August Skilled Nursing Facility Employment Shows Strong Gains vs. July

In its monthly jobs report, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said employment in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) was up 7,600 jobs in August when compared to the previous month of July and 62,800 jobs higher than the same month in 2024.

Employment in SNFs was at 1,556,500 in August versus 1,548,900 in July and 1,547,800 in June, BLS said. All numbers are seasonally adjusted.

When compared to August 2024, the positive direction for SNF employment was even more apparent. Last August, BLS said SNF employment was at 1,493,700, nearly 63,000 jobs fewer than are currently working in SNFs.

SNF employment continues to recover from the low point experienced during the pandemic in March 2022 when BLS numbers showed only 1,339,400 employed. Before the pandemic, SNF employment measured 1,586,500 in February 2022.

Mark Parkinson, CEO of Park Place Live, said the numbers indicate strong jobs growth for the sector in both the near-term and over the preceding year, but challenges remain for SNFs and staffing.

“August was a good month for us. The gain of 7,600 workers is encouraging, and it confirms the 12-month trend where we have gained 55,000 workers. This does not mean the job crisis is over. In rural areas it continues to be difficult to hire any workers, and across the country it is challenging to hire nurses. The August numbers are encouraging, but our staffing challenges remain,” Parkinson said.

Overall, BLS said the national unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent in August, up from 4.2 percent in July with non-farm payrolls 22,000 higher, a sign of continuing weakness in the employment picture, media reports said.