Childhood cancer research and care rely on a broad, multidisciplinary workforce. In the United States, nearly 100K professionals work across 13 major job categories, supporting everything from bedside care and laboratory research to clinical trials, data analysis, survivorship, and advocacy.
Below is a category‑by‑category breakdown, with sources and clear assumptions.
Estimated U.S. Employment by Category.
⚠️ These are order‑of‑magnitude estimates, not exact counts. Ranges reflect part‑time roles, research effort %, and mixed adult/pediatric positions.
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Physicians & Advanced Medical Providers 4,000–5,000
- 2,200–2,500 board‑certified pediatric hematologist‑oncologists
- 500–700 pediatric oncology APPs (NPs/PAs)
- 600–800 subspecialists (BMT, neuro‑oncology, radiation, survivorship)
Sources: ASPHO & ABP workforce surveys; AAP Pediatrics workforce modeling [publications.aap.org], [The Americ…kforce …]
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Nursing & Direct Patient Care 25,000–30,000
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- Pediatric oncology inpatient & outpatient nurses
- Infusion nurses, research nurses, nurse managers, PCTs
- Pediatric oncology is a small subspecialty within nursing, but every pediatric cancer program employs dozens to hundreds of nurses.
Sources: HRSA workforce data; APHON; hospital staffing ratios [bhw.hrsa.gov], [aphon.org]
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Laboratory & Bench Scientists 12,000–15,000
- Principal Investigators, staff scientists, postdocs, lab techs
- Basic, translational, and pre‑clinical pediatric cancer research
- COG alone involves 10,000+ scientific experts globally, with the majority in the U.S.
Sources: Children’s Oncology Group; NCI Pediatric Oncology Branch [datacatalo…cancer.gov], [ccr.cancer.gov]
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Clinical Research Operations 9,000–11,000
- Clinical research coordinators
- Trial managers, CRAs, study start‑up staff
- Every COG or NCI‑sponsored trial requires multiple full‑time research staff.
Sources: COG network size; NIH clinical trials infrastructure [datacatalo…cancer.gov], [stjude.org]
5. Data Science & Biostatistics 3,000–4,000
- Biostatisticians
- Bioinformaticians
- Clinical data managers
Sources: St. Jude, Fred Hutch, NCI workforce models [fredhutch.org], [ccr.cancer.gov]
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Pharmacy & Drug Development 2,000–3,000
- Pediatric oncology pharmacists
- IDS pharmacists
- GMP manufacturing & PK scientists
Sources: Oncology pharmacist workforce studies; NCI GMP programs [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov], [stjude.org]
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Psychosocial & Mental Health Services 6,000–8,000
- Social workers
- Psychologists
- Child life specialists
- Counselors and psychiatrists
- National pediatric cancer care standards require psychosocial staffing.
Sources: COG supportive care guidelines; HRSA behavioral health data [phi.org], [bhw.hrsa.gov]
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Rehabilitation, Survivorship & Support Therapies 5,000–6,000
- PT, OT, SLP
- Survivorship program staff
- Nutritionists and late‑effects specialists
- Survivor population >500,000 in the U.S., driving workforce demand.
Sources: NCI survivorship data; pediatric rehab Workforce [cancer.gov], [Careers in…aspho.org]
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Genetics & Counseling 1,500–2,000
- Genetic counselors
- Genomics program staff
Sources: National Society of Genetic Counselors; pediatric oncology program staffing [fredhutch.org], [cancer.gov]
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Public Health, Prevention & Education 2,500–3,500
- Public health scientists
- Community engagement and outreach staff
- Implementation scientists
Sources: NCI Childhood Cancer Data Initiative; community health workforce data [nccrdatapl…cancer.gov], [phi.org]
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Administration, Finance & Compliance 8,000–10,000
- Research administrators
- Grants & finance staff
- Regulatory and IRB professionals
- Clinical trials are administratively labor‑intensive.
Sources: NIH grants administration ratios; large academic health systems [bhw.hrsa.gov], [stjude.org]
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Advocacy, Fundraising & Policy 2,000–3,000
- Nonprofit staff
- Government relations
- Foundation and development teams
Sources: CureSearch, CCRF, ALSAC (St. Jude) employment data [curesearch.org], [childrenscancer.org]
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Education & Training 2,000–2,500
- Fellowship & residency faculty
- Training grant staff (T32, K12)
- Medical educators
Sources: ACGME, ABP, NCI training programs [abp.org], [orit.resea…ch.bcm.edu]
Overall, meeting future needs will require coordinated investment across clinical care, research infrastructure, workforce well‑being, and training to ensure that scientific advances translate equitably into improved outcomes for children and families.
About Gear Up Against Kids Cancer
Gear Up Against Kids Cancer is an annual cycling event benefiting the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (Greehey CCRI), a leader in advancing cures and treatments for childhood cancers. Riders of all skill levels come together to support lifesaving research while enjoying a safe, community‑focused ride through San Antonio.
Proceeds from the event directly support innovative pediatric cancer research aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life for children and families affected by cancer. By participating, riders, volunteers, and sponsors help fuel discoveries that move promising science from the lab to the clinic.
Gear Up Against Kids Cancer is more than a bike ride—it’s a commitment to giving children a healthier future.
