U.S. healthcare's 28,900 new hires in May positioned it as the second highest sector for U.S. job growth behind retail trade, which added 31,100 jobs last month.
Overall U.S. employment grew by 223,000 jobs last month, far surpassing April's 164,000 new hires, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' newest jobs report released Friday. The unemployment rate continues to trend down. It fell to 3.8% in May from April's 3.9%, after holding steady at 4.1% for six months.
Healthcare hiring in May far exceeded April's 24,400 new jobs. The BLS wrote that healthcare hiring was roughly in line with average monthly gains over the past year.
The ambulatory sector continues to dominate healthcare hiring, adding 18,000 jobs in May, up from 17,000 in April and 16,200 in March. Within the ambulatory sector, outpatient care centers saw the highest growth, adding 4,500 jobs. Physician's offices added 4,300 jobs, fewer than the 7,100 they added in April.
Hospitals continue to make fewer new hires. They added 6,200 jobs in May, down from 8,000 in April and 9,900 in March.
Nursing-care facilities added 2,600 jobs, after shedding 2,700 in April. Residential mental health lost 400 jobs, after gaining 1,500 in April and losing 4,100 in March.
