Healthcare Staffing Market Size, Share, Growth – By Type, By End Use – Global Forecast, 2025 to 2034

Healthcare Staffing Market Size

The global healthcare staffing market size was valued at USD 69.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to exhibit growth at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2025 to 2034. One major driver is the increasing demand for healthcare services globally due to an aging population and rising rates of chronic diseases, which place higher staffing requirements on healthcare providers.
 

The ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and specialized roles, has further intensified the need for flexible staffing solutions. Hospitals and clinics are increasingly relying on temporary staffing agencies to fill critical gaps efficiently, enabling them to maintain high standards of patient care.
 

Technological advancements also support the growth of this market. Digital platforms and applications are now streamlining recruitment, enabling faster matching of professionals to vacancies and reducing the time and cost associated with hiring. Furthermore, the pandemic accelerated demand for telemedicine services, creating a need for remote healthcare professionals. This shift has broadened the scope of healthcare staffing to include virtual and hybrid roles.
 

Regulatory requirements for maintaining specific nurse-patient ratios and staffing levels in hospitals and long-term care facilities also drive the demand for healthcare staffing services. As governments and healthcare organizations emphasize compliance with these regulations, the use of staffing services becomes a reliable solution for maintaining optimal staff levels without incurring long-term employment costs.
 

Healthcare staffing refers to the provision of qualified medical professionals to healthcare facilities to meet temporary or permanent staffing needs. This industry connects hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, nursing homes, and other care providers with skilled workers, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and administrative staff. Agencies within this sector manage recruitment, placement, and training, ensuring that healthcare providers maintain optimal staffing levels. The industry addresses labor shortages, fluctuating patient demand, and regulatory compliance by offering flexible staffing solutions, including travel nurses, per diem staff, and locum tenens staffing, which help maintain quality patient care efficiently and cost-effectively.
 

Healthcare Staffing Market Trends

The increasing demand for temporary staffing for medical professionals is a major driver in the market. Healthcare facilities face fluctuating staffing needs due to factors like seasonal patient volumes, varying demand in specialized care, and unexpected staff shortages due to illness or burnout.
 

• Temporary staffing offers flexible solutions, allowing hospitals and clinics to maintain adequate personnel levels without committing to long-term contracts. Additionally, this demand is amplified by a global shortage of healthcare workers.
   
• Temporary staffing fills critical roles in specialties like nursing and allied health, where travel nurses and locum tenens physicians are often employed to address regional shortages. These flexible roles help reduce burnout among permanent staff by offering relief during peak demand periods, such as the winter flu season or during pandemic-related surges.
   
• Moreover, temporary staffing services ensure that healthcare organizations can remain compliant with patient care standards by filling positions quickly, supporting continuity of care and minimizing disruptions. Consequently, the growing need for adaptable workforce solutions in healthcare directly fuels the expansion of the market, especially as healthcare providers prioritize both cost-efficiency and high-quality patient care.
   

Healthcare Staffing Market Analysis

Based on type, the market is segmented into travel nurse staffing, locum tenens staffing, allied healthcare staffing, and per diem nurse staffing. The travel nurse staffing segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.8%, reaching over USD 70.8 billion by 2034.
 

• Travel nurses provide critical support during peak demand periods and are invaluable in specialized areas where permanent staff might be limited. This segment enables hospitals and clinics to quickly address staffing needs during crises, such as seasonal increases in patient admissions or public health emergencies, ensuring continuity of patient care. Travel nurses also bring specialized expertise that may not be locally available, particularly in rural or underserved areas, further contributing to the segment's growth.
   
• Additionally, the increasing preference among nurses for flexible working conditions, competitive pay, and diverse clinical experiences makes travel nursing highly attractive.
   
• Travel nurse staffing is particularly popular due to its broad applicability across a range of hospital settings, from emergency rooms to intensive care units. While allied healthcare and per diem staffing also play critical roles, they are often more localized or specialized, catering to different staffing needs. The strong demand for travel nurses, combined with flexibility in assignment duration and location, establishes this segment as the leading driver within the market.      
   

Based on end use, the healthcare staffing market is segmented into healthcare facilities, biopharmaceutical companies, government clients, and other end users. The healthcare facilities segment dominated the market in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 94.7 billion by 2034.
 

• The healthcare facilities segment, a key driver within the market, is fueled by the ongoing need to manage patient care demands while addressing workforce shortages and cost constraints. Hospitals, clinics, and specialized treatment centers rely on staffing solutions to meet fluctuating patient volumes, particularly during seasonal peaks or public health crises. With patient care and satisfaction as top priorities, healthcare facilities increasingly turn to staffing agencies for flexible, temporary, and permanent staffing solutions to reduce staff burnout and ensure compliance with safety standards.
   
• Furthermore, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the aging population requires healthcare facilities to maintain adequate staff across various specialties, increasing the demand for tailored staffing services. Healthcare facilities present a high and continuous demand due to their direct interaction with patients and their need to adapt quickly to care delivery challenges.
   
• The segment's reliance on specialized staffing is more pronounced than in biopharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and other sectors, as patient-facing services demand faster, often immediate, staffing solutions. Consequently, the healthcare facilities segment dominates the market, driving significant growth and shaping trends in recruitment, placement, and workforce management.
   

North America healthcare staffing market accounted for USD 38.7 billion market revenue in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2025 and 2034.
 

• Increasing healthcare demand due to an aging population and the rise in chronic illnesses intensifies the need for skilled professionals across various healthcare facilities. As hospitals and clinics face a workforce shortage, especially among nurses and specialized healthcare practitioners, they are increasingly turning to staffing services to ensure high-quality patient care.
   
• Additionally, burnout rates, particularly post-pandemic, have led many professionals to pursue temporary or flexible employment, boosting demand for staffing agencies that can provide this workforce flexibility. Government regulations and quality standards further require healthcare facilities to maintain adequate staffing levels, supporting the market's growth.
   
• The healthcare sector’s shift towards patient-centered and home-based care models has also created diverse roles and staffing needs across different healthcare settings, reinforcing the region's reliance on temporary staffing solutions.
   

U.S. healthcare staffing market was valued at USD 36.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow substantially in the coming years.
 

• An aging population and the prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, are driving increased demand for healthcare services and skilled staff. Additionally, the U.S. faces significant workforce shortages across medical fields, notably in nursing and specialized care, which heightens reliance on staffing agencies to fill these critical gaps.
   
• Post-pandemic shifts have further emphasized the need for flexible staffing options, as many healthcare professionals now seek temporary or contract-based roles to avoid burnout. Government healthcare reforms and quality mandates also encourage consistent, qualified staffing levels in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities, bolstering the market. Furthermore, advancements in telehealth and remote patient monitoring have created new roles, broadening the scope of staffing needs and driving overall market expansion.
   

U.K. healthcare staffing market is projected to grow remarkably in the coming years.
 

• A key driver is the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and specialized practitioners, due to an aging workforce and increasing retirements. Combined with high patient demand stemming from the U.K.'s aging population and rising chronic health conditions, this shortage is intensifying pressure on healthcare providers to find adequate staffing solutions.
   
• Brexit has also had a considerable impact, as many foreign-trained healthcare professionals left the U.K., creating additional gaps in workforce availability. To address these challenges, the National Health Service (NHS) has increasingly turned to staffing agencies for both temporary and permanent placements. Moreover, healthcare reforms, digital healthcare advancements, and a growing emphasis on mental health services are widening the range of roles within the market. The private sector’s expansion, particularly in telemedicine, is also creating new staffing demands, further boosting market growth.
   

China holds a dominant position in the Asia Pacific healthcare staffing market.
 

• The rapidly aging population is driving substantial demand for healthcare services, particularly for chronic and age-related diseases, which, in turn, raises the need for a skilled healthcare workforce. As urbanization continues, the demand for healthcare professionals in urban centers increases, exacerbating staffing shortages in both urban and rural areas. The Chinese government is also heavily investing in healthcare infrastructure to improve access and quality, with initiatives like the Healthy China 2030 plan aimed at expanding healthcare services and addressing public health needs. This has spurred demand for healthcare professionals across hospitals, clinics, and other care facilities.
   
• Furthermore, China’s focus on advanced healthcare sectors, including telemedicine and biotechnology, is creating new roles within the healthcare system, such as telemedicine consultants and biotech researchers, further expanding the scope of healthcare staffing. Private sector growth and increased funding for healthcare start-ups are also driving the need for qualified healthcare staff, as private hospitals and clinics continue to open and require staffing solutions to support specialized services.
   

Healthcare Staffing Market Share

The market is highly competitive, with several key players holding significant shares. Market leaders such as AMN Healthcare, CHG Healthcare Services, and Cross Country Healthcare dominate due to their established networks, comprehensive service offerings, and advanced technology platforms for talent acquisition and management. These companies leverage technology to streamline staffing processes, improving the efficiency and flexibility that healthcare providers need to address fluctuating staffing demands.
 

Additionally, companies with specialization in segments like travel nursing and locum tenens staffing have seen growth as the demand for temporary healthcare professionals rises. New entrants and regional players are also emerging, catering to local needs and niche roles, adding to the market’s dynamic landscape. The top players’ adaptability to changing regulations and digital transformation trends continues to strengthen their market positions.
 

Healthcare Staffing Market Companies

Prominent players operating in the healthcare staffing industry include:

• Adecco Group
• AMN Healthcare
• Aurus Medical
• Aya Healthcare
• CHG Management
• Cross Country Healthcare
• Envision Healthcare
• Healthtrust Workforce Solutions
• Jackson Healthcare
• LocumTenens
• Maxim Healthcare
• Medical Solutions
• Medicus Healthcare Solutions
• TeamHealth
• Trustaff
   

Healthcare Staffing Industry News:

• On April 2023, IMN Enterprises introduced MedAdventures, a healthcare staffing company offering tailored workforce solutions, high-quality staffing services, and career support for medical facilities.
   
• On January 2023, industry expert Sigrid Boring founded ConTemporary Locums LLC, aiming to improve physician staffing by offering clients an extensive pool of diverse physician expertise. Both companies reflect the market's trend toward specialized and flexible solutions.
   

The healthcare staffing market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Travel nurse staffing
• Locum tenens staffing
• Allied healthcare staffing
• Per diem nurse staffing

Market, By End Use

• Healthcare facilities
• Biopharmaceutical companies
• Government clients
• Other end users  

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE