Employment in the U.S. healthcare sector grew by 21,000 jobs in June, although the national unemployment rate remained steady at 9.5 percent, according to recent data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job gains in healthcare have averaged 21,000 per month thus far in 2009, down from an average of 30,000 per month during 2008.
Overall, nonfarm payroll employment fell by 467,000 jobs in June. Since the recession began in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 7.2 million, and the unemployment rate has risen by 4.6 percentage points.