Healthcare Careers with the Fastest Growth in California 

Basic Overview 

Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants, and Occupational Therapists are among the healthcare professions projected to experience strong employment growth in California through 2032. According to California workforce projections, Nurse Practitioners lead the group with projected growth of 58.6%, followed by Physical Therapist Assistants (41.8%), Occupational Therapy Assistants (33.3%), and Occupational Therapists (20.5%). These careers offer opportunities to work in patient care, rehabilitation, and healthcare services while supporting California’s growing healthcare needs.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ 

Why Are Healthcare Careers Worth Exploring? 

Healthcare continues to be one of California’s largest employment sectors, creating opportunities across nursing, rehabilitation, therapy, and patient care professions.^¹  

For students exploring healthcare careers, understanding which occupations have strong projected growth can help guide educational and career decisions. 

While job growth is only one factor to consider, reviewing workforce trends alongside educational requirements, work environments, and personal interests can help you identify a career path that aligns with their goals. 

Why Are Healthcare Careers Growing? 

Several factors contribute to continued demand for healthcare professionals across California. 

These include: 

• An aging population 
• Increased demand for rehabilitation services 
• Growth in healthcare and outpatient services 
• Advances in medical treatment and recovery programs 
• Greater emphasis on long-term care and wellness 

As healthcare needs continue to evolve, many healthcare professions are projected to experience employment growth throughout the state.¹ 

Which Healthcare Careers Are Projected to Grow the Fastest? 

Nurse Practitioner (NP) 

According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), Nurse Practitioners are projected to experience some of the strongest employment growth among healthcare professions in California. This pathway is expected to grow 58.6% from 2022-2032.² 

Nurse Practitioners are nurses who provide healthcare services such as patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and health education. Scope of practice varies based on state regulations and practice settings.² 

Nurse Practitioners often work in: 

• Hospitals 
• Primary care clinics 
• Specialty medical practices 
• Community health centers 
• Outpatient healthcare settings 

Students interested in becoming Nurse Practitioners typically begin by becoming Registered Nurses (RNs). After obtaining RN licensure, they complete graduate-level nursing education and then pursue nurse practitioner licensure according to state requirements.  

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) 

Physical Therapist Assistants are the second fastest to grow among healthcare professions in California. This career is expected to grow 41.8% from 2022-2032.³ 

Physical Therapist Assistants work under the supervision of licensed Physical Therapists to help patients improve mobility, strength, balance, and functional movement. 

PTAs often work in: 

• Outpatient rehabilitation clinics 
• Hospitals 
• Skilled nursing facilities 
• Home health settings 
• Rehabilitation centers 

Individuals interested in becoming Physical Therapist Assistants typically complete an associate degree program, fulfill applicable licensure requirements, and work under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.³ 

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) 

Additionally, Occupational Therapy Assistants are projected to experience strong employment growth in California. Job growth for this career is anticipated to be 33.3% from 2022-2032.⁴ 

OTA’s work under the supervision of Occupational Therapists to help individuals develop, recover, or maintain skills needed for daily living and participation. 

Occupational Therapy Assistants may work in: 

• Hospitals 
• Schools 
• Rehabilitation centers 
• Skilled nursing facilities 
• Community health settings 

Individuals interested in becoming Occupational Therapy Assistants complete an associate degree program, fulfill certification and applicable licensure requirements, and work under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.⁴ 

Occupational Therapist (OT) 

Occupational Therapists continue to be an important part of California’s healthcare workforce and are projected to experience employment growth over the coming decade. The demand for this career is projected to increase by 20.5% from 2022-2032.⁵ 

OT’s evaluate patients, develop treatment plans, and help individuals improve independence and participation in meaningful daily activities. 

Occupational Therapists may work in: 

• Hospitals 
• Rehabilitation facilities 
• Schools 
• Community health settings 
• Skilled nursing facilities 

Individuals interested in becoming Occupational Therapists complete a master’s degree program, fulfill certification and applicable licensure requirements, and provide occupational therapy services independently within their scope of practice.⁵ 

Why Are Allied Health Careers Growing? 

Many of the healthcare careers experiencing strong projected growth focus on rehabilitation, recovery, and improving quality of life. 

Healthcare professionals in rehabilitation settings help patients recover from: 

• Injury 
• Surgery 
• Illness 
• Neurological conditions 
• Age-related functional changes 

As healthcare organizations continue to focus on mobility, independence, and long-term wellness, rehabilitation-focused professions remain an important part of California’s healthcare workforce.¹ 

Healthcare Education Pathways at Stanbridge University 

Students interested in healthcare careers can explore several educational pathways at Stanbridge University. 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 

The Stanbridge University Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students for Registered Nurse career pathways through nursing coursework, simulation-based learning, and clinical experiences. 

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) 

The Stanbridge University Physical Therapist Assistant program prepares students to work with patients recovering from injury, illness, and surgery while supporting mobility and rehabilitation goals. 

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) 

Stanbridge University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program prepares students to support Occupational Therapists in helping patients develop or regain skills needed for daily living and participation. 

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) 

Stanbridge University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program prepares students to evaluate patients, develop treatment plans, and support participation in meaningful activities. 

Choosing a Healthcare Career Path 

Healthcare careers continue to offer opportunities for individuals interested in patient care, rehabilitation, wellness, and healthcare services. 

Understanding projected workforce growth, educational requirements, and professional responsibilities can help you identify healthcare pathways that align with their interests and long-term goals.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Footnotes 

¹ California Employment Development Department (EDD) Employment Projections Overview https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov

² California Employment Development Department (EDD) Nurse Practitioners Occupational Profile https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=Nurse+Practitioners&careerID=&menuChoice=&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=291171&search=Explore+Occupation

³ California Employment Development Department (EDD) Physical Therapist Assistants Occupational Profile https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=Physical+Therapist+Assistant&careerID=&menuChoice=&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=312021&search=Explore+Occupation

⁴ California Employment Development Department (EDD) Occupational Therapy Assistants Occupational Profile https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=occupational+therapy+assistant&careerID=&menuChoice=&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=312011&search=Explore+Occupation

⁵ California Employment Development Department (EDD) Occupational Therapists Occupational Profile https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=occupational+therapist&careerID=&menuChoice=&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=291122&search=Explore+Occupation