Healthcare accounted for about 3 of every 4 U.S. jobs added from September 2025 to September 2026, according to an Oct. 5 analysis from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
The sector added 372,000 jobs during that period, a 2% increase, while the rest of the economy added 124,000, a 0.1% increase. Healthcare job growth outpaced every other sector, and the industry now makes up a record 11.7% of all U.S. jobs.
In September, healthcare added 17,000 jobs, below its average monthly gain of 33,000 over the prior 12 months, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
KFF cited several factors that may be contributing to healthcare’s job growth: rising demand for care as the population ages and chronic conditions increase and relatively high pay for many healthcare jobs. KFF also pointed to the hands-on nature of many healthcare roles, which may make them less susceptible to outsourcing or automation.
Additionally, KFF noted that declines in revenue and patient demand could tighten the healthcare workforce in the coming years. The Congressional Budget Office projects the uninsured population will grow from 26.6 million in 2025 to 37.4 million in 2036, largely because of provisions of the 2025 reconciliation act affecting Medicaid and ACA marketplace enrollment. KFF said this may particularly affect hospital revenue and employees, since hospitals are required to treat and stabilize emergency patients regardless of ability to pay.
The BLS projects private healthcare and social assistance will account for about 37% of new U.S. jobs through 2035.
