Health Care and Social Assistance Employment and Wages in 2024

In 2024, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry employed over 23.1 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 4.8% from 2023. The annual mean wage in 2024 was $69,800, and the median wage was $48,250. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 2.8%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Ambulatory Health Care Services held the largest number of jobs within the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, employing over 8.6 million people in 2024. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $80,020, with a median wage of $52,100. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2023, with the variance shifting from 18.9% to 17.8%, indicating industry wages lagged national wage trends.

Hospitals accounted for a substantial employment share, with 6.5 million people employed in 2024. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $86,120, and the median wage was $76,210. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was an increase compared to 2023, with the variance shifting from 25.7% to 26.8%.

The sub-group of Social Assistance also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 4.7 million people employed in 2024. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $42,550 and the median wage was $36,120. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2023, with the variance shifting from -37.8% to -37.4%.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we examine the top occupations in terms of employment within the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, we find that Medical and Health Services Managers had the highest annual mean wage in 2024, at $130,920, and a median wage of $108,040. The industry variance to the national average was -4.9%. Registered Nurses had an annual mean wage of $98,190 and a median wage of $93,170. The industry variance to the national average was -0.2%. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses had an annual mean wage of $63,640 and a median wage of $61,990. The industry variance to the national average was -0.8%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Health Care and Social Assistance industry included Home Health and Personal Care Aides, with an annual mean wage of $34,830 and a median wage of $34,800. The industry variance to the national average was -0.5%. Receptionists and Information Clerks had an annual mean wage of $40,320 and a median wage of $38,410. The industry variance to the national average was 4.8%. Nursing Assistants had an annual mean wage of $40,830 and a median wage of $39,150. The industry variance to the national average was -1.1%.

Summary

In 2024, the U.S. Health Care and Social Assistance industry employed over 23.1 million people, growing 4.8% from 2023. The industry's annual mean wage was $69,800 and the median wage was $48,250—both slightly above the national average. Ambulatory Health Care Services was the largest sub-sector with 8.6 million jobs and an $80,020 mean wage. Hospitals followed with 6.5 million jobs and the highest sub-sector wages ($86,120 mean, $76,210 median). Social Assistance employed 4.7 million but paid the least ($42,550 mean). Among occupations, Medical and Health Services Managers earned the most ($130,920 mean), while Home Health Aides and Receptionists earned the least, with wages around $35,000–$40,000. Wage disparities to national averages varied across roles and sub-sectors, reflecting mixed trends in compensation.