Ambulatory sector buoys healthcare job growth amid skilled-nursing downsizing

The ambulatory sector fueled healthcare job growth in December, accounting for two-thirds of the expansion.

The ambulatory sector grew by 23,100 jobs while hospitals added 8,800 positions and senior care facilities brought on 2,600 employees, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent jobs report. But skilled-nursing facilities continued to downsize, shedding 6,700 jobs as the sector adjusts to a new payment model. Thousands of therapists have been laid off over the past year.

Overall, the healthcare industry expanded by 28,100 jobs in December, down from 45,200 in November.

Outpatient care centers added 7,300 jobs, doctor's offices added 5,400, other health practitioners added 4,900 and home health added 3,900. Employment at dentist's offices, labs, residential mental health facilities, other residential care facilities and other ambulatory services held relatively steady.

In 2019, the healthcare industry added 399,000 jobs, up 14% from 2018.

The unemployment rate remained at 3.5% in December. Across all sectors, average hourly earnings only increased by 2.9% in 2019 as inflation hovers around 2%.