Top 10 states with the highest demand for healthcare workers in 2025

Interested in learning about where your specialty is in the most demand? Staffing needs exist all across the country, and in this list, we get into where the highest demand is for healthcare workers of all different specialties.

10. Wisconsin

Like many states, Wisconsin is expected to face a shortage of doctors in the next ten years, with 745 positions statewide. This is largely due to 40% of their primary physicians approaching retirement. At the same time, patients age alongside them, making up 38% of the healthcare visits in Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s 2025 report, some of the highest recent vacancy rates were for occupational therapists (10.4%), pharmacists (9.3%), radiology techs (7.2%), and lab technicians (4.1%). Wisconsin has also been ranked as the top state for radiologists to practice in, with an average salary of $213,159, and the top state for physician earnings at $387,000 a year.

Since these are specialties that are less often in demand in other states, Wisconsin is a great place to look for opportunities for therapists, pharmacists, and medical technicians.

9. Texas

The demand for physicians in Texas is so high that there is a projected shortage of more than 10,000 physicians by 2032. Currently, 37 counties in the state lack even one primary care physician. Texas attempted to alleviate this problem this year with the Doctor Act, which makes it easier for experienced international physicians and graduate physicians to provide care in the state. However, the bill is still newly passed, so demand still exists.

According to a 2020 Texas Health and Human Services projection, general internal medicine is expected to be the specialty in shortest supply by 2032. Demand also varies by region in the second largest U.S. state—in the Gulf Coast region, for example, family medicine shortages are expected to rise, with demand projected to decrease by almost 10% by 2032. Texas is also home to some of the largest metros in the country, including San Antonio, one of the best-paying places for occupational therapists to work.

8. Pennsylvania

As a leader in the medical and pharmaceutical industries and a training center for healthcare professionals, Pennsylvania ranked as the second-best state for medical lab technologists in 2025, with over 3,000 jobs available.

Despite ranking third in the country for medical school graduates in 2024 and boasting more than 9,000 medical residents at that time, Pennsylvania still has unmet needs.

7. Ohio

Like Pennsylvania, Ohio is home to renowned medical centers, namely the Cleveland Clinic. In Cleveland, cancer treatment in particular thrives, and job growth in the state for healthcare providers receives consistent support. It is also a great place to look for work as a nurse anesthetist.

However, a projection by Medical Technology Schools found that by 2030, Ohio is also expected to add 420 pharmacy tech jobs, 810 clinical lab technologist and technician jobs, another 810 occupational therapist jobs, and a whopping 1,290 physician assistant jobs.

6. North Carolina

North Carolina’s population has historically desperately needed primary care physicians. It ranks in the bottom half of the country, with a physician-to-patient ratio that is 10% worse than the rest of the country’s average. Rural communities in the state lack enough primary care providers to meet demand despite the higher density of providers in those areas. Family-focused providers are especially in demand.

One way recruitment is supported is with a new policy that provides student loan repayment for healthcare workers in the state. For early-career physicians looking for ways to shrink their debt sooner rather than later, working in North Carolina could be one way to do so.

5. New York

One of the best places for healthcare workers to get into cutting-edge research and technology, New York also has a high need for service, especially since it has one of the largest populations of residents over 65. New York State’s distribution of healthcare professionals is uneven statewide, leading to treatment delays in rural and urban areas. However, New York ranks as a lower-paying state in general for healthcare workers, so opting to work in cities and towns outside of NYC can be a better way to maximize pay while meeting demand in rural areas.

Some specialties in New York are higher than the rest of the country, though—New York State pays CRNAs better than most states, especially those who elect to work in New York City. Healthcare administrators can also look to the state for the highest salaries offered in the country, with an average annual salary of $179,160 and jobs in leadership at major hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient centers, and government agencies.

4. Illinois

This Midwestern state struggles particularly with rural physician staffing, with about 50% fewer physicians per capita than in its urban areas. This is accompanied by a statewide shortage of physicians, which causes long wait times and lesser care across facilities. Demand has been especially high for internists and pediatricians, with job postings for these positions rising by over 100% between 2017 and 2021. OB-GYNs, for their part, saw job postings increase by 455% in the same period. 

Historic towns like Nauvoo and Ottawa offer charm and access to scenic rivers for physicians interested in meeting healthcare needs in the rural areas of Illinois that need help the most. In contrast, Kankakee County offers country life within close proximity to Chicago.

3. Georgia 

One of the best states for doctors' wages, with an average salary of $363,000, Georgia is also a reliable place to find work filling healthcare gaps. Most counties are in a shortage area, with needs varying across counties.

There are no psychiatrists in 90 counties, which is well over half of the state. Georgia is also experiencing a nursing shortage, so for nurses across specialties like nurse anesthetists, Georgia is another place to look for opportunities. With growing demand thanks to the growing number of aging baby boomers, Georgia expects to need 100,000 health jobs by 2030.

2. Florida

Ranked in 2023 as the 8th best-paying state for doctors ($359,000 a year), Florida employs CRNAs in particular. Other healthcare workers in demand in Florida include primary care doctors, which tracks alongside the already high and ever-growing number of retirees who both already live in Florida and those who relocate there.

Lack of specialists in preventive care that older people primarily rely on, like rheumatologists, urologists, and cardiologists, places more burden on primary care physicians. Emergency medical physicians are also in high demand, possibly because of tourism influx at certain times of year, placing an extra burden on emergency services.

1. California

While California does not face the same deep lack of providers per capita as other states covered in this article, California still has a huge demand for healthcare workers. Simply put, California has the highest population in the country, not only because of its size but because of the population density of its cities. The cost of living is high everywhere in the state, which can keep providers away from rural areas. Lack of primary care providers cascades into high pressure in emergency rooms in cities like Chico, where there aren’t other options for residents to address their healthcare concerns.

California is, however, one of the top-paying states for physician assistants, speech-language pathologists, and physical therapists. It also happens to be a great place for nurse practitioners to find many openings where they have full practice authority.

Ready to lend your help to one of these states? We can help you find the perfect job. Give us a call at 800.453.3030 to get started or view healthcare opportunities in your profession.