Projected Healthcare Industry Job Growth

The general consensus is that a career in the healthcare or medical field is going to be an asset for at least the next ten years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are going to be 2.8 million healthcare jobs created in the next few years, a 26% increase between now and 2008. When you compare that to the average for all industries, which is a 16% increase, it is clear that the medical field will be growing much faster than almost any other industry. If statistics are your thing, then you'll be interested to know that because healthcare is one of the largest industries, it provides Americans with more than 11 million jobs and medical employment will account for 13% of all wage and salary positions created between 2000 and 2010. Healthcare boasts 9 out of the 20 occupations projected to grow most quickly within the next decade.

There is a reason for all this projected growth: America's increasingly aging population. With the baby boomer generation approaching their senior years, the average age of the population will continue to increase at least through 2008. The largest projected increases will occur in the 40-59 and 80+ age categories. The elderly will always need medical care and these demographics suggest that with the drastic increase in the senior population comes an equivalent demand for medical services and healthcare professionals to provide them. Coupled with this population growth is an increase in the use of innovative medical technology for intensive diagnosis and treatment, which will also require trained personnel to operate the equipment.

Luckily, healthcare training is not difficult to acquire. Many people don't realize that the majority of jobs in health services require less than four years of college education. In fact, there are a plethora of training programs available that can get you certified and working full time within a matter of months. There are a number of potential careers available within medicine with a variety of educational requirements. The general areas that do not require a four year degree include: medical assisting and nursing, medical administration, healthcare management, and holistic medicine. However, with the demand for healthcare professionals on the rise, these numbers are likely to increase as well.

Along with these general categories, there are also a variety of more specific areas within the medical field to consider. You could work in rehabilitation, health and fitness, wellness, imaging technology, home care, nutrition, new diagnostic services, or prevention, to name a few. Once you have your degree it pays to evaluate all your options instead of automatically accepting a position at a hospital. For example, home healthcare jobs are projected to grow 80% by 2008. Be sure to assess your own personal preferences and find a specific area within medicine that compliments you. Whatever you decide, medical professionals of all types will always be in demand.

*All statistics based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics findings