In 2016 on the Healthcare Recruiters International blog, I shared a 10-year healthcare job outlook as to what the top five healthcare jobs would be in 2024. Well, 2024, has come and gone. And today, the state of the world and the outlook is very different.
Rather than just tell you what the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is forecasting today, I wanted to lay them out side by side because I think that really illuminates the changes taking place in the healthcare industry. Let me know what you think about the parallels and differences by reaching out on LinkedIn.
The Raw Data – 2025 Projections, 2023 Actuals and 2033 Healthcare Job Outlook
First, let me give you the hard facts. If you’re a number’s person like me, enjoy! Continue reading below for my breakdown and analysis.
| Top 5 Jobs | US BLS Occupation Code | 2014 Employment | 2014’s Projection of 2024 | 2023 Actuals | 2033 Projections |
| Registered Nurse | 29-1141 | 2,751,000 | 3,190,300 | 3,300,100 | 3,497,300 |
| Home Health Aides | 31-1120 | 913,500 | 1,261,900 | 3,961,900 | 4,784,400 |
| Medical Assistants | 31-9092 | 591,300 | 730,200 | 783,900 | 901,900 |
| Audiologists | 29-1181 | 13,200 | 16,900 | 14,400 | 16,000 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 29-2052 | 372,500 | 432,100 | 463,900 | 497,200 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 29-1171 | not included in the list in previous blog | 292,500 | 427,900 | |
| Physician’s Assistants | 29-1071 | 153,400 | 197,100 | ||
| Medical & Health Services Managers | 11-9111 | 562,700 | 723,300 | ||
| Physical Therapy Assistants | 31-2021 | 108,500 | 136,000 | ||
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 31-2011 | 47,500 | 58,100 | ||
All data was sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Column “2014 employment and 2014’s Projection of 2025” was retrieved in 2016 and cited in “Top 5 Healthcare Jobs That Will Be in High Demand By 2024” on Healthcare Recruiters International blog. The remaining two columns were retrieved in March 2025.
2024 BLS Forecasts: Accuracies, Misses and What it Means
The US BLS was correct in that all of the projected positions did grow significantly.
Right on: RN’s for instance were projected to jump up to 3.19M employment by 2024, while they actually hit 3.3M by 2023. They also came in very close on pharmacy techs and medical assistants respectively.
Not quite: The BLS forecast of audiologists did not meet the 2025 projection but the total number of positions is much smaller than any of the other categories under discussion making it more difficult to forecast.
Huge growth: If you want to talk about a jump, home health aids impressively moved from 913K in 2014 up to 3.9M in 2024. The demand for more home health workers can be attributed to our aging population and desire for seniors to remain at home longer.
2033 BLS Healthcare Job Outlook: Highlights on the Top 6 Healthcare Growth Positions
Home Health Aides Grow 423% in 19 years
Home Health Aides remain on the top growth list within healthcare in the coming 10 years. The US Census Bureau’s forecast of persons over the age of 65 (visual below) speaks volume as to the potential of how the home healthcare market will continue to grow. And I don’t mean a small amount of growth. We’re talking about a 423% growth projection in a 19-year time frame: from 913K positions in 2014 forecasted up to 4.7M in 2033. These roles pay on average $33,290 per year and require a GED and 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical training.
Nurse Practitioners lead in Projected Growth Percentage
In 2016, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) did not even make the list as an expected top healthcare job in 2024. However, today they are in the lead with a projected growth rate of over 46% through 2033 – making NPs the third fastest growing career across all industries in the US today. NPs provide advanced care, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe treatments, often stepping in where physicians are scarce. Today’s median salary for an NP is $126,260 annually. Medical organizations are growing their NP hires thanks to their ability to fill the shoes of physicians who require a much higher salary. For comparison, NPs need about 6-8 years of education while a doctor needs 11-15 years of education.
Looking to hire a Nurse Practitioner? Contact us today!
Medical & Health Services Managers Expect to Pick Up 2nd Highest Volume Increase
Medical & Health Services Managers are forecasted to increase 28.5% in the coming years, picking up about 161K positions. This is another well-paying position, with a median salary of $110,680, reflecting their critical role in facility management. These managers oversee healthcare operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance. Typical education requirements are a Bachelor’s degree in a field like healthcare administration, public health, business administration, or a related area, paired with a Master’s degree and/or significant work experience. Some positions and states may require specific licensure as well.
Physician’s Assistants Jobs Continue to Grow Alongside NPs
Physician assistants (PAs) are growing at a rate of about 28%, assisting doctors with exams, diagnoses, and procedures. Like a NP, these roles can sometimes cover what a physician once did, so their adaptability keeps them in high demand, with a median salary of $126,010 per year. In total, they stand to pick up an additional 44K jobs in the next 8 years, but total job volume is forecasted at 197K, still significantly lower than positions like NPs, Medical Assistants, and Medical & Health Services Managers. A PA can expect to need a Bachelor’s, followed by a Master’s-level PA program as well as at least 3 years of work experience. You’ll also need a state licensure and Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) certification.
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistants Growing at 22+%
Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) expect to see more than 27K additional jobs by 2033, a 25.4% increase in positions. PTAs help patients recover mobility and manage pain by implementing treatment plans created by physical therapists, often involving exercises, stretches, and therapeutic techniques. With a 22.3% growth rate, Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) help patients recover daily living skills under therapists’ guidance. OTAs can expect about 10K additional positions.
The median salary for an OTA is $65,600, and $64,080 for a PTA. An associate’s degree opens the door to both of these careers, resulting in well-paying jobs with just a two year education. Additional licensure, certifications and on the job training may be required based on the state.
While on the topic of OT & PT, I can’t help but touch on Occupational & Physical Therapists as well.
- OTs: While their growth rate is projected at 11%, they make up a larger quantity of positions with 150K jobs in 2023 with a projected 167K in 2033.
- PTs: Larger in volume still, PT growth rate is projected at 14%, with a projection of 296K positions by 2033.
We’re grateful that Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists are some of our top filled positions. So, if you’re looking for help finding a qualified PT, PTA, OT or OTA (or ST!), or you want to find a role that that fits your goals, contact us today or search on our HCRI job board!
Where We’re Headed in Healthcare
Among all jobs in the United States today, the Healthcare Practitioners & Technical Occupations category, including everything from chiropractors to PAs and PTs to anesthesiologists, ranks as the 7th largest work category, boasting 9.7M jobs and a forecasted 8.6% growth rate into 2033. While some other industries are steady or forecasting down, the future of healthcare is bright.
And, we’re glad to be a part of it! If you’d like help finding your next position, or you’re looking for a partner in your staffing journey, please reach out today. We’ve been doing healthcare for 40+ years and can’t wait to come up with a plan for you to find you the perfect match.
