Finding a job in the US is very difficult, but two industries are actively hiring even now.

The shutdown delayed the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' employment report, but other data shows the labor market remains challenging. However, two industries are doing relatively well, writes USA Today.

According to the latest available report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added only 22,000 jobs in August. Most industries remained flat or even contracted. However, health care and social assistance accounted for the bulk of the gains, adding approximately 31,000 and 16,000 jobs, respectively. The service sector, which includes restaurants and bars, also added 28,000 jobs in August, although losses in other industries offset this gain.

Over the past few months, healthcare and social assistance have emerged as stable drivers of labor market growth. Over the past three months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare added approximately 114,000 jobs, and social assistance approximately 63,000, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all new job openings over the same period.

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Over the past year, these two industries accounted for just over half of all new jobs, with health care adding about 499,000 and social assistance adding approximately 333,000.

What professions are related to health care and social assistance?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' data structure, the health care sector includes outpatient health care services (e.g., outpatient clinics), hospitals, and residential care facilities. The social assistance sector encompasses personal and family services, food and housing services, emergency and other assistance, vocational rehabilitation services, and child care.

In health care, employment growth was relatively stable across all divisions, and in social care, there was high demand for individual and family services.

Employers are seeking workers for the positions of registered nurses, radiographers, physical therapists, personal care assistants, phlebotomists, and home health aides.

There's also demand for non-clinical positions. Jessica Johnson, vice president of administrative and customer support at Robert Half, noted an increased need for specialists in accreditation, insurance verification, administrative management, patient registration, member services, and financial coordination.

Johnson emphasized, "Regardless of position, it's difficult to find qualified workers today." Therefore, some employers are offering bonuses to attract and retain staff, despite signs of a slowdown in the overall labor market.

Why health and social care continue to rise

Experts say the growth of these industries is driven by post-pandemic recovery, an aging population, and increasing demand for home care and telemedicine.

"Healthcare is becoming more of an ecosystem than a single service. It's like a river with many branches," Johnson explained. "We usually think of traditional medicine, but there's also mental health, home care, telemedicine, wellness—and the definition of this field is expanding."

Therefore, according to her, the number of employees in these areas should also increase.

Furthermore, the sector is actively implementing artificial intelligence and other technological advances, which is creating new opportunities, noted Wayne Winegard, a senior fellow at the Institute of Pacific Studies. He emphasized that demand is not dependent on the economic cycle: "If I'm sick, I'm sick, and I'll still need health care."

Donald Trump's immigration policies may also contribute to the increased demand for healthcare workers. Although immigrants make up 17% of the US workforce, they hold 31% of positions in home care, 21% in assisted living facilities, and 21% among nurses' aides, according to a 2024 report by Leading Age, a nonprofit group representing senior services.

Although the social assistance sector encompasses a wide range of services, social workers make up a significant portion of its workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook projects demand for social workers to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, higher than the average for all occupations. This growth is noted to be due to the aging of the baby boomer generation, as well as increased demand for mental health and addiction treatment.

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What job seekers should know

The labor market situation isn't all that hopeless. According to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook study published in September, 38% of employers plan to hire in the final quarter of the year.

Those seeking stable employment should consider the healthcare sector, which remains relatively recession-resistant.

While demand for specialists with specialized skills remains strong in many fields, healthcare is a field where opportunities exist for more than just physicians.

"You might consider nonprofits that support hospitals, digital health and tech companies, and health and wellness apps," Johnson concluded. "If you're interested in healthcare, there are really a lot of opportunities."

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