Home Health & Personal Care Aide
Healthcare · $35,800 median · ~2 weeks–3 months training · Structurally WPE-eligible
How we know this
The wage and outlook figures are verified against the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS/OOH 2025), last reviewed August 25, 2026. We show our sources so you can check every number yourself.
Honest tradeoffs
The lowest pay here, and the fastest growth
Enormous demand and almost no barrier to entry, but the pay is the lowest in this corpus, hours are often part-time or split shifts, and mileage between clients is frequently unpaid. Most people treat it as a way in - to CNA, then LPN - rather than a destination.
Wages
Earnings by career stage
range · estimatedResearched estimates by experience level, setting, and region — see the full breakdown below. The BLS median is the one figure verified directly against bls.gov.
Pay by stage & setting
- New aide $27-33K
- Experienced $33-39K
- Care coordinator or CNA step-up $40-50K. The agency, the state Medicaid rate and whether travel time is paid matter more than years of experience.
Workforce Pell eligibility
This path's typical training duration fits under the federal Workforce Pell 599-hour cap. State approval status varies — check the Workforce Pell tracker.
Open the Workforce Pell tracker →Training
Cost vs. payoff
- Training cost
- Free–$1,500
- Training pays for itself in
- about 2 weeks
The low end is the cheapest route in — a paid apprenticeship, community college, or employer-paid program (sometimes free); the high end is a private or for-profit school. The range is about which route you take, not extra certifications.
Getting started — your first moves
- 1
Start training
Complete a short training program — about 2 weeks to the basics.
- 2
Get hired and grow
Land an entry role and start building experience — pay climbs as you move up the career ladder above.
See it where you live
The figures above are national. Pay and programs vary a lot by state — pick yours and we'll send you straight to the official local data, no guessing.
Career ladder
New aide
Entry$31,000Experienced aide
Year 3$36,000Coordinator or CNA route
Year 6$44,000
In your state
State licensure
Licensure is required in most states, but the verified per-state list is still pending — check your state licensing board before enrolling. See “Data limitations” below.
Data limitations
- • The wage figures come from BLS. Training length, cost, and the pay figures on the career ladder are researched estimates - treat them as a guide, not a quote.
- • We have not compiled which states license this job yet. Check your state board before you enroll.
Common questions
How much does a Home Health & Personal Care Aide make?
The median wage is $35,800 per year (BLS OEWS 2025). Most earn between $27,040 and $45,040. Actual pay varies by region, employer, and experience.
How long does it take to become a Home Health & Personal Care Aide?
Typical training runs about 2 weeks. This is a non-degree path — no four-year college degree is required.
Do you need a college degree to become a Home Health & Personal Care Aide?
No. Home Health & Personal Care Aide is a non-degree career path — you qualify through training, certification, and/or on-the-job experience rather than a four-year degree.
Is Home Health & Personal Care Aide eligible for Workforce Pell funding?
Structurally, yes — the typical program length fits the federal Workforce Pell hour cap. Whether you can actually use it depends on your state approving the specific program, so check the Workforce Pell tracker.
Do you need a license to work as a Home Health & Personal Care Aide?
Licensure is required in most states, but the exact per-state list is still being verified. Check your state licensing board before you enrol.
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