The Ten Largest Healthcare Support Occupations in the U.S.

In recently released reports, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that there were over 6.4 million people employed in healthcare support occupations as of May 2020.  This BLS employment grouping includes a variety of occupations that assist and aid healthcare practitioners, technologists, and technicians who are involved in the diagnosing or treating of medical conditions.   As of May 2020, employment in healthcare support occupations accounted for about 4.6% of total U.S. employment.  BLS data as of May 2020 reveals the following as the ten largest healthcare support occupations in the U.S.:

	Occupation		# Employed	Annual Mean Wages
1	Home Health and Personal Care Aide		3,211,590	$28,060
2	Nursing Assistant		1,371,050	$32,050
3	Medical Assistant		710,200	$36,930
4	Dental Assistant		312,140	$42,310
5	Phlebotomist		128,020	$37,280
6	Veterinary Assistant/Lab Animal Caretaker		98,810	$30,980
7	Physical Therapist Assistant		92,740	$59,440
8	Massage Therapist		85,040	$47,350
9	Medical Equipment Preparer		56,870	$41,070
10	Psychiatric Aide		51,550	$33,300
	All Healthcare Support Occupations		6,440,880	$32,250

Source: BLS Economic News Release, March 31, 2021.

Medicare Long Term Care Hospital Beds in the Mid-East States

Long Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) serve the needs of the more than 60 million Americans having Medicare Part A long term care coverage.  LTCHs provide services to individuals with complex medical situations that require extended inpatient care (in excess of 25 days on average).  Over 6,000 hospitals in total, with more than 932,500 beds, were participating in the Medicare program as of calendar year 2019.  LTCHs accounted for about 6% of those hospitals and just over 2.7% of those hospital beds.

In calendar year 2019, the Mid-East region of the U.S. was home to 29 LTCHs, with almost 2,000 beds, who were participating in the Medicare program.  As such, the region was home to about 15% of the nation's Medicare Part A enrollees, but only 8.5% of the program's long term care hospital beds.  Here is a summary look at Medicare Long Term Care hospital beds in the Mid-East states:

Medicare Long Term Care Hospital Beds in the Mid-East States

Area	# Part A Enrollees		# Hospitals	# Beds
DE	207,483		1	35
DC	92,751		2	142
MD	1,034,889		2	189
NJ	1,599,601		8	544
NY	3,604,216		2	636
PA	2,725,186		14	621
Region	9,264,126		29	2,167
National*	61,166,694		367	25,593
% of National	15.1%		7.9%	8.5%

* National totals include U.S. territories

Data Source:  CMS Program Statistics, Table: MDCR PROVIDERS 4. Medicare Providers:  Number of Medicare Certified Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Number of Beds, by State, Territories, Possessions and Other, Calendar Year 2019