Avery-Stoss
WILKES-BARRE — Healthcare workers continue to form a critical segment of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s labor force, according to labor market data provided by The Institute.
The workforce across Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties is sizable and relatively stable, yet under increasing pressure from strong employer demand, an aging workforce, and persistent challenges in attracting new healthcare professionals.
“Northeast Pennsylvania is home to 19,146 healthcare workers, exceeding the national average of 17,300 workers for an area of similar size,” says Jill Avery-Stoss, President and CEO of The Institute. “Employment in the healthcare sector has grown modestly, about 3 percent between 2020 and 2025, and is expected to level off through 2030. Despite flat growth projections, hiring activity remains exceptionally high, signaling that replacement needs and turnover are driving ongoing demand.”
Avery-Stoss said healthcare hiring competition is particularly intense in Northeast Pennsylvania. Employers posted an average of 1,388 healthcare job openings per month over the past year, surpassing the national average.
Nearly 17,000 unique job postings were recorded, and positions typically remained open for less than three weeks, reflecting urgent staffing needs. Roughly 953 companies in the region posted healthcare openings, reinforcing the sector’s scale and influence.
Avery-Stoss said hospitals dominate healthcare employment, accounting for one-quarter of all jobs in this occupational group. Outpatient care centers, physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities, and health and personal care retailers also employ significant numbers of workers. The variety of employers illustrates how healthcare employment extends far beyond hospital walls and across our community.
Wages in the region are notably lower than national levels, Avery-Stoss said. The median annual pay for healthcare workers is approximately $76,300, compared with a national median exceeding $86,000. While this makes labor costs more manageable for employers, Avery-Stoss said it creates challenges for recruitment, especially for highly skilled professionals who may find better compensation elsewhere.
Avery-Stoss said demographics present another looming concern. Nearly 5,500 healthcare workers are age 55 or older, creating a higher-than-average retirement risk over the coming decade. The workforce is also heavily female. Women make up more than 78% of all healthcare practitioners and technical workers in NEPA. These trends point to future workforce gaps unless new and more diverse entrants are attracted to the field.
Nursing roles dominate regional demand. Licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, CT and MRI technologists, and home health nurses rank among the most frequently advertised positions, Avery-Stoss said. Employers consistently seek skills tied to nursing care, radiology, medication administration, patient safety, treatment planning, and direct patient care. The growing emphasis on outpatient services and home health care is also reshaping what types of roles are most in demand.
Avery-Stoss said education remains a critical bright spot.
“Regional colleges and universities produced more than 2,600 healthcare-related graduates in 2024, mostly from nursing, physician assistant studies, psychology, and biological sciences programs,” added Avery-Stoss. “As the need for qualified healthcare workers continues to grow in Northeast Pennsylvania, aligning education, wage competitiveness, and workforce retention efforts will be key to meeting the area’s healthcare needs in the years ahead.”
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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.