Nursing homes
Nursing home jobs barely grew in August while home health care added 11,000 jobs
Federal jobs data released September 4 show nursing home employment almost unchanged in August, with health care hiring slowing overall and most new jobs going to home health services and hospitals.
Key facts
- Skilled Nursing News reported on September 4 that Bureau of Labor Statistics data released that Friday showed seasonally adjusted skilled nursing employment rose from 1.5901 million in July to 1.5902 million in August, a gain of about 100 jobs.
- Nursing and residential care facilities overall had 3.496 million jobs, down 1,800 from July.
- Health care as a whole added 13,000 jobs in August, compared with an average monthly gain of 32,000 over the previous 12 months.
What happened
Skilled Nursing News reported on September 4 that Bureau of Labor Statistics data released that Friday showed seasonally adjusted skilled nursing employment rose from 1.5901 million in July to 1.5902 million in August, a gain of about 100 jobs. Nursing and residential care facilities overall had 3.496 million jobs, down 1,800 from July.
Health care as a whole added 13,000 jobs in August, compared with an average monthly gain of 32,000 over the previous 12 months. Home health care services added 11,000 jobs and hospitals added 8,000. Skilled nursing employment is still about 32,800 jobs, or 2.1%, above August 2025. In July, skilled nursing facilities had added 3,200 jobs.
What it means for families
Staffing is the backbone of care quality. Flat hiring in nursing homes can mean fewer open beds and longer waits for admission, while growth in home health may mean more options for getting help at home.
For example: if a parent is leaving the hospital and needs rehab, the family may hear that nearby nursing homes have no beds because they cannot staff them. Asking early about both nursing home and home health options gives you a backup.
What this means in New York: this is national data. New York has also lost nursing home beds in recent years, so families here should ask about bed availability early.
Quick answers
How many jobs did nursing homes add in August 2026?
Skilled Nursing News reported on September 4 that Bureau of Labor Statistics data released that Friday showed seasonally adjusted skilled nursing employment rose from 1.5901 million in July to 1.5902 million in August, a gain of about 100 jobs. Nursing and residential care facilities overall had 3.496 million jobs, down 1,800 from July.
What to do this week
- If a hospital discharge is coming, ask the discharge planner on day one which nursing homes and home health agencies have openings.
- Ask any home health agency how soon they can start and how they cover missed visits.
- Keep a short list of two or three options rather than counting on one.
Sources
More from Nursing homes
- Senate Democrats' report calls for nursing home ownership transparency and stronger oversight
- Nursing homes have cut use of agency staff by 44% since 2022, research firm says
- Medicare confirms daily therapy alone can qualify a nursing facility stay