Home Health and Personal Care Aides Salary 2025: $35,800 Median, 17% Growth
Home health and personal care aides earn a median salary of $35,800 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 estimates. That's about $17 an hour, with the typical range running from $27,040 at the 10th percentile to $45,040 at the 90th. With 4.3 million workers, this is one of the largest occupations in the country, and it's getting bigger fast.
How much Home Health and Personal Care Aides earn
The median annual wage for home health and personal care aides is $35,800. That's the midpoint: half earn more, half earn less. The bottom 10% make around $27,040, while the top 10% bring in up to $45,040. The mean (average) wage is $36,120, or roughly $17 per hour.
Pay varies by employer type. Aides working for home health care services tend to earn slightly more than those employed by individual families or residential care facilities. Experience can also boost earnings, especially for those who specialize in caring for clients with complex needs.
Pay by state
Where you work matters a lot for this job. The highest-paying state is Washington, with an average annual wage of $47,730. Oregon comes next at $44,410, followed by Rhode Island ($43,680), the District of Columbia ($42,700), and Vermont ($41,600).
At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest-paying states are in the South: Texas averages $24,230, Mississippi $23,860, and Louisiana just $22,520. That's a gap of more than $25,000 between the top and bottom states.
How to become Home Health and Personal Care Aide
This is one of the easiest healthcare jobs to enter. Most states require no formal education beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training is standard, often provided by the employer.
Some states require certification or a state registry, especially if you work with clients who receive Medicaid. Typically, you'll need to complete a training program (often 40-75 hours) and pass a competency exam. CPR certification is often required too.
The steps are straightforward: get a high school diploma, complete any required state training, and apply to home health agencies, hospice organizations, or directly to families. Many employers will help you get certified if needed.
- High school diploma or equivalent
- State-required training (if applicable) — typically 40-75 hours
- CPR and first aid certification (often required by employers)
- Pass a background check and drug screening
- On-the-job training from employer (usually a few weeks)
Job outlook
The BLS projects employment for home health and personal care aides will grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. That translates to about 765,800 job openings each year over the decade. Most openings come from the need to replace workers who leave the field.
Demand is driven by the aging baby-boom population and a preference for home-based care. As more seniors choose to age in place, the need for aides continues to surge.
Frequently asked questions
Do home health aides need a license or certification?
Requirements vary by state. Many states require home health aides to complete a training program (often 40-75 hours) and pass a competency exam to be on a state registry. Personal care aides usually have less strict requirements. Always check your state's health department rules.
What is the difference between a home health aide and a personal care aide?
Home health aides typically provide basic medical care (like checking vital signs) and work under a nurse or therapist. Personal care aides focus on non-medical help like bathing, dressing, and housekeeping. Both roles are often grouped together in salary data.
Can you live on $35,800 a year as a home health aide?
It depends on your location and household size. $35,800 is near the national median household income for a single person, but housing costs vary widely. In low-cost areas, it's doable; in high-cost states like Washington, the higher average pay helps.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Home Health and Personal Care Aides data.