Home Health Aides
Home health aides monitor individuals with disabilities or illnesses and help meet their health-related needs, such as changing bandages, dressing wounds, and administering medication. They work in clients' homes under the direction of licensed nursing staff who may be offsite or present intermittently. The role involves both medical and personal care tasks.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against home health aides and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves visiting multiple clients in their homes to perform health-related tasks and personal care. Tasks include wound care, medication reminders, bathing and dressing assistance, and monitoring vital signs. Aides coordinate with nursing staff about client progress and document care provided. Work schedules vary based on client needs and may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends.
Who this work suits
Holland code SRC. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
This work suits people who enjoy helping others and have practical problem-solving skills. You'll do well if you're comfortable with hands-on medical tasks, reliable in managing multiple clients, and able to work independently with remote supervision.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Social Worker (Program Coordinator)-HHA · Veterans Health Administration · San Bruno, California · $126164–$164017
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $44,620 | $47,730 | $48,630 | 103,260 |
| Oregon | $39,400 | $44,410 | $48,360 | 42,330 |
| Rhode Island | $38,470 | $43,680 | $45,690 | 7,490 |
| District of Columbia | $40,050 | $42,700 | $43,270 | 12,810 |
| Vermont | $36,120 | $41,600 | $46,410 | 7,700 |
| Massachusetts | $39,650 | $40,910 | $43,740 | 117,940 |
| Alaska | $36,640 | $39,740 | $44,340 | 6,530 |
| New York | $38,660 | $39,620 | $43,780 | 663,140 |
| North Dakota | $37,110 | $39,440 | $45,800 | 7,730 |
| Connecticut | $35,510 | $38,990 | $44,240 | 49,510 |
| New Hampshire | $36,190 | $38,760 | $45,270 | 9,440 |
| Maine | $36,580 | $38,580 | $43,660 | 18,630 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) — National Center for Competency Testing
- Medication Aide Certification (MACE) — National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against home health aides and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 31-1121.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.