Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor October 29, 2004Contact: Karin Zaugg, 206-733-9810 / 206-465-8387 (cell) karin.zaugg@seattle.govOffice of Economic Development releases Healthcare Industry Economic Impact StudySEATTLE – The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development released an economic impact study on Seattle’s healthcare industry that reveals that in 2002 the industry directly contributed nearly $6.37 billion to the local economy and directly employed 74,600 workers in the health care provider core. “Seattle’s healthcare industry is clearly a strong generator of revenue and jobs to our local economy,” stated Mayor Greg Nickels. “I want to support the creation of additional training and education to ensure Seattle citizens get those jobs.” “Seattle’s healthcare industry has a projected growth of 10,100 new jobs in the next ten years,” said Office of Economic Development’s Director Jill Nishi. “We will work with industry leaders to address challenges of workforce shortages and make sure we are prepared to support this growth. We will also explore other options to foster this important industry.” “The study highlights the healthcare industry’s important economic contributions to Seattle and the region,” said Troy Hutson, Executive Director of Health Work Force Institute, a co-sponsor of the study. “It also shows us opportunities in the workforce development area, which I look forward to working with our partners to address with proactive action steps.”The economic impact study commissioned by the Office of Economic Development highlights that:* The healthcare industry supports 74,600 jobs in Seattle’s healthcare provider ‘core’, spanning a wide range of occupations, including doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, therapists, dentists, nutritionists and public health administrators; the average salary of these jobs is $40,470;- more -Healthcare Industry Economic Impact Study, Page Two* In addition, another 21,800 jobs exist across the healthcare industry, with companies focusing on biotech, medical devices manufacturing, medical services and training and research;* In total, these 96,400 jobs across the broader healthcare cluster pay an average salary of $43,330;* Seattle has competitive advantages that can be leveraged, including superb regional hospitals, research institutes and academic medical centers, and opportunities to collaborate with world class biotech research;* The local healthcare industry is projected to grow by 10,100 jobs in the next ten years in areas such as residential health facilities, hospitals and health clinics, in-home care and medical technology.The healthcare study is one of a series of economic impact studies commissioned by the City’s Office of Economic Development. For more information and a full copy of the study, please visit the Office of Economic Development’s website at www.seattle.gov/economicdevelopment.# # #
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