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National Center for Health Workforce Analysis
 

The Washington Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile

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State Health Workforce Profiles
Highlights
Washington

Printer-friendly Washington Highlights (PDF - 41 KB)

  • There were over 215,000 people employed in the health sector in Washington in 2000, 8% of Washington’s total workforce, lower than the national rate of 8.8%. Washington ranked 36th among states in per capita health services employment.
  • Health services employment in Washington grew 48% between 1988 and 2000, while the state’s population grew by 27% during that period, resulting in a net per capita growth of 16% in health services sector employment, lower than the national rate of growth (21%).
  • The total population of Washington is projected to grow 26% between 2000 and 2020, while the population 65 and over is projected to grow 99% between 2000 and 2020.
  • In 1999, Washington was below the national rates of deaths due to cancer and firearms and significantly below the national rate of deaths due to heart disease.
  • In 2000, Washington ranked the lowest among states in the number of hospital beds per 100,000 population.

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

Medicine

  • There were 11,614 active patient care physicians in Washington in 2000. With 196 physicians per 100,000 population, Washington was close to the national ratio of 198 physicians per 100,000. Washington ranked 15th among states in physicians per capita.
  • Washington had 73 active primary care physicians per 100,000 population in 2000, slightly higher than the national rate of 69.
  • Medical schools in Washington graduated 147 new physicians in 2000. Washington ranked 31st among the 46 states with medical schools in number of medical school graduates. On a per capita basis, Washington graduated 2.5 new physicians per 100,000 population, well below the national rate of 6.4 and ranked 44th among the 46 states in medical school graduates per capita.
  • There were 1,120 physician assistants practicing in Washington in 2000. This was equal to 18.9 physician assistants per 100,000 population, above than the national rate of 14.4.

Nursing

  • There were nearly 54,800 licensed registered nurses (RNs) in Washington in 2000; almost 43,500 were employed in nursing. There were 735.5 RNs per 100,000 population in Washington in 2000, less than the national rate of 780.2.
  • Washington ranked 24th among the states in the number of Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs) employed in 2000 with 10,090 workers. Washington ranked 40th in the per capita employment of LPNs, with 170.7 LPNs per 100,000 population as compared to the national rate of 240.8 per 100,000.
  • Washington had 1,895 nurse practitioners in 2000. This was equal to 32 nurse practitioners per 100,000 population, close to the national rate of 33.7. Washington ranked 26th among states in nurse practitioner per capita.
  • With 220 certified nurse midwives in 2000, Washington had 3.7 certified nurse midwives per 100,000 population, above the national rate of 2.9. Washington ranked 17th among states in certified nurse midwives per capita.
  • With 349 certified registered nurse anesthetists in 2003, Washington had 5.9 nurse anesthetists per 100,000 population, lower than the national rate of 9.3.

Dentistry, Pharmacy and Mental Health

  • There were 4,528 dentists, 5,670 dental hygienists, and 8,420 dental assistants practicing in Washington in 2000. There were 76.6 dentists per 100,000 population in Washington in 2000, above the national rate of 63.6. Washington ranked 7th in the nation in dentists per capita. The per capita ratios of dental hygienists and dental assistants were also above their respective national
    rates.
  • The number of dentists in Washington grew 56% between 1991 and 2000 while the state’s population grew 18%. The result was a 32% increase in dentists per capita compared to a 16% increase nationwide.
  • There were 4,170 pharmacists and 4,780 pharmacy technicians and aides practicing in Washington in 2000. Washington had 70.5 pharmacists and 80.9 pharmacy technicians and aides per 100,000 population in 2000, which ranked them 36th and 29th, respectively, among the 50 states.
  • There were 633 psychiatrists, 1,870 psychologists, and 8,410 social workers in Washington in 2000. This was equal to 11.1 psychiatrists, 31.6 psychologists, and 142.3 social workers per 100,000 population. Washington ranked 18th among states in psychiatrists per capita, 28th among states in psychologists per capita, and 33rd among states in social workers per capita.

Aides

  • There were 10,720 home health aides and 18,460 nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants working in Washington in 2000. Washington had 181.3 home health aides and 312.3 nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants per 100,000 population in 2000, which ranked 20th and 45th, respectively, among the 50 states.