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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations

This occupational group includes chiropractors, dentists, pharmacists, physicians, surgeons, health diagnosing and treating practitioners, therapists, veterinarians, registered nurses, health technologists and technicians, and occupational health and safety specialists.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2024, more than basic people skills were required for 97.9 percent of healthcare practitioners and technical workers, and basic people skills were required for 2.1 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of healthcare practitioners and technical workers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	38.9	61.1
Pace: Pause control	26.4	73.6
Working around crowds	0.8	99.2
Telework	3.2	96.8
Work review: Supervising others	34.2	65.8
Work review: Presence of supervisor	53.3	46.7
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, credentials were required for 95.9 percent of healthcare practitioners and technical workers. Prior work experience was required for 22.5 percent and on-the-job training was required for 72.7 percent.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, greater than 95 percent of healthcare practitioners and technical workers were not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 8.6 percent, greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 91.4 percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 89.0 percent of healthcare practitioners and technical workers and was not required for 11.0 percent. For 6.8 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 71.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, 10.7 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 73.2 percent of healthcare practitioners and technical workers and was not required for 26.8 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 26.4 percent of healthcare practitioners and technical workers. On average, workers spent 39.5 percent of the workday sitting and 60.5 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of healthcare practitioners and technical workers with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	26.4	73.6
Driving	8.0	92.0
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	8.0	92.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey