SIA this week released its “US Staffing Industry Forecast: September 2021 Update” report, which estimates the US staffing revenue will grow by 16% this year to a record total of $157.4 billion. And the outlook for healthcare staffing is even brighter.

Driven by a 40% expansion in the travel nurse segment, healthcare staffing is now projected to grow 24% year over year in 2021 — up from the April forecast of 7% — to reach $24.7 billion. This follows 8% growth in the sector last year.

In addition to the strong outlook for travel nursing, all other healthcare segments are also forecast to post year-over-year growth this year. The forecast calls for 15% growth in the per diem nurse segment, 12% in locum tenens and advanced practitioners, and 10% in allied healthcare.

The research also forecast a 9% decline in the healthcare staffing segment in 2022, assuming easing of the pandemic and fewer assignments with crisis pay rates. For this reason, the forecast calls for declines in the travel nurse and per diem nurse segments; however, continued growth is predicted for locum tenens and allied healthcare staffing, albeit at slower paces.

The full report, “US Staffing Industry Forecast: September 2021 Update,” which includes information on 12 staffing segments, is available to corporate members of SIA.