During the first 15 months of the pandemic, those working in the healthcare sector saw a smaller average wage increase than those in other industries. This is according to a recent study published in JAMA Health Forum analyzing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found.
The study, which further emphasized the need to protect healthcare workers, found that average wages in healthcare rose only 5% from 2019 to 2020 while other industries’ average wages rose 6.7% during the same time.
Additional significant findings from the study included:
The first half of 2021 saw the largest gap, when healthcare wage increases were 1.5% and all industries’ average wage increases were 6.9%
healthcare employment dropped from 22.2 million in 2019 to 21.1 million halfway through 2020 (a 5.2% decline)
By the middle of 2021, healthcare employment “considerably rebounded” up to 21.8 million
The study highlights the importance of recognizing the impact that the pandemic had on healthcare workers in terms of employment and wages. While burnout has always been a concern for the industry, going on three years of the pandemic has emphasized its prevalence. The mass exodus of healthcare workers has wreaked havoc on the industry as more and more employees leave, now known as the Great Resignation.
Inadequate staffing is impacting not only patient care but also healthcare employee mental health, and has created an urgent need to address the issue. While there are several steps healthcare employees can take to reduce the feelings of burnout, taking control of their schedules and creating more freedom and flexibility is one of them.
At Hyr, we give physicians the opportunity to take control of their careers. Through a transparent process, physicians get connected to jobs where, how and when they want.