Healthcare & Social Assistance

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

12%

12%

of the region’s private sector employment

5%

5%

increase in jobs from 2019 to 2023

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

2023 Regional Industry Facts

Average Wage:

$80,897

Number of Jobs:

109,703

Number of Firms:

8,573

5 Year Job Growth:

9%

Industry lq*:

0.95

* 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:

Primary Occupations

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Jobs: 5,756

Avg. Hourly Wage $24.97

Medical Assistants

Jobs: 4,448

Avg. Hourly Wage $25.72

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Jobs: 1,550

Avg. Hourly Wage $36.91

Peer Support Professionals

Jobs: 3,294

Avg. Hourly Wage $26.00

Worksystems’ Training Initiatives

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.

These unique training initiatives make it easy for job seekers to start their pathway toward a Quality Job:

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:

  • Foster trusted partnerships with community-based organizations, educational institutions, and businesses to allocate resources that support job seekers in securing well-paying healthcare roles.

  • Recruit healthcare professionals by building career pathways to sustain a skilled talent pipeline and expanding apprenticeships and internships.

  • Retain healthcare professionals by implementing Quality Jobs framework strategies and enhancing employer-funded training programs to sustain workforce retention.

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 (Coming Soon)