Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Home health and personal care aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, but some positions do not require it. Those working in certified home health or hospice agencies may need to complete formal training or pass a standardized test. PayThe median annual wage for home health and personal care aides was $35,800 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 760,500 openings for home health and personal care aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for home health and personal care aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of home health and personal care aides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about home health and personal care aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for home health and personal care aides was $35,800 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 760,500 openings for home health and personal care aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for home health and personal care aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of home health and personal care aides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about home health and personal care aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 760,500 openings for home health and personal care aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for home health and personal care aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of home health and personal care aides with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about home health and personal care aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities.
Work Environment
Home health and personal care aides work in a variety of settings, including clients’ homes, group homes, and day services programs. Most aides work full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary.
How to Become a Home Health or Personal Care Aide
Home health and personal care aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, but some positions do not require it. Those working in certified home health or hospice agencies may need to complete formal training or pass a standardized test.
Pay
The median annual wage for home health and personal care aides was $35,800 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 760,500 openings for home health and personal care aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for home health and personal care aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of home health and personal care aides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about home health and personal care aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Home health and personal care aides work in a variety of settings, including clients’ homes, group homes, and day services programs. Most aides work full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary.
How to Become a Home Health or Personal Care Aide
Home health and personal care aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, but some positions do not require it. Those working in certified home health or hospice agencies may need to complete formal training or pass a standardized test.
Pay
The median annual wage for home health and personal care aides was $35,800 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 760,500 openings for home health and personal care aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for home health and personal care aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of home health and personal care aides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about home health and personal care aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for home health and personal care aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of home health and personal care aides with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about home health and personal care aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about home health and personal care aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.