Healthcare in the U.S.: The Areas with the Highest Demand for Professionals

The U.S. healthcare market is experiencing a long-term equation favorable to those with technical qualifications: demand is growing, the shortage of professionals persists at various levels, and salaries remain above the national average. For international workers, this structural imbalance opens up concrete opportunities, from nursing to hospital management, though accompanied by strict regulatory requirements. Understanding where the greatest shortage lies and how each immigration pathway works is the first step toward realistic planning.

A Growing Sector

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts numbers on this trend: the healthcare sector is expected to generate about 1.9 million openings per year through 2034, combining growth and workforce replacement. The median salary for occupations in the sector reached $83,090 in 2024, above the national average, a direct reflection of the pressure for skilled labor.

Nursing Leads the Shortage

Nursing remains the main driver of demand. The BLS projects about 189,000 annual openings for Registered Nurses, with a median salary of $93,600 in 2024 and 5% growth through 2034. At the same time, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates a shortage of more than 108,000 nurses by 2038, especially in regions outside major urban centers.

This has a direct immigration impact: nurses fall under the so-called Schedule A, the federal list of occupations with structural shortages that speeds up employment-based permanent residency processes.

Advanced Practice Grows Faster

Advanced practice roles, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are growing faster than average. For some of these occupations, the BLS projects growth of up to 35% through 2034, with average pay above $129,000 per year. These professionals handle diagnosis, prescribing, and direct patient care, often filling gaps left by physicians in underserved areas. Even so, the HRSA notes that geographic distribution remains uneven, concentrated in urban regions.

Rehabilitation and Mental Health

Other areas are growing steadily as well. Physical therapists are expected to increase 11% and occupational therapists 14% through 2034, with median salaries between $98,000 and $101,000 per year. The federal government also identifies a shortage in mental health and primary care: about 20% of the population lives in areas with a shortage of healthcare professionals, which increases demand for physicians, therapists, and specialists in ongoing care.

Healthcare Management in the Spotlight

The system’s expansion doesn’t depend on clinical staff alone. The BLS points to 23% growth in demand for healthcare service managers, with more than 62,000 annual openings and a median salary of $117,960. This growth reflects the increasing complexity of hospitals and clinics and the need to manage teams, costs, and technology efficiently.

Overview of In-Demand Areas

AreaGrowth through 2034Salary (2024)Registered nurses5% (189,000 openings/year)$93,600 (median)Nurse practitioners and physician assistantsup to 35%over $129,000Physical therapists11%$98,000 to $101,000Occupational therapists14%$98,000 to $101,000Healthcare service managers23% (62,000 openings/year)$117,960 (median)

How It Works for Foreign Professionals

To work legally, international professionals must meet two sets of requirements: technical and immigration-related. The first step is usually credential validation and obtaining a state license, a common requirement for nurses, physical therapists, and other clinical roles.

On the immigration side, there are specific pathways. Schedule A occupations, such as nursing and physical therapy, allow for faster permanent residency processes, waiving the traditional labor certification. USCIS also requires, for several roles, the Health Care Worker Certification, which proves education, experience, and English proficiency. For physicians, the National Interest Waiver (NIW) can waive the job offer requirement when practicing in underserved areas.

Recent Changes in the Landscape

The regulatory landscape is shifting. The government has begun discussions to modernize Schedule A, which could expand the list of eligible occupations. At the same time, H-1B visa rules were adjusted in 2025, with changes to the selection process and greater weight given to higher salaries. These are signs of an attempt to align immigration policy with the market’s real needs, especially in critical sectors like healthcare.

What This Means

The combination of population growth, aging, and regional shortages keeps healthcare as one of the most strategic areas for skilled immigration to the United States. For international professionals, the takeaway is one of concrete opportunity, provided it comes with proper preparation: validated credentials, a state license, required certifications, and the right immigration pathway for their profile. For employers, the challenge remains filling positions in less attractive regions and sustaining continuity of care, which keeps international hiring a relevant part of the U.S. healthcare system.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.