Heatlhcare jobs rose more than 18% in the past decade, and in 2017 had an average annual wage of $57,200, according to a report release last week by the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

The number of healthcare jobs exceeded 1.2 million in 2017.

“Year in and year out, healthcare has been a growth sector for jobs in New York over the past decade,” State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said. “Across upstate New York in particular, private employment would have declined if not for job gains in healthcare.”

New York ranked third in the nation for its share of healthcare jobs.

DiNapoli noted that in New York City alone, the number of healthcare jobs rose 33% in the last decade. And growth in healthcare jobs occurred in every region of the state, and was stronger than other industries.

The report also found that healthcare sector jobs and wages increased during the last economic downturn and continued to grow during the last decade.

Doctors and dentists garnered the highest annual wages at $152,650. Nurses average $79,240. Healthcare assistants, the single largest occupation, received the lowest average wage at $29,120.

The average annual healthcare wage in New York State rose by more than $10,400 over the last decade.