Massachusetts hospitals cut vacancies but critical staffing gaps persist, report says
Updated: 11:04 AM EST Nov 28, 2025
Massachusetts hospitals have added roughly 10,000 jobs since 2020, but face persistent shortages in critical areas, according to a new statewide workforce report released by the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association.The report, which was published earlier this month, said vacancies in key roles dropped from 19,000 in 2022 to 13,600 in 2024. The MHA attributes this progress to targeted hiring, expanded training programs, and state-funded workforce initiatives.”Nursing roles saw the most improvement, with five of the top 10 vacancy rate reductions occurring in nursing positions,” the report states. “One in every 10 nursing roles are now vacant, compared to a 15% vacancy rate in 2022.”Hospitals also reported a sharp decrease in their reliance on temporary travel nurses, with traveler hours falling 42% from 2023 to 2024, according to the association’s survey summary on page 9. However, the report said use of temporary labor remains four times higher than pre-pandemic levels.Despite the progress, the report identifies persistent shortages in critical areas, including behavioral health, technician roles, and support positions such as sitters and community health workers. The report identifies the 10 patient-facing roles with the highest vacancy rates: Sitter/Patient Observer (45%)Community Health Worker (27%)Endoscopy Technician (21%)Cardiac Catheter Technician (21%)Licensed Practical Nurse (21%)Mental Health Worker (20%)Surgical Technician (20%)Paramedic (20%)Certified Nurse-Midwife (20%)Patient Transporter (19%)”Low reimbursement rates for behavioral health result in comparatively lower salaries for social workers and related professions, making reimbursement and education opportunities a continued area of focus,” the MHA report states. “Additional resources for scholarships and pipeline programs are also needed to draw more people into the field, as many positions (such as mental health workers, technicians, and sitters) do not require advanced degrees.”Looking ahead, the report outlines recommendations for policymakers, including workplace violence protections, expanded training pipelines, improved reimbursement for community health workers, and streamlined authorization practices. MHA wrote that maintaining the recent gains will require “additional legislative action and targeted investments.”
BURLINGTON, Mass. —
Massachusetts hospitals have added roughly 10,000 jobs since 2020, but face persistent shortages in critical areas, according to a new statewide workforce report released by the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association.
The report, which was published earlier this month, said vacancies in key roles dropped from 19,000 in 2022 to 13,600 in 2024. The MHA attributes this progress to targeted hiring, expanded training programs, and state-funded workforce initiatives.
“Nursing roles saw the most improvement, with five of the top 10 vacancy rate reductions occurring in nursing positions,” the report states. “One in every 10 nursing roles are now vacant, compared to a 15% vacancy rate in 2022.”
Hospitals also reported a sharp decrease in their reliance on temporary travel nurses, with traveler hours falling 42% from 2023 to 2024, according to the association’s survey summary on page 9. However, the report said use of temporary labor remains four times higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Despite the progress, the report identifies persistent shortages in critical areas, including behavioral health, technician roles, and support positions such as sitters and community health workers. The report identifies the 10 patient-facing roles with the highest vacancy rates:
Sitter/Patient Observer (45%)Community Health Worker (27%)Endoscopy Technician (21%)Cardiac Catheter Technician (21%)Licensed Practical Nurse (21%)Mental Health Worker (20%)Surgical Technician (20%)Paramedic (20%)Certified Nurse-Midwife (20%)Patient Transporter (19%)
“Low reimbursement rates for behavioral health result in comparatively lower salaries for social workers and related professions, making reimbursement and education opportunities a continued area of focus,” the MHA report states. “Additional resources for scholarships and pipeline programs are also needed to draw more people into the field, as many positions (such as mental health workers, technicians, and sitters) do not require advanced degrees.”
Looking ahead, the report outlines recommendations for policymakers, including workplace violence protections, expanded training pipelines, improved reimbursement for community health workers, and streamlined authorization practices. MHA wrote that maintaining the recent gains will require “additional legislative action and targeted investments.”