The U.S. healthcare industry is emerging as one of the strongest sources of employment growth in the American economy, with the sector adding 372,000 jobs over the past year, according to a new analysis from KFF.

Healthcare employment increased by about 2% since September 2025, compared with just 0.1% growth across the rest of the U.S. economy. The biggest gains have been concentrated in outpatient care, home health services and physicians' offices, reflecting the continuing shift toward care outside traditional hospitals.

The employment surge comes as Americans and policymakers remain focused on rising healthcare costs. While high healthcare spending creates affordability concerns, the sector's strong demand has also helped support employment even as growth in other parts of the economy remains limited.

KFF noted that artificial intelligence and future healthcare policy changes could reshape employment trends, potentially changing how medical services are delivered and how healthcare workers perform their jobs.