Home Health Aides assist patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, and personal healthcare.  These patients are mainly elderly, chronically ill, older adults, disabled or convalescent people in a patient’s homes or a residential care facility.  The industries that have the highest levels of employment within this occupation are:

Home Health Care Services with 331,940 employed.  They make an hourly wage of $10.10, and earn an annual mean wage of $21,010.  Residential Mental Retardation, Mental Health and Substance Facilities have 186,400 employed. Hourly wages of $10.54 and an annual mean wage of $21,920.  Community Care Facilities for the Elderly has 144,090 employed with $9.99 hourly wage and $20,770 annual mean wage. Individual and Family Services has 125,020 employed with $9.91 with $20,620 in annual mean wage.  Nursing Care Facilities has 48,550 employed with $10.47 hourly wage and an annual mean wage of $21,770.

The top paying industries within this occupation consist of:

·         Other Investment Pools and Funds

·         Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals

·         Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services

·         Other Financial Investment Activities

·         Management of Companies and Enterprises

The training requirements do vary from each state along with the type of home services agencies, and funding source covering any services costs.  Many Home Health Aides work part-time, weekends, or evenings depending on the needs of the clients.  Home health aides and personal and home care aides have merged duties of caregivers and social service workers.  There are several related occupations such as child care workers, medical assistants, nursing and psychiatric aides, physical therapist assistants and aides, occupational therapist assistants and aides, and licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.