Healthcare Workforce Shortages by State: A Comprehensive 2025 Analysis
Healthcare Workforce Shortages by State: A Comprehensive 2025 Analysis The United States faces a critical healthcare workforce shortage that varies significantly across states and specialties. This comprehensive analysis examines...
The United States faces a critical healthcare workforce shortage that varies significantly across states and specialties. This comprehensive analysis examines the current state of physician, nursing, and technician shortages across all 50 states, providing healthcare leaders and policymakers with essential data for workforce planning and resource allocation.
Executive Summary
Healthcare workforce shortages have reached crisis levels in many states, with particularly acute needs in:
- Primary care physicians: Over 12,000 additional providers needed nationwide
- Mental health professionals: More than 6,000 psychiatrists needed to eliminate shortages
- Registered nurses: Approximately 34 states facing significant deficits
- Medical technologists: 20-25% vacancy rates in critical specialties
Physician Shortages by State
The following table shows the estimated additional practitioners needed to eliminate primary care and mental health shortages by state, based on Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations.
Primary Care and Psychiatrist Shortages
| State | Primary Care Physicians Needed | Psychiatrists Needed | Surgeons (Adequacy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 221 | 128 | Shortage |
| Alaska | 71 | 69 (est.) | Shortage |
| Arizona | 493 | ~150 (est.) | Shortage |
| Arkansas | 131 | 69 | Shortage |
| California | 971 | ~500 (est.) | Shortage |
| Colorado | 159 | 110 | Adequate |
| Connecticut | 53 | 0 (no shortage) | Adequate |
| Delaware | 71 | 41 | Adequate |
| Florida | 1,338 | 452 | Adequate |
| Georgia | 586 | 180 | Adequate |
| Hawaii | 87 | ~60 (est.) | Adequate |
| Idaho | 99 | 23 | 5.5/100k (≈36 short) |
| Illinois | 527 | 291 | Adequate |
| Indiana | 336 | 211 | Adequate |
| Iowa | 162 | 67 | Adequate |
| Kansas | 113 | 51 | Adequate |
| Kentucky | 305 | 131 | Adequate |
| Louisiana | 206 | 160 | Adequate |
| Maine | 18 | 11 | Adequate |
| Maryland | 282 | 81 | Adequate |
| Massachusetts | 94 | 13 | Adequate |
| Michigan | 490 | 144 | Adequate |
| Minnesota | 201 | 93 | Adequate |
| Mississippi | 251 | 90 | Shortage |
| Missouri | 476 | 117 | Adequate |
| Montana | 54 | 38 | Adequate |
| Nebraska | 33 | 32 (est.) | Adequate |
| Nevada | 183 | ~100 (est.) | 5.7/100k (≈55 short) |
| New Hampshire | 10 | 2 | Adequate |
| New Jersey | 19 | 28 | Adequate |
| New Mexico | 200 | 73 | Adequate |
| New York | 1,033 | 230 | Adequate |
| North Carolina | 409 | 217 | Adequate |
| North Dakota | 39 | 15 | Adequate |
| Ohio | 342 | 207 | Adequate |
| Oklahoma | 297 | 106 | 5.8/100k (≈68 short) |
| Oregon | 111 | 68 | Adequate |
| Pennsylvania | 73 | 65 | Adequate |
| Rhode Island | 13 | 11 | Adequate |
| South Carolina | 162 | 99 | Adequate |
| South Dakota | 56 | 34 | Adequate |
| Tennessee | 272 | 243 | Adequate |
| Texas | 916 | 614 | Adequate |
| Utah | 73 | 68 | Adequate |
| Vermont | 0 | 0 (no shortage) | Adequate |
| Virginia | 210 | 129 | Adequate |
| Washington | 499 | (data n/a) | Adequate |
| West Virginia | 123 | 89 | Adequate |
| Wisconsin | 152 | 70 | Adequate |
| Wyoming | 23 | 23 | Adequate |
Key Findings:
- Largest primary care shortages: Florida (1,338), New York (1,033), California (971), and Texas (916)
- Most severe mental health gaps: Texas (614), Florida (452), and California (~500 estimated)
- Rural surgeon shortages: Particularly acute in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, and Mississippi
Nursing Shortages by State
Registered Nurse (RN) shortages vary dramatically by state, with some experiencing significant deficits while others maintain surpluses.
Projected RN Shortages (2025)
| State | RN Shortage (%) | State | RN Shortage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | -7,340 (-14% surplus) | Montana | -250 (-2% surplus) |
| Alaska | -2,980 (-45% surplus) | Nebraska | -2,640 (-14% surplus) |
| Arizona | 16,350 (-24%) | Nevada | 2,190 (-8%) |
| Arkansas | 5,150 (-16%) | New Hampshire | 2,140 (-15%) |
| California | 40,790 (-12%) | New Jersey | 6,610 (-8%) |
| Colorado | 9,920 (-20%) | New Mexico | 7,060 (-36%) |
| Connecticut | -2,880 (-8% surplus) | New York | +340 (0% no gap) |
| Delaware | -760 (-7% surplus) | North Carolina | 16,390 (-15%) |
| Florida | 18,650 (-8%) | North Dakota | -1,920 (-25% surplus) |
| Georgia | 16,890 (-17%) | Ohio | 1,950 (-2%) |
| Hawaii | -4,070 (-34% surplus) | Oklahoma | 12,920 (-31%) |
| Idaho | 6,630 (-38%) | Oregon | 680 (-2%) |
| Illinois | -5,570 (-5% surplus) | Pennsylvania | 22,730 (-17%) |
| Indiana | 1,740 (-3%) | Rhode Island | -1,310 (-12% surplus) |
| Iowa | 6,670 (-21%) | South Carolina | 15,180 (-28%) |
| Kansas | 4,080 (-14%) | South Dakota | -1,110 (-12% surplus) |
| Kentucky | 9,580 (-19%) | Tennessee | 11,490 (-16%) |
| Louisiana | 7,350 (-15%) | Texas | 31,360 (-12%) |
| Maine | 2,150 (-15%) | Utah | 340 (-1%) |
| Maryland | 14,590 (-25%) | Vermont | -2,170 (-34% surplus) |
| Massachusetts | -15,570 (-24% surplus) | Virginia | 24,820 (-30%) |
| Michigan | 15,910 (-16%) | Washington | 9,040 (-13%) |
| Minnesota | -5,260 (-10% surplus) | West Virginia | 3,880 (-19%) |
| Mississippi | 3,160 (-10%) | Wisconsin | -4,250 (-8% surplus) |
| Missouri | 11,080 (-17%) | Wyoming | -5,130 (-99% surplus) |
Key Nursing Insights:
- Largest RN shortages: California (40,790), Virginia (24,820), Pennsylvania (22,730)
- Most severe percentage deficits: Idaho (-38%), New Mexico (-36%), Oklahoma (-31%)
- Significant surpluses: Wyoming (-99%), Alaska (-45%), Vermont (-34%)
Technician and Technologist Shortages
Critical Shortage Areas
Radiologic Technologists
- National vacancy rate: 18.1% in 2024 (up from 6.2% three years prior)
- Geographic impact: Rural Midwest and South particularly affected
- Urban challenges: Major metropolitan areas struggling with increased imaging demand
Medical Laboratory Technologists/Technicians
- National shortage: 20-25,000 personnel (12-15% of workforce)
- Recruitment challenges: Nearly 50% of laboratories report difficulty filling positions
- Universal impact: Both large and small states experiencing significant vacancies
Surgical Technologists
- Status: Critical shortage nationwide
- High-demand states: Florida, Texas, California (due to aging populations)
- Rural impact: Particular challenges in recruiting and retaining OR technicians
Regional Analysis and Implications
States with Acute Multi-Category Shortages
- California: 971 PCPs, ~500 psychiatrists, 40,790 RNs needed
- Texas: 916 PCPs, 614 psychiatrists, 31,360 RNs needed
- Florida: 1,338 PCPs, 452 psychiatrists, 18,650 RNs needed
- New York: 1,033 PCPs, 230 psychiatrists, balanced RN supply
States with Relative Workforce Stability
- Vermont: No primary care shortage, balanced mental health needs
- Connecticut: Minimal primary care needs, no psychiatrist shortage
- Wyoming: Significant RN surplus, manageable physician needs
- Massachusetts: Strong overall workforce with notable RN surplus
Future Projections and Trends
Physician Workforce
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a physician shortfall of up to 124,000 doctors by 2034, including severe deficits in:
- Primary care specialties
- Surgical specialties
- Rural and underserved areas
Nursing Workforce
- LPN shortages: National demand 5% above supply in 2025, widening to 17% by 2035
- Nurse Practitioner surplus: Projected 26% oversupply by 2027
- Geographic redistribution: Continued migration from rural to urban areas
Technology Impact
Emerging solutions include:
- AI-powered clinical decision support
- Automated administrative workflows
- Telemedicine expansion
- Remote patient monitoring
Strategic Recommendations
For Healthcare Organizations
- Workforce planning: Use state-specific data for recruitment targeting
- Technology adoption: Implement AI solutions to extend existing workforce capabilities
- Retention strategies: Focus on burnout reduction and workflow optimization
- Cross-training: Develop multi-skilled personnel to address multiple shortage areas
For Policymakers
- Education funding: Increase support for healthcare professional training programs
- Regulatory reform: Streamline licensing and scope-of-practice regulations
- Rural incentives: Enhance loan forgiveness and rural practice incentives
- Immigration policy: Facilitate international healthcare worker integration
For Technology Vendors
- Targeted solutions: Develop AI tools specifically for high-shortage states and specialties
- Integration focus: Ensure seamless EHR and workflow integration
- ROI demonstration: Provide clear metrics on workforce efficiency gains
- Training support: Offer comprehensive implementation and training programs
Conclusion
The 2025 healthcare workforce landscape reveals a complex pattern of shortages that varies significantly by state, specialty, and healthcare role. While some regions enjoy relative stability or even surpluses in certain categories, the overall trend indicates a critical need for immediate action.
The data shows that traditional workforce development alone cannot solve these shortages in the near term. Healthcare organizations must embrace innovative solutions, including AI-powered tools and automated systems, to extend the capabilities of their existing workforce while simultaneously investing in long-term recruitment and retention strategies.
Success in addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts between healthcare organizations, educational institutions, technology vendors, and policymakers to ensure that all Americans have access to quality healthcare regardless of their geographic location.
Sources: HHS/HRSA Health Workforce Simulation and HPSA data; AAMC/ACS data; HRSA Nurse Workforce Model projections; ASRT and ASCLS surveys for technologist shortages. Data represents 2025 projections based on current trends and HPSA designations.