HRSA - U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Service Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Home
Questions
Order Publications
 
Grants Find Help Service Delivery Data Health Care Concerns About HRSA
National Center for Health Workforce Analysis
 

The Maryland Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile

Health Resources and Services Administration Logo
State Health Workforce Profiles
Highlights
Maryland

Printer-friendly Maryland Highlights (PDF - 41 KB)

  • There were more than 206,000 people employed in the health sector in Maryland in 2000, 8.6% of Maryland’s total workforce, comparable to the national rate of 8.8% for health services employment. Maryland ranked 33rd among states in per capita health services employment.
  • Health services employment in Maryland grew 34% between 1988 and 2000, while the state’s population grew by 14% during that period, resulting in a net per capita growth of 18% in health services sector employment, close to the national growth rate of 21%.
  • The total population of Maryland is projected to grow 14% between 2000 and 2020, while the population 65 and over is projected to grow 47% between 2000 and 2020.
  • In 1999, the rates of deaths due to cancer, and firearms were above their respective national rates. The rate of deaths due to heart disease was below the national rate. Maryland was among the states with the highest number of reported AIDS cases in 2000-01.
  • In 2000, Maryland had fewer hospital beds per 100,000 population than the national rate.

Highlights of the findings about the health workforce in Maryland are presented below.

Medicine

  • There were nearly 13,900 active patient care physicians in Maryland in 2000. With 262 physicians per 100,000 population, Maryland was much higher than the national ratio of 198 physicians per 100,000. Maryland ranked 2n d among states in physicians per capita.
  • Maryland had 81 active primary care physicians per 100,000 population in 2000, higher than the rate of 69 per 100,000 for the entire country.
  • Medical schools in Maryland graduated 414 new physicians in 1999-00. Maryland ranked 13th among the 46 states with medical schools in number of medical school graduates. On a per capita basis, Maryland graduated more new physicians per 100,000 population (7.9) than did the entire United States (6.4) and ranked 15th among the 46 states with medical schools in medical
    school graduates per capita.
  • There were 725 physician assistants practicing in Maryland in 2000. This is equal to 13.6 physician assistants per 100,000 population, slightly less than the national rate of 14.4.

Nursing

  • There were nearly 51,500 licensed registered nurses (RNs) in Maryland in 2000; more than 45,300 were employed in nursing. There were 853.1 RNs per 100,000 population in Maryland in 2000, more than the national rate of 780.2.
  • Maryland ranked 47th among the states in the per capita employment of Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs), with 131.4 LPNs per 100,000 population as compared to the national rate of 240.8 per 100,000. Maryland ranked 31st among the states in the number of LPNs employed in 2000 with 6,980 workers.
  • Maryland had nearly 2,700 nurse practitioners in 2000. This was equal to 50.5 nurse practitioners per 100,000 population, higher than the national rate of 33.7.
  • With 248 certified nurse midwives in 2000, Maryland had 4.7 certified nurse midwives per 100,000 population, higher than the national rate of 2.9. Maryland ranked 10th among states in certified nurse midwives per capita.
  • With 362 certified registered nurse anesthetists in 2003, Maryland had 6.8 nurse anesthetists per 100,000 population, lower than the national rate of 9.3. Maryland ranked 39th among the states in nurse anesthetists per capita.

Dentistry, Pharmacy and Mental Health

  • There were 3,614 dentists, 2,680 dental hygienists, and 4,500 dental assistants practicing in Maryland in 2000. There were 68 dentists per 100,000 population in Maryland in 2000, above the national rate of 63.6. Maryland ranked 14th in the nation in dentists per capita. The per capita ratio of dental hygienists was slightly higher and the ratio of dental assistant was less than their respective national rates.
  • The number of dentists in Maryland increased 15% between 1991 and 2000 while the state’s population grew 9%. The result was a 5% increase in dentists per capita compared to a 16% increase nationwide.
  • There were 6,340 pharmacists and 6,280 pharmacy technicians and aides practicing in Maryland in 2000. Maryland had 119.3 pharmacists and 118.2 pharmacy technicians and aides per 100,000 population in 2000, both were ranked 1st, among the 50 states.
  • There were 1,093 psychiatrists, 5,390 psychologists and 8,000 social workers in Maryland in 2000. This was equal to 21.3 psychiatrists, 101.5 psychologists, and 150.6 social workers per 100,000 population. Maryland ranked 5th among states in psychiatrists per capita, 1st among states in psychologists per capita, and 31st among states in social workers per capita.

Aides

  • There were 5,900 home health aides and 24,070 nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants working in Maryland in 2000.