Connecticut Healthcare Jobs Growing
Healthcare jobs in Connecticut are increasing as an older population requires more care and more students become interested in healthcare professions.
In 2004, Connecticut’s healthcare industry employed more than 218,000 workers, 15.5 percent of total private employment within the state. From 1994 to 2004, the state’s healthcare industry created more than 34,000 jobs. According to an article by the Connecticut Department of Labor, the increase in the healthcare industry support the idea that both Connecticut and the nation as a whole have shifted from a goods producing economy to a service providing economy.
“The healthcare industry was one of the few industries that experienced significant employment growth throughout our most recent statewide recession (July 2000 to September 2003),” the article notes. “As the recession came to a close, the industry created over 8,000 new jobs, as the demand for services and the need to replace retirement-age healthcare workers increased.
“Looking towards the future, the Connecticut Department of Labor’s 2002-2012 industry forecast shows that the majority of new growth will stem from the state’s hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and social assistance industries,” the article adds.
As of 2008, 13.4 percent of Connecticut’s population consists of people 65-years and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, suggesting a significant portion of the state could require extensive medical care in the near future. Also, the Connecticut Hospital Association found 27,140 more patients were admitted in 2003 than 1994.
Connecticut’s healthcare occupations with the most annual openings include:
- registered nurses with 1,181 annual openings and an average annual salary of $57,283
- licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with 208 annual openings and an average annual salary of $45,594
- pharmacists with 105 annual openings and an average annual salary of $80,392
- radiologic technologists and technicians with 100 annual openings and an average annual salary of $47,278
- dental hygienists with 88 annual openings and an average annual salary of $58,760
- physical therapists with 84 annual openings and an average annual salary of $66,269
- pharmacy technicians with 84 annual openings and an average annual salary of $26,416
- emergency medical technicians and paramedics with 68 annual openings and an average annual salary of $30,826
- dentists with 65 annual openings and an average annual salary of $131,810