
Hospitals employ a large number of people worldwide, providing essential services such as treating the ill and injured, caring for new mothers, and performing surgeries. In the United States alone, there were approximately 6.6 million hospital employees in 2019, with over 5.7 million people employed in hospitals as of 2022. The healthcare sector in the US accounts for about 14% of total employment, with general medical, surgical, and specialty hospitals employing over 7 million workers. The NHS in England directly employs 1.7 million people, making it one of the largest employers globally. However, staff shortages have been reported, particularly in nursing homes, and by 2026, a shortage of 3.2 million low-wage health workers is estimated in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospital employees in the US in 2019 | 6.6 million |
| Average number of employees per hospital | 982 |
| Percentage of male employees | 25% |
| Average salary of male employees | $88,779 |
| Average salary of female employees | $55,910 |
| Average annual wage in 2017 | $64,143 |
| Average annual salary of full-time employees | $69,423 |
| Average annual salary of part-time employees | $35,795 |
| Number of employees in the healthcare sector in the US in 2019 | 22 million |
| Number of employees in hospitals in the US in 2023 | 7.4 million |
| Number of employees in hospitals in the US in February 2023 | 5.16 million |
| Number of employees in hospitals in the US in 2022 | 5.7 million |
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What You'll Learn
- In 2023, there were over 7.4 million people employed in US hospitals
- The average hospital employs 982 people, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff
- % of hospital employees are registered nurses
- Male workers in hospitals tend to earn more than female workers
- Hospitals with 6 to 24 beds employ the fewest staff, while large hospitals in metropolitan areas can employ more than 4,900 people

In 2023, there were over 7.4 million people employed in US hospitals
In 2023, there were over 7.4 million people employed in hospitals across the United States. This is the highest number in the recorded time period, and hospital employment numbers have returned to and even surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The healthcare sector is one of the largest employment sectors in the US, accounting for 14% of total US employment.
The number of hospital employees in the US has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2019, there were about 6.6 million hospital employees in the US, and by February 2023, this number had increased to 5.16 million. The healthcare sector as a whole saw a notable increase in employment between 2018 and 2019, with the total number of workers growing by over 1.5 million.
The number of people employed by a hospital can vary greatly depending on factors such as location, the number of beds, and the size of the community served. On average, each hospital employs 982 people, spanning various job roles, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff. Hospitals with a smaller number of beds, ranging from 6 to 24, tend to have fewer staff, employing only about 98 people on average. In contrast, the largest hospitals, often located in metropolitan areas, can employ more than 4,900 people.
The top three occupations in hospitals are registered nurses, nursing and psychiatric aides, and physicians and surgeons. Registered nurses make up the largest group, with 2,012,405 workers in 2017. In terms of gender distribution, the hospital workforce is predominantly female, with women making up 75% of the total workforce.
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The average hospital employs 982 people, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff
The healthcare sector is one of the largest employment sectors in the United States, with 22 million workers as of 2019. This figure includes general medical, surgical, and specialty hospitals, which collectively employ the most people, accounting for just over 7 million workers. Within this, the average hospital employs 982 people, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff.
The number of employees at each hospital depends on various factors, such as location, the number of beds, and the size of the community served. Hospitals with a smaller number of beds, ranging from 6 to 24, tend to have fewer staff, with an average of 98 employees. In contrast, the largest hospitals, often located in metropolitan areas, can employ more than 4,900 people.
Registered nurses constitute the most common position in hospitals, with over 2 million workers in this role as of 2017. Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides, as well as physicians and surgeons, are also among the top occupations in the hospital industry. It is estimated that 30% of hospital employees are registered nurses. Additionally, 56% of all hospital employees work as healthcare practitioners and technicians, making these professions the most common employment type.
The hospital industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. As of February 2023, there were approximately 5.16 million people employed in hospitals, representing a 3.36% increase compared to the previous year. This growth has resulted in a total of over 7.4 million people employed in hospitals across the United States in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
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30% of hospital employees are registered nurses
Hospitals are some of the largest employers in the healthcare sector, which is one of the largest employment sectors in the United States, with 22 million workers as of 2019. General medical, surgical hospitals, and specialty hospitals collectively employ the most people, with just over 7 million workers. Hospitals employ a wide range of workers, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff. On average, each hospital employs 982 people.
Registered nurses make up 30% of hospital employment, making them the largest occupation in hospitals. In May 2019, there were over 1.8 million registered nurses working in hospitals, with an annual mean wage of $79,400. The number of female nurses exceeded 2 million, while men made up less than 500,000. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024, and employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
The number of registered nurses employed by a hospital varies depending on factors such as the location, number of beds, and the size of the community served. Hospitals with 6 to 24 beds employ an average of 29 full-time nurses, while hospitals with over 500 beds employ more than 1,400 nurses. California was the first state to introduce mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios, with a 5:1 ratio for general medicine, a 4:1 ratio for emergencies, and a 2:1 ratio for critical care.
Registered nurses work in various settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. They may also move into non-clinical roles, such as health planning and development, marketing, consulting, policy development, and quality assurance. To become a registered nurse, individuals typically need to obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program, and they must be licensed.
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Male workers in hospitals tend to earn more than female workers
The healthcare industry is one of the largest employment sectors in the United States, accounting for 14% of total US employment. There were 22 million workers in the healthcare sector in the US in 2019, with general medical, surgical, and specialty hospitals employing the most people at just over 7 million workers. As of 2022, there are over 5.7 million people employed in hospitals across the country, with an average of 982 employees per hospital.
Despite women constituting 80% of healthcare workers in the US, and 67% worldwide, gender disparities in pay, power, and workload persist in the healthcare field. Male workers in hospitals tend to earn more than female workers, with men in the healthcare industry earning an average of $89,276, compared to an average of $55,602 for women. This represents a 37.72% disparity between the genders. In nursing, women make 91 cents for every dollar earned by men, resulting in an average annual difference of $7,300. Among physicians, the gender pay gap leads to a six-figure salary discrepancy, with women earning $110,000 less than their male counterparts. When compounded over a 40-year career, this results in women physicians earning $2 million less than men over their lifetimes.
The gender pay gap in the healthcare sector is more significant than in other economic sectors. Women in health and care face a raw gender pay gap of approximately 20%, which increases to 24% when accounting for factors such as age, education, and working time. This disparity is even more pronounced for women of color, who face the largest pay gap in the nursing field. The prevalence of systemic discrimination, harassment, and moral injury in the healthcare industry contributes to burnout and staff shortages, exacerbating the challenges faced by female healthcare workers.
While the healthcare industry faces gender equality challenges, it is important to note that the situation is not uniform across all roles and locations. Some standout roles in the industry, such as physicians, dentists, chiropractors, and database administrators, are occupied majorly by men. Additionally, the gender pay gap varies across different countries, indicating that these issues are not inevitable and can be addressed through systemic changes and political commitment to pay equity.
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Hospitals with 6 to 24 beds employ the fewest staff, while large hospitals in metropolitan areas can employ more than 4,900 people
The number of people employed by hospitals varies depending on several factors, including location, the number of beds, and the size of the community served. According to a 2019 report, the healthcare sector in the USA employed approximately 22 million workers, making it one of the largest employment sectors in the country.
Hospitals with a smaller number of beds, ranging from 6 to 24, tend to have the smallest staff size. On average, these hospitals employ around 98 people across various job roles, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff. This averages out to be about 982 employees per hospital.
On the other hand, larger hospitals located in metropolitan areas can have significantly more employees. These hospitals can employ over 4,900 people, with an average of 7 million workers across general medical, surgical, and specialty hospitals. As of 2023, there were over 7.4 million people employed in hospitals across the United States, with California, New York, and Texas having the highest number of hospital employees.
The top three occupations within the hospital industry group are registered nurses, nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides, and physicians and surgeons. Registered nurses make up the largest group, with over 2 million workers, followed by nursing aides and physicians. These professionals are essential to providing patient care and ensuring the smooth operation of hospitals.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2022, there were over 5.7 million people employed by hospitals in the US.
In 2019, there were 22 million workers in the healthcare sector in the US.
General medical, surgical hospitals, and specialty hospitals collectively employ the most people, with over 7 million workers.
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals employ the fewest workers, with 128,900 people.
On average, each hospital employs 982 people, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff.



































