Like most healthcare providers nowadays, you’re probably dealing with increased patient volumes, limited clinical bandwidth, and rising provider burnout. Whether you’re running a private practice or overseeing a multi-site group, you’ve likely felt the strain of filling roles quickly without compromising quality.

If these sound all too familiar, the growth of the U.S. healthcare staffing market should matter to you! In this article, you’ll find a breakdown of the key data behind this $38 billion opportunity and the general healthcare staffing market outlook, along with actionable insights to help you evaluate and integrate staffing solutions that fit your organization’s needs – now and in the future.

What the Market Data Tells You

Two recent industry reports – one from SkyQuest and another from Newstrail – paint a clear picture of sustained demand:

Whether the final number lands closer to $29 billion or $38 billion, the direction of the healthcare staffing market outlook is clear: strategic staffing is becoming a cornerstone of care delivery.

Why This Growth Matters To You

1. The Aging Population Is Driving Demand

“Healthcare demand among the country’s aging population has been steadily rising as Baby Boomers grow older, and is expected to reach its peak by the year 2030,” says Shawn Janus, National Director of Healthcare Services of Colliers International. Older adults often require frequent, multidisciplinary care, which places increasing pressure on your clinical team. Having access to scalable staffing resources allows you to meet that demand without overextending your in-house staff.

2. Workforce Shortages Are Affecting Your Bottom Line

Chronic shortages are no longer isolated to rural areas or hard-to-fill specialties. National data shows a projected shortfall of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, and burnout is driving high turnover across all provider types. Supplemental staffing is one of the most effective ways to maintain continuity of care while navigating these realities.

3. Flexible Staffing Helps You Stay Agile

Today’s healthcare workforce increasingly values flexibility. As full-time roles become harder to fill, contract-based professionals such as travel nurses, locum tenens, and medical virtual assistants (VAs) give you the ability to staff dynamically, reduce administrative burden, and maintain performance standards even during peak periods.

Which Roles Are in High Demand?

Your practice may benefit from several in-demand staffing types:

• Travel nurses, who offer mobility and adaptability across specialties.
• Locum tenens physicians, ideal for short-term coverage, specialty gaps, or unexpected absences.
• Per diem clinicians and allied healthcare professionals, particularly useful for episodic or seasonal volume changes.
• Remote team members, who support administrative tasks like patient scheduling, billing, chart prep, prior authorizations, and follow-ups—allowing your clinical team to stay focused on direct patient care.

As remote workflows become standard across many aspects of healthcare, medical VAs are becoming a critical part of a modern, hybrid staffing model.

Staffing Is Not Just for Hospitals Anymore

While hospitals continue to drive the majority of staffing demand, private practices, specialty groups, and outpatient centers are increasingly turning to staffing firms and remote support. With cost pressures mounting and administrative complexity increasing, flexible staffing solutions give you the ability to deliver consistent care without the overhead of permanent hires.

How to Make This Opportunity Work for You

To take full advantage of healthcare staffing growth, consider these strategic actions:

Assess Current Pain Points

Evaluate where your practice is struggling most. Are physicians bogged down with admin work? Is staff burnout affecting retention? Identify specific workflows or time-drains where support could make a measurable difference.

Use a Mix of Staffing Models to Stay Agile

Instead of relying on a single staffing source, build a hybrid model that gives you both clinical and administrative flexibility. For example:

• Use locum tenens physicians during onboarding delays or specialty coverage gaps.
• Deploy travel or per diem nurses during seasonal spikes or staff leaves.
• Integrate medical VAs directly into your team to handle non-clinical work like documentation, appointment coordination, insurance verification, and patient follow-up.

Virtual team members can work in tandem with your in-house staff, improving efficiency and reducing stress across your organization. They are especially effective when embedded into specific workflows or paired with physicians to streamline daily operations.

Partner With Reputable Staffing Providers

Not all staffing partners are created equal. When hiring a remote team member, choose a staffing provider with proven healthcare expertise, strong vetting processes, and compliance support (including HIPAA). The key is to collaborate with an organization where you can get more without you doing more.

“With dozens of customizable roles and one monthly flat fee, you get a hassle-free hiring experience – a new, full-time employee, an account manager, & no payroll/HR responsibilities,” says Amanda Desuacido, CEO of My Mountain Mover.

Leverage Technology to Track and Optimize

Work with partners who provide performance tracking, time monitoring, and AI-assisted matching. This ensures you’re not just filling roles but continuously improving how those roles contribute to your overall performance.

Staffing Is a Strategic Asset, Not Just a Patch

It’s time to move beyond thinking of staffing as reactive or temporary. The healthcare staffing market is growing because the way we work is changing. Practices that adapt to this new reality with the right mix of people and tools will gain a competitive edge, reduce burnout, and deliver better patient outcomes.

Whether you’re filling a clinical gap or offloading administrative burden through medical VAs, the resources are available – and the opportunity is real.