marking a steady climb since 2016.
Drivers Behind Ten Years of Sector Expansion
Several underlying factors explain why healthcare employment continues to outpace the rest of the economy. The aging U.S. population and a rising number of individuals living with chronic conditions drive a persistent increase in demand for medical services.
Many healthcare professions offer relatively high pay, and the hands-on nature of clinical work makes these jobs less susceptible to outsourcing and automation. While sectors such as information, finance, and government contracted over the past year, healthcare absorbed workers and propelled overall non-farm employment growth past a flat 0.1% baseline up to 0.3% when included.
Policy Changes Will Increase the Number of Uninsured Individuals
Short-term demand for healthcare remains relatively inelastic compared to other services, shielding the sector from broader economic volatility. Insurers and government programs also protect patients from immediate price spikes, insulating the workforce temporarily.
Long-term projections remain complicated by upcoming policy shifts and artificial intelligence innovations. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the number of uninsured individuals will rise by over 10 million between 2025 and 2036 due to policy changes affecting the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.
These insurance losses could cause drops in patient demand and an increase in uncompensated care. Hospitals face particular vulnerability because they are legally mandated to treat and stabilize emergency patients regardless of their ability to pay, creating potential revenue squeezes that may eventually impact workforce growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Job Growth
Which economic sectors contracted while healthcare expanded?
The information sector—which includes publishing, broadcasting, and telecommunications—alongside the financial and government sectors experienced contractions that drove a lack of growth in non-healthcare employment.
How much did the rest of the economy grow compared to healthcare?
Since September 2025, the healthcare sector added 372,000 jobs, representing a 2.0% increase. In comparison, the rest of the economy added 124,000 jobs, representing a 0.1% increase.
What does the Congressional Budget Office project for insurance coverage?
The Congressional Budget Office projects that the number of uninsured people will increase by more than 10 million between 2025 and 2036 due to policy changes impacting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
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