One in Five New Oregon Jobs Will Be in Healthcare as Sector Grows Faster Than Ever
Work opportunities in the private healthcare and social assistance sectors have grown by 92% over the last four years in Oregon, becoming a steadily growing job provider to bolster the state’s economy.
Before the pandemic recession, these two sectors of the job market accounted for one in every five private-sector job openings. However, by 2024, the healthcare and social assistance sectors were offering nearly one-third of all jobs available in the state.
The Two Sectors Offered 301,000 Jobs Statewide by 2024
Further highlighting the enormous growth of this employment sector is data released yesterday by the Oregon Employment Department (OED).
The OED’s monthly employment report states that in 2024 private healthcare and social assistance reached a record 301,000 jobs statewide after adding 16,100 positions compared to the 5,700 jobs added to the non-farm payroll.
But Oregon Faces a Nursing Shortage Crisis
Despite the impressive growth of jobs offered by the health care industry, the report also highlights Oregon’s growing nursing shortage crisis.
The largest number of job openings in 2024 was for registered nurses and personal care aides that, on average, had 18,200 positions available throughout the year. Employers reported that these vacancies were difficult to fill.
Despite a Nursing Shortage the Health Care Industry Will Continue to Grow
However, the impetus of growth in the healthcare and social assistance sectors is expected to continue throughout the state.
Total employment is expected to escalate by 170,000 positions – or 8% – between now and 2033 – while health care and social assistance is earmarked to grow by 13%, adding yet another 37,000 jobs to the payroll.
According to the OED, one in every five new jobs created in Oregon by 2033 will be in the healthcare and social assistance sectors, with healthcare expected to offer one out of every five new jobs created in the state.
This will include nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical health and services managers, veterinarians, and veterinary assistants and technicians.