Claire Dawson
Hospitals are among the largest employers in the United States, with the healthcare sector accounting for 14% of total US employment. In 2019, there were 22 million workers in the healthcare sector in the US, and hospitals employed about 6.6 million people. The number of employees in a hospital varies depending on factors such as location, the number of beds, and the size of the community served. The largest hospitals, typically located in metropolitan areas, can employ more than 4,900 people, while hospitals with 6 to 24 beds employ an average of 29 full-time nurses.
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What You'll Learn
There were ~6.6 million hospital employees in the US in 2019
The healthcare sector is one of the largest employment sectors in the United States, accounting for about 14% of total US employment. In 2019, there were about 22 million workers in the healthcare sector in the US, according to a report. Of these, approximately 6.6 million people were hospital employees as of September 2019. This figure includes employees in hospitals that are privately owned and owned by federal, state, or local governments.
The number of employees at each hospital varies depending on several factors, including location, the number of beds, and the size of the community served. Hospitals provide essential services to many people, including treating the seriously ill or injured, caring for new mothers and their babies, and performing surgeries.
Registered nurses are the most common position in hospitals, with 2,012,405 workers in 2017. Other common occupations include nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (476,208 people), and physicians and surgeons (419,991 people). The average annual salary for hospital employees in 2017 was $64,143, slightly less than the national average salary of $64,683. The highest average salary in hospitals goes to chief executives and legislators.
The hospital industry is projected to grow at a rate of about 4.85% in the next ten years, which is similar to the average rate of national job growth. This growth rate is lower than the projected national output growth of 30%.
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The healthcare sector accounts for 14% of US employment
The healthcare sector is a major employer in the United States, accounting for a significant proportion of the country's overall employment. In fact, it is projected to become the largest employment sector in the US economy. As of September 2019, there were about 6.6 million hospital employees in the country, giving a national ratio of 50 people per hospital employee. This figure represents those working in hospitals, but the healthcare sector as a whole employs a much larger number.
The healthcare sector's share of total employment in the US is approximately 14%, according to figures from New York State. This percentage is even higher in New York State, at 14%, and is projected to grow rapidly. The expansion of healthcare employment can be attributed to several factors, including the Affordable Care Act, which has increased access to healthcare services and, consequently, the demand for healthcare workers.
Healthcare jobs and industries are expected to experience the fastest employment growth between 2014 and 2024, surpassing other sectors such as construction and business/professional services. By 2024, it is predicted that healthcare will have over five million job openings to fill. This growth is not limited to clinical roles; it also includes a range of other professions, such as accountants, marketers, and recruiters.
The number of hospital employees varies across the country, with Puerto Rico, Utah, Nevada, and California having the highest ratios of employees to the population. Conversely, the District of Columbia, South Dakota, North Dakota, Massachusetts, and West Virginia have lower ratios. These variations may be due to factors such as population density, the number of healthcare facilities, and the distribution of healthcare resources in each state.
The healthcare sector's significant contribution to US employment highlights its vital role in the country's economy and society. With the projected growth in healthcare employment, the sector will continue to play an increasingly important role in providing essential services and contributing to overall economic growth.
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The average annual salary for hospital workers was $64,143 in 2017
In 2017, the average annual salary for hospital workers was $64,143, which was $540 less than the national average salary of $64,683. The workforce in the Hospitals Industry Group was 7,256,365 people, with 71% being women and 25% men. The wage distribution in hospitals is more equitable than the national average, with a wage GINI of 0.423 compared to 0.478 nationally.
The occupations with the largest number of employees in hospitals in 2017 were registered nurses (2,012,405 people), nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (476,208 people), and physicians and surgeons (419,991 people). Male workers in hospitals tend to earn more than their female counterparts, with average salaries of $88,779 and $55,910, respectively. However, it's important to note that these averages may be influenced by the higher proportion of men in higher-paying positions.
The average annual salary figure for hospital workers also needs to be considered in light of the varying costs of living across the country. For example, in April 2025, the average annual salary for hospital staff was quoted as $64,055, with salaries ranging from $22,000 to $93,500. This variation may be due to differences in skill level, location, and years of experience.
Hospital salary expenses have been increasing over the years, with an average annual increase of about 5% from 2018 to 2022. Salary and labor expenses make up a significant portion of a hospital's total operating expenses, often constituting more than half of the overall costs. The size of the hospital also impacts salary expenses, with larger hospitals having higher average annual increases in salary expenses.
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75% of hospital workers are women
The healthcare industry is predominantly female, with women making up about 75% of healthcare workers globally. This percentage is reflected in most cities and is also true for hospitals in the United States, which had about 6.6 million hospital employees in September 2019. With a population of 328.2 million in July 2019, this equates to a ratio of 50 people per hospital employee.
Women in healthcare hold a variety of roles, including nurses, midwives, doctors, community health workers, and public health nurses. They are often on the front lines of healthcare, providing essential services to the sick, injured, new mothers, and their babies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women in healthcare faced particular challenges and risks, including exposure to the virus, job cuts, and inadequate protective gear.
Despite their significant contribution to the healthcare industry, women in these roles often face gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination. They may also experience occupational gender segregation, with their "workplace" extending beyond hospital walls into homes and communities, where threats of violence may be more prevalent. For example, in India, female community health workers known as Dais faced social pressures, a lack of professional recognition, and credibility issues.
The gender dynamics in healthcare are complex, with issues of patriarchy, sexism, and elitism contributing to a toxic culture. This culture can traumatize female nurses, midwives, and other female caregivers, impacting their mental health and well-being. It is important to address these inequalities and recognize the specific challenges faced by women in healthcare to ensure their safety and well-being.
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30% of hospital employees are registered nurses
The number of employees in a hospital varies depending on the size and nature of the facility. In the United States, there were about 6.6 million hospital employees across 13,944 hospitals in September 2019, giving a national average of 50 people per hospital employee. This figure includes hospitals that are privately owned and owned by federal, state, or local governments.
Registered nurses made up 30% of hospital employment in the United States in May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This equates to over 1.8 million registered nurses working in hospitals, making it the largest occupation in hospitals at the time. The annual mean wage for registered nurses in hospitals was $79,400, with the overall median annual wage for registered nurses across all settings reaching $93,600 in May 2024.
Registered nurses are licensed healthcare professionals who provide direct patient care in various specialties, such as psychiatric-mental health or pediatrics. They work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. To become a registered nurse, individuals typically pursue one of three educational paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Some employers, particularly hospitals, may prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree.
The high proportion of registered nurses within hospital employment highlights the critical role they play in delivering healthcare services. Their expertise and experience equip them not only for patient care but also for leadership, education, research, and advisory roles within healthcare organizations. Additionally, some nurses transition to the business side of healthcare, utilizing their knowledge in areas such as health planning, development, marketing, consulting, policy development, and quality assurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospitals in the US employed about 131,000 individuals on average across the 50 states and DC in 2023, with hospital employment ranging from about 13,000 in Wyoming to about 610,000 in California. The total number of hospital employees in the US in 2023 was 6.7 million.
The largest hospitals, often located in metropolitan areas, can employ more than 4,900 people.
The number of employees at each hospital depends on factors such as location, the number of beds, and the size of the community they serve.
