December __, 2009 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Employment growth in health care occupations, May 2004–May 2008

Employment and employment growth, selected healthcare occupations in the health care and social assistance sector, May 2004–May 2008
Occupation	Employment, May 2004	Employment growth, May 2004 to May 2008	Percent growth
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	118,130	8,799	7.4%
Medical records and health information technicians	132,850	9,116	6.9%
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics	120,540	21,471	17.8%
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists	134,210	12,271	9.1%
Healthcare support workers, all other	141,920	6,857	4.8%
Physical therapists	131,350	21,545	16.4%
Dental hygienists	152,580	16,474	10.8%
Radiologic technologists and technicians	167,200	30,452	18.2%
Dental assistants	255,380	26,407	10.3%
Medical assistants	357,690	87,445	24.4%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	586,390	32,580	5.6%
Home health aides	541,220	293,653	54.3%
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	1,225,180	65,003	5.3%
Registered nurses	1,969,660	199,960	10.2%

OF INTEREST

Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics

Fatal Injuries to Foreign-Born Hispanic or Latino Workers
Explores the industries, occupations, and events related to these fatalities.
For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Government Sector Jobs in 2022
Compares the labor force characteristics and experiences of workers in the for-profit, nonprofit, government, and self-employed sectors.
Union Membership, Activity, and Compensation in 2022
Focuses on trends in union membership, work stoppages, and pay and benefits among union members.
A Look at a Neat Industry: Distilleries
Examines trends in employment, establishments, wages, and consumer prices for distilleries.
Healthcare Occupations: Characteristics of the Employed
Compares the demographic characteristics of workers in healthcare occupations.