Mid-Level

Health Care Aide

Health care aides provide basic personal care to patients — typically in homes or facilities — helping with bathing, dressing, mobility, and daily living.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
S
R
C
I
E
A
Socialhelping, teaching
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Health Care Aides
Employment concentration · ~387 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Health Care Aide

A typical day involves rotating between patients or clients for personal care, light housekeeping, and companionship. Documentation runs alongside the hands-on work.

Collaboration involves patients, families, nurses, and case managers. What's harder than expected is the physical and emotional demands — care work involves lifting, intimate care, and being present for hard moments.

Those who thrive tend to be patient, physically capable, and emotionally grounded. If you find satisfaction in caring for people through their daily lives, the role often feels deeply meaningful.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
IndependenceLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Health Care Aides (SOC 31-1131.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Health Care Aide career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$31K–$50K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
1.4M
U.S. Employment
+2.3%
10yr Growth
204K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$71K$68K$65K$62K201920202021202220232024$62K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Service OrientationSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningMonitoringCoordinationReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
31-1131.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.