Health Care and Social Assistance Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry group employed over 21 million people in the United States. This represents an increase of 2.4% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $63,710, and the median wage was $44,910. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 2.9%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Ambulatory Health Care Services continued to have the largest number of jobs within the industry group, employing 8 million people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this subgroup was $74,140, and the median wage was $47,540. While still high, the industry wage variance to the national average was slightly lower than in 2021, at 19.8%.

Hospitals employed 6 million people in 2022, with an annual mean wage of $77,360 and a median wage of $64,930. This subgroup had an industry wage variance to the national average of 25.0%, which was similar to 2021.

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employed 3 million people in 2022, with an annual mean wage of $43,440 and a median wage of $35,970. While the wages in this subgroup were lower than those in the Ambulatory Health Care Services and Hospitals subgroups, the industry wage variance to the national average was slightly better than in 2021, at -29.8%.

Social Assistance employed 4 million people in 2022, with an annual mean wage of $38,120 and a median wage of $32,800. This subgroup had an industry wage variance to the national average of -38.4%, which was slightly worse than in 2021.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we look at the top ten occupations in terms of employment within the Health Care and Social Assistance industry group, we find that Registered Nurses had the highest annual mean wage in 2022, at $88,370. However, the industry wage variance to the national average was -0.7%. Other high-paying occupations in the industry group included Medical and Health Services Managers, with an annual mean wage of $122,420, and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, with an annual mean wage of $55,520.

On the other hand, occupations with lower wages included Home Health and Personal Care Aides, with an annual mean wage of $30,850 and a median wage of $30,180. The industry variance to the national average was -0.3%. Nursing Assistants had an annual mean wage of $35,830 and a median wage of $35,560, with an industry wage variance to the national average of -1.1%.

Summary

The Health Care and Social Assistance industry group continues to be an essential part of the US economy, employing millions of people across various subgroups and occupations. The wages in this industry group tend to be higher than the national average, and the healthcare industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Health Care and Social Assistance Industry Report.