Healthcare wages grew by 1.3% in 2025, after adjusting for inflation, more than double the overall rate of 0.5% for all jobs, according to analysis by Mahoney and Caleb Brobst at Stanford. Many jobs in healthcare require specialised training and certifications, leaving employers with a limited pool of candidates. Still, economists say it’s likely that healthcare workers will remain highly coveted, even if other parts of the economy begin slowing. “We’re likely to see some acute labour shortages in healthcare, especially as immigration falls to zero,” said Sam Kuhn, an economist at the recruitment software company Appcast. “But is demand for healthcare workers going to continue?

Source: New Zealand Herald February 15, 2026 01:39 UTC