Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Home health and personal care aides support people who need assistance in their daily lives. This career employs 4,348,000 workers nationally, reflecting a large, established field with many potential workplaces and settings. The national median annual salary is $34,900, and typical entry into the field requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it relatively accessible for new entrants and career changers. Projected employment growth of 17.0% and 766,000 annual openings suggest that opportunities to enter and advance in this occupation are widespread. Success in this role draws on interpersonal skills, physical strength and stamina, customer service, and adaptability, along with detail orientation and problem-solving. For people exploring related paths, similar occupations include nursing assistants, occupational therapy aides, psychiatric aides, personal care and service workers (all other), and protective service workers (all other). Overall, this role offers broad employment options across the country with a clear entry path and diverse skill use.
The national median annual salary for home health and personal care aides is $34,900, but earnings can vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports the highest median salary at $47,730, followed by Massachusetts at $40,910 and New York at $39,620. Colorado’s median is $38,540, and California’s is $34,320. At the metro level, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a median salary of $38,530, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both show median pay around $39,680–$40,910. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $37,640, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $35,950. These figures suggest that while the occupation’s national median is relatively consistent, workers may see higher or lower pay depending on the state and metro where they work.
Home health and personal care aides currently account for 4,348,000 jobs across the United States, indicating a large workforce. Looking ahead, employment in this occupation is projected to grow by 17.0%. This projected growth, combined with 766,000 annual openings, points to a substantial volume of hiring activity over time. The annual openings figure reflects not only new positions from growth but also opportunities created as people change roles or leave the workforce. For job seekers, career changers, and students, these numbers mean that positions are likely to be available in many regions and settings. The consistent 17.0% growth rate cited for leading states and metro areas further underscores the broad geographic reach of this outlook. Overall, the data supports viewing this career as one with sustained demand and frequent entry points for new workers.
Location can shape both opportunity and pay for home health and personal care aides. Among states, California stands out with 970,150 employed workers and an opportunity score of 67.38, indicating a very large job base. New York also has substantial employment at 663,140 with a 65.78 opportunity score. Massachusetts and Washington combine higher salaries—$40,910 and $47,730 median, respectively—with opportunity scores in the mid-60s to mid-50s, while Colorado offers $38,540 in median pay and an opportunity score of 56.97. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ show especially high opportunity scores of 77.42 and 77.27, respectively, pairing strong opportunity measures with median salaries around the high-$30,000s to high-$39,000s. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA also present notable combinations of employment, pay, and opportunity scores, giving job seekers several strong geographic options to consider.
The typical education requirement for home health and personal care aides is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this career accessible to individuals who have completed secondary education without requiring college degrees. Within this field, several skill areas are highlighted as especially important. Interpersonal skills and customer service support effective interactions with the people being served. Physical strength and stamina play a role in handling the more physically demanding aspects of the work. Adaptability and creativity and innovation help workers respond to changing needs and situations. Being detail oriented and having project management capabilities support organizing tasks and following through on care-related activities. Additional skills in leadership, science, and mechanical understanding can further strengthen performance and may open doors to more responsibility or specialized roles. Together, these skills complement the baseline education requirement and shape a well-rounded profile for success in this occupation.
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