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Healthcare

Personal Care Aides

Provide personalized assistance to individuals with disabilities or illness who require help with personal care and activities of daily living support (e.g., feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation). May also provide help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry. Work is performed in various settings depending on the needs of the care recipient and may include locations such as their home, place of work, out in the community, or at a daytime nonresidential facility.

Median salary (BLS)

$35,800

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$27k – $45k

Job outlook

+17% (much faster than average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$200–$1,150

Time to qualify

8 mo

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    High school diploma or GED

    Course

    Expected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.

    $0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    On-the-job training

    Experience

    Employer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.

    Cost varies · 3 months source

  3. 3

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Personal Care Aides" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Personal Care Aides

    Entry / Junior

    $27,040

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Personal Care Aides

    Established

    $35,800

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Personal Care Aides

    Senior

    $40,420

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Prepare and maintain records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor.
  • •Administer bedside or personal care, such as ambulation or personal hygiene assistance.
  • •Perform healthcare-related tasks, such as monitoring vital signs and medication, under the direction of registered nurses or physiotherapists.
  • •Participate in case reviews, consulting with the team caring for the client, to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services.
  • •Instruct or advise clients on issues, such as household cleanliness, utilities, hygiene, nutrition, or infant care.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.