More than 160,000 jobs. More than $34 billion in direct economic benefits.
The 2025 Economic Impact Report by the New Jersey Hospital Association shows that New Jersey hospitals are a cornerstone of the state’s economy.
That’s the take of Cathy Bennett, the CEO of the NJHA.
“New Jersey hospitals are recognized for delivering world-class care and their impact goes far beyond the bedside,” she said. “With 162,000 jobs and nearly $35 billion in economic activity, hospitals are economic playmakers for our state.”
The impact doesn’t stop there. Additional contributions from New Jersey hospitals include:
- $5.5 billion in purchased services supporting other businesses;
- $12 billion in hospital employee salaries; fixed labor costs represent nearly 60% of hospital budgets;
- $664.8 million in state income taxes from hospital employees.
When factoring in hospitals’ purchases of goods and services and their support of businesses large and small, multipliers formulated by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis push N.J. hospitals’ total economic infusion even higher.
- Each hospital job supports an additional 1.5 jobs in other sectors, turning 162,000 health care jobs into a total impact of about 398,000 jobs;
- Every dollar spent by a hospital generates $2.24 in economic output, contributing to $78 billion in statewide activity.
Then there’s this: The stats are based on 2023 data from New Jersey’s 70 acute care hospitals, but Bennett uses a 2026 event to show the scale of the true impact.
“The boost our hospitals provide in a single year is like hosting 10 World Cups right here in New Jersey,” she said.
Here’s a look at the full report, including breakdowns by hospital, county and legislative district.
