The U.S. will add 587,000 jobs for registered nurses in the decade between 2006 and 2016, the largest increase of any occupational group, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today in its employment projections for the decade. In 2016, there will almost 3.1 million jobs for registered nurses.

Total employment will grow by 10%, or 15.6 million jobs, in the decade between 2006 and 2016, according to the BLS. That is slower than the 12% growth between 1996 and 2006. The slowdown comes as baby boomers retire.

Much of the employment growth will happen in the services sector. Construction is the only division of the goods-producing sector forecast to grow. Employment in manufacturing will decline by 1.5 million jobs.

The BLS releases 10-year employment projections every two years.