Healthcare gained 44,200 jobs in February, down from the average monthly gain of 54,000 over the prior six months, according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Five things to know:
1. The February count is lower than the 58,200 jobs healthcare added in January and the 54,700 jobs the industry added in December.
2. Within healthcare, hospitals gained the most jobs in February (19,400), compared with 10,900 jobs added in January.
3. Ambulatory healthcare services gained 11,100 jobs in February, compared with 29,900 jobs gained the month prior.
4. Nursing and residential care facilities gained 13,700 jobs in February, and physician offices gained 1,800 jobs.
5. Overall, the U.S. added 311,000 jobs in February, compared with 517,000 jobs in January.