Healthcare & Social Assistance

Jobs that improve the well-being of individuals and communities.

13%

13%

of the region’s private sector employment

7%

7%

increase in jobs from 2020 to 2024

Healthcare is CrucialEvolvingTransformative

The healthcare industry has long been a cornerstone of our regional economy. However, the sector has faced multiple challenges, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Worker turnover increased exponentially as older workers opted for early retirement and younger workers left the industry. At the same time, many of the local institutions that train the healthcare labor force have closed. The high rates of turnover combined with a shrinking pipeline of new workers entering the field is creating an employment crisis—which is why Worksystems remains committed to supporting this key industry.

two doctors performing an operation

2024 Regional Industry Facts

Average Wage:

$82,419

Number of Jobs:

113,759

Number of Firms:

10,133

5 Year Job Growth:

7%

Industry lq*:

0.96

* Location Quotient (LQ) is a statistical measure used to compare the concentration of a particular industry, occupation, or demographic characteristic in a specific region to a larger reference area, typically at the national level. An LQ of 0.95 means the industry plays a 5% smaller role in the region’s economy compared to the national economy. 

Top Employers:

legacy health logo
providence logo
Kaiser Permanente logo
OHSU logo

Primary Occupations

With over 400 occupations in Healthcare & Social Assistance, many high-paying roles—nearly 60% paying $22 or more per hour—don’t require a four-year degree, offering varied entry points and career advancement opportunities through short vocational training.

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Jobs: 5,784

Avg. Hourly Wage $24.22

Medical Assistants

Jobs: 4,516

Avg. Hourly Wage $25.22

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Jobs: 1,572

Avg. Hourly Wage $37.04

Peer Support Professionals

Jobs: 3,294

Avg. Hourly Wage $26.00

Peer Worker Training Project

The Peer Worker Training Project is designed to recruit, train, and place Peer Support Specialists in behavioral health positions in our region. It began as a pilot in July 2024.

Through June 2025:

  • 48 individuals have completed training
  • 100% are are pursuing or have earned a certification
  • More than 50% identify as BIPOC
  • 22 secured employment in peer support

 

The career coaching and training program includes partnerships with the Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon and United We Heal, offering graduates a path to career advancement through Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

Thanks to a grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Peer Worker Training Project has expanded to the current program year, now serving Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties in partnership with Clackamas Workforce Partnership.

Our goal is to train 80 new peer workers, with a strong focus on culturally specific and bilingual service delivery to meet the diverse needs of the Portland metro area.

Supporting Growth & Success

Healthcare is a fast-growing industry in our region, driven by an aging population, increasing medical needs, and the critical demand for Behavioral Health Workers. Retirements and pandemic-driven turnover have further intensified the need to expand the workforce.

Since 2015, the Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative (CWWC)—comprising Worksystems, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, and Workforce Southwest Washington—has taken a regional approach to workforce development. The CWWC unites employers, training providers, industry experts, and job seekers to address workforce challenges, align public workforce efforts, and foster partnerships that meet industry demand and promote Quality Jobs. Employer panels meet quarterly. Priorities from the sector plan include:

  • Strengthen the healthcare talent pipeline by connecting youth and job seekers to education, training, and hands-on experiences, while aligning employers, educators, and community partners to promote and support career pathways .

  • Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare by investing in career pathways for historically excluded communities, supporting incumbent worker advancement, and aligning partners to ensure safe, supportive, and inclusive workplaces.

  • Retain healthcare professionals by implementing Quality Jobs framework strategies, equipping employers with supportive workforce resources, and promoting employee wellbeing through mental and physical health initiatives.

Employer Champions

Cathy Reynolds, VP Talent Mgmt & Analytics, Legacy
Zenaida Ehrlich, Regional Coordinator, Northwest Programs, SEIU-UHW
Leslie Schmidt, Talent Pipeline Program Manager, Providence
Julie Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer, New Narrative

Additional Resources

Current Sector Plan
Current Sector Report
Peer Worker Quality Job Fact Sheet