The U.S. healthcare staffing market size was estimated at USD 24.68 billion in 2025 and is projected to be worth around USD 47.21 billion by 2035, is expanding at a CAGR of 6.70% from 2026 to 2035. The market is mainly influenced by a lack of nurses and clinicians, an older population needing ongoing care, and the growing need for flexible, temporary staffing options like travel nursing and locum tenens.

U.S. Healthcare Staffing Market Statical Scope

This market is essential for ensuring continuous patient care in the face of significant workforce shortages, an aging demographic, and increasing rates of chronic illnesses. It helps fill the gaps created by high burnout and retirement rates by providing both temporary and permanent staff to hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Staffing agencies quickly supply pre-vetted professionals to fill vacancies, ensuring that patient-to-staff ratios are upheld and care remains uninterrupted. Facilities utilize temporary staffing to handle varying patient numbers, lessen burnout, and avoid the high expenses linked to permanent hiring, such as employee benefits.

An aging population demands more healthcare services, putting pressure on current resources and heightening the need for skilled workers. The sector also offers vital support during surges in pandemics, natural disasters, or other healthcare crises. The market is evolving towards technology-driven, varied solutions, with a strong emphasis on travel nurses and locum tenens to address local shortages.

U.S. Healthcare Staffing Market, By Service, 2025 (%)

• Travel Nurse Staffing - The travel nurse staffing sector, with a share of 34%, is dominating the U.S. healthcare system as it quickly responds to serious nursing shortages, handles changing patient numbers such as spikes during flu seasons or emergencies, and maintains care continuity when full-time staff is not available.
• Per Diem Nurse Staffing - The per diem nurse staffing sector, with a share of 22%, is vital to the U.S. healthcare system because it offers immediate, adaptable, and cost-efficient labor to tackle significant staffing shortages, variable patient numbers, and last-minute shift cancellations.

U.S. Healthcare Staffing Market, By End Use, 2025 (%)

• Hospitals - The hospital sector, with a share of 52%, is the largest in the U.S. healthcare staffing industry due to ongoing labor shortages, high patient counts, and the requirement for specialized, round-the-clock personnel.
• Clinics - The clinics sector, with a share of 18%, is a key growth factor in the U.S. healthcare industry, fueled by rising demand for flexible staff to handle chronic illnesses, an increasing elderly population, and a critical shortage of healthcare providers.

Top Companies in the U.S. Healthcare Staffing Market

• Envision Healthcare Corporation
• AMN Healthcare
• CHG Management, Inc
• Maxim Healthcare Group
• Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
• Aya Healthcare
• Trustaff
• TeamHealth
• Adecco Group
• LocumTenens.com

Segments Covered in the Report

By Service

• Travel Nurse Staffing
• Per Diem Nurse Staffing
• Locum Tenens Staffing
• Allied Healthcare Staffing

By End Use

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Ambulatory Facilities
• Others