New York state’s health care jobs exceeded 1.2 million last year.

That's according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

The report shows health care employment rose by more than 18 percent over the past decade, more than double the pace of overall employment growth.

With 7.2 percent of the total, New York ranked third in the nation for its share of health care jobs.

DiNapoli's report found the health care industry in New York provided nearly $71 billion in wages, with an average annual wage of over $57,000 in 2017.

“Year in and year out, health care has been a growth sector for jobs in New York over the past decade,”  DiNapoli said. “Across upstate New York in particular, private employment would have declined if not for job gains in health care. If the federal government cuts health care spending, it could jeopardize these jobs and hurt an important sector of New York’s economy.”

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