What does a home health aide do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living. A high school diploma or equivalent is typical. BLS reports a median pay of $35,800 per year (May 2025).
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SOC code | 31-1120 |
| O*NET code | 31-1121.00, 31-1122.00 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Median annual wage | $35,800 per year (May 2025) |
| Projected growth | 18 percent (much faster than average), 2025 to 2035 |
| Number of jobs | 4,677,100 (2025) |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 31 October 2026.
What does a home health aide do?
BLS says home health and personal care aides help clients with activities of daily living. Duties include personal tasks such as bathing and dressing, housekeeping, scheduling and transportation, grocery shopping and meal preparation, and keeping clients socially engaged. Home health aides may take vital signs or help with medication under a nurse's direction, while personal care aides provide nonmedical services.
Work environment
Many aides work in clients' homes, while others work in group homes or care communities. Individual and family services employ 51 percent, home healthcare services 23 percent, residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities 6 percent, and continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities 6 percent.
Education, training and licensing
BLS says a high school diploma or equivalent is typical, though some positions do not require one. Some states require a license or certification, which may involve training, a background check and a competency exam. Agencies receiving federal funds have additional requirements, and first aid and CPR certification may also be required.
Skills that matter
BLS lists detail orientation, emotional sensitivity, integrity, interpersonal skills and physical stamina as important qualities for this work.
How much does a home health aide make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $35,800 for home health and personal care aides (May 2025). The median is the wage at which half of workers earned more and half earned less. See the OOH pay tab and the OEWS data for your area. Our guide to researching pay explains how to read the figures.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of home health and personal care aides to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, which BLS labels much faster than average. For comparison, BLS projects 3 percent growth for all occupations over the same period. About 760,500 openings are projected each year on average. BLS says most openings come from replacing workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force, for example to retire.
How to get hired
- Check your state for training, background check and certification rules, and ask agencies what they provide.
- Show results on your resume: the tools you used, the volume you handled and the outcomes, without private customer or employer details.
- If you lack experience, see the no-experience resume guide.
- Practice with the interview prep hub.
When you are ready, search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
Nursing assistants, Licensed practical nurses, Medical assistants, Registered nurses, Social workers.
Frequently asked questions
Do home health aides need a license? BLS says some states require a license or certification, which may involve training, a background check and a competency exam. Agencies receiving federal funds have additional requirements.
What is the difference between a home health aide and a personal care aide? Per BLS, home health aides may take vital signs or help with medication under a nurse's direction, while personal care aides provide nonmedical services.
How much do home health and personal care aides make? BLS reports a median annual wage of $35,800 for home health and personal care aides (May 2025). Half of workers earned more and half earned less. Pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Is home health aide a good career? BLS projects 18 percent growth from 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average). About 760,500 openings are projected each year. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, so read the duties and work environment above.
Related guides
- Nursing Assistant: Duties, Pay, Training, Outlook
- What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse Do? Pay, Outlook
- What Does a Medical Assistant Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
- What Does a Registered Nurse Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Home health and personal care aides: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-and-personal-care-aides.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 31-1121.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-1121.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 31-1122.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-1122.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.