⭐ Bright Outlook

Home Health Aides

O*NET 31-1121.00 · SOC 31-1121

Home Health Aide is a strong career choice. Median pay is $36k a year with +18.1% projected growth through 2035 (much faster than average) and about 760,500 openings a year. AI exposure: Low.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27

Projected Growth
+18.1%
2025–2035
Median Salary
$36k
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Annual Openings
761k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

What You'd Actually Do

  • →Assist clients with bathing, grooming, and personal hygiene at home
  • →Prepare and serve meals according to clients' dietary needs
  • →Help clients take prescribed medications at correct times
  • →Transport clients to medical appointments or grocery stores
  • →Monitor and report changes in clients' health or behavior

Education & How to Get In

🎓
Job Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

Home Health Aide roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.

See 50+ more jobs without a degree, ranked by growth →

Get Started Learning

Ready to start building skills for a career as a Home Health Aide? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.

Coursera
University-backed courses and certificates
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Udemy
Affordable self-paced courses from $12.99
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Skillshare
Creative and professional skill classes
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LinkedIn Learning
Professional development with certificates
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Work Environment

Primary Setting

People-facing, clinics, schools, or client sites

Work Style

Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients

A Day in the Life

While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Home Health Aide involves a mix of core responsibilities:

MorningAssist clients with bathing, grooming, and personal hygiene at home
MiddayPrepare and serve meals according to clients' dietary needs
AfternoonHelp clients take prescribed medications at correct times

Personality Fit (RIASEC)

Social (Helpers)6.3
Realistic (Doers)4.2
Conventional (Organizers)3.5
Investigative (Thinkers)3.2
Enterprising (Persuaders)1.8
Artistic (Creators)1.5

Who Thrives as Home Health Aide?

Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.

ISFJThe ProtectorESFJThe ProviderINFJThe GuideISTJThe Inspector

Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →

See Open Home Health Aide Roles

Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.

Indeed ↗LinkedIn Jobs ↗ZipRecruiter ↗

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Explore More Careers

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Job Outlook

Employment of Home Health Aides is projected to grow 18.1% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average for all occupations. The BLS flags this as a Bright Outlook occupation.

Will AI Replace This Job?

21/100Low risk, AI-resistant
  • ·44% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
  • ·Industry sector with low automation exposure
  • ·Strong projected growth suggests AI-complementary demand

Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.

Common Questions

How much does a Home Health Aide make?

The median Home Health Aide earns $36k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.

Will AI replace Home Health Aide jobs?

Our model puts Home Health Aide at 21 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is low risk, AI-resistant. The main drivers: 44% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace; industry sector with low automation exposure.

Is Home Health Aide a growing field?

Employment is projected to grow 18.1% between 2025 and 2035, which is much faster than average. That works out to roughly 760,500 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.

What degree do you need to be a Home Health Aide?

Most Home Health Aide roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.

How long does it take to become a Home Health Aide?

Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.

Is a Home Health Aide career right for you?

Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.

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