One million new jobs by 2018

The latest employment estimate for the direct-care workforce surpasses the 3 million mark and projected demand calls for an additional 1 million new positions by 2018.

Direct-care jobs are among the fastest-growing occupations

• Two direct-care occupations are expected to be the third and fourth fastest-growing occupations in the country.
• Home health aides and personal and home care aides are projected to increase by 50 percent and 46 percent, respectively.
• Three direct-care occupations are also among the top ten occupations projected to add the most new jobs across the entire economy.

The direct-care workforce has reached historic proportions

The direct-care workforce is larger than almost any other occupational grouping in the country. By 2018, direct-care workers are expected to exceed:

• Teachers, K-12 (3.9 million)
• Law Enforcement/Public Safety Workers (3.7 million)
• Registered nurses (3.2 million)

Employment growth is highest in home- and community-based care

By 2018, workers providing care in homes and community settings are expected to outnumber direct-care staff in nursing facilities and other institutions by nearly two to one.

The fastest employment growth for direct-care workers is expected to occur in:

• Non-residential services for the elderly and persons with disabilities (92%)
• Home health care services (58%)