Healthcare added 31,000 jobs in August, below the monthly average of 42,000 over the past 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics latest report on U.S. employment trends.
The report pointed to a broader labor market slowdown. Overall, the U.S. economy added just 22,000 jobs — one of the weakest showings this year. The unemployment rate also rose to 4.3%, the highest level since 2021.
Here are four more things to know about employment trends in healthcare, per BLS’ Sept. 5 jobs report:
1. Ambulatory healthcare services added 13,000 jobs in August, followed by nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals, which each added 9,000.
2. Healthcare was among the few sectors that posted job gains in August. Others, including the federal government, manufacturing and wholesale trade, recorded losses.
3. Healthcare’s August job gains mark a slowdown from July, when the industry added 55,000 jobs — including 34,000 in ambulatory care and 16,000 in hospitals.
4. Healthcare added more jobs than the overall economy, which gained just 22,000 positions in August. Losses in sectors such as the federal government and mining offset gains in healthcare and social assistance.
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