Employment gains in healthcare have been slightly weaker this year than last but the overall numbers mask some dramatic swings in different parts of the industry, particularly in hospitals.

The average monthly increase in overall healthcare hiring during the first nine months of the year was 53,977 jobs added, slightly less than 55,378 positions in 2023.

In hospitals, the gains have been robust. Employers added an average of 17,500 jobs per month in the first three quarters, versus an average of 14,900 jobs in 2023.

Meanwhile, new hiring in nursing and residential care facilities has fallen dramatically. An average of 9,356 people were hired monthly during the first nine months of this year, down from 2023’s average of 12,944 jobs.

Hiring in ambulatory healthcare services, which includes offices of physicians and dentists, was slightly lower in 2024 compared with the same period in 2023, by an average of 411 fewer new jobs per month.

Results are based on preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that are subject to monthly revisions and are also revised annually based on more complete data.