Healthcare Jobs Now Drive America's Labor Market.

Nearly all of the 130,000 jobs added in January were in healthcare or related fields, while employers cut jobs in government, finance and information.

Nearly all of the 130,000 new jobs added in January were in healthcare or related roles. That surge has made healthcare the main engine of recent U.S. job growth as many other sectors pulled back. Construction and manufacturing added some workers, while employers reduced payrolls in government, finance, information and transportation and warehousing. Analysts link the pattern to rising demand for hands-on care as the population ages. Key facts: - Nearly all of the 130,000 jobs added in January were in healthcare or related positions. - Employment declined over the year through January in professional and business services, finance, retail and information, and federal government payrolls fell sharply. - Healthcare employers are offering large signing bonuses and generous paid time off to recruit nurses and nurse practitioners, and candidates often receive multiple offers. - Census data aggregated by IPUMS show foreign-born workers were 39% of home health aides, 28% of physicians and 24% of dentists by 2024. - Immigration restrictions and enforcement have tightened labor supply for construction, slowing some projects and raising costs for housing and other builds. - Rural systems such as Ballad Health reported about 500 nursing vacancies and saw a 7% increase in hospital visits in a recent six-month period, increasing local demand for staff. Summary: The concentration of hiring in healthcare is sustaining overall employment while reflecting structural demand tied to an aging population. This concentration reduces some geographic volatility but increases economic exposure if healthcare hiring slows or if payment rates change. Undetermined at this time.