Trade Career Comparison

Which trade career fits you best?

Home Health Aide

Help people with disabilities, chronic illness, or cognitive impairment with daily living activities. Provide basic health-related services in patients' homes.

$34,900/yr median

$25,600$44,190

Much Faster Than AvgHeavyUnion: LowEntry: Low

Training Path

On-the-job training; some states require certification

Environment

Indoor/Outdoor

Outlook

Much Faster Than Avg (+17%)

BLS Code

31-1120

Pros

✓Lowest barrier to entry in healthcare — many positions require only a high school diploma and short-term training (75 hours federally), making this one of the most accessible career starting points available.
✓Explosive job growth at 17% projected over the next decade with roughly 765,800 annual openings — this is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the entire economy, driven by the aging Baby Boomer population.
✓Meaningful one-on-one relationships with clients — unlike hospital workers who see patients briefly, you often care for the same person for months or years, building genuine bonds that matter to both of you.
✓Flexible scheduling and independence — you typically work in clients' homes with minimal direct supervision, and agencies often let you choose shifts and clients that fit your life.
✓A direct path into healthcare for people who are caring by nature but may not have the resources for lengthy training programs. Many home health aides use this as a stepping stone to CNA, LPN, or RN careers.

Cons

✗Pay is low — the median is around $34,900 a year, and many aides earn closer to minimum wage. This is one of the most underpaid roles in healthcare relative to the physical and emotional demands of the work.
✗The work is physically demanding — you help clients bathe, dress, transfer from bed to wheelchair, and perform other activities of daily living. Back injuries from lifting and repositioning are common, and you are often working alone without help.
✗Emotional demands are significant. You care for people who are aging, declining, or dying. Watching a client you have grown close to deteriorate or pass away is painful, and the emotional support available to home health aides is often minimal.
✗Benefits are often poor or nonexistent — many home health aides work part-time or for agencies that provide minimal health insurance, no retirement benefits, and limited paid time off. You may need to work for multiple agencies to get enough hours.
✗Isolation is real — you work alone in clients' homes rather than with a team. There is no break room, no coworkers to lean on during a tough shift, and getting support or guidance often means calling a supervisor who is not on site.

What the Life Is Like

A home health aide's day is built around caring for clients in their homes. Depending on your caseload, you might visit 2-4 clients per day for a few hours each, or spend a full 8-12 hour shift with one client. Tasks include helping with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship, and accompanying clients to medical appointments. For clients with dementia or mobility limitations, the work requires patience, adaptability, and physical strength.

Schedules vary widely — some aides work consistent daytime hours, while others cover evenings, overnight shifts, or weekends. Travel between clients is part of the job, and you are typically not compensated for drive time, which is a real cost in terms of both time and gas money. The work environment is your client's home, which means every workplace is different — some are clean and well-equipped, others are challenging. You need to be adaptable.

The emotional dimension of this work is both the greatest reward and the greatest challenge. You become a constant in people's lives at their most vulnerable. Clients and their families often depend on you enormously, and the gratitude is genuine. But the flip side is real: watching decline, managing difficult family dynamics, and dealing with clients who may be frustrated or resistant to help. The best home health aides develop strong boundaries, practice self-care, and find community with others who understand the work. If you are considering this field, know that the pay does not reflect the value of what you do — but advocacy for better wages in home care is growing, and some states and agencies are improving compensation and benefits.

How to Get Started

Meet basic requirements

Most agencies require a high school diploma or GED, a clean background check, a valid driver's license with reliable transportation, and current CPR/First Aid certification. Some states have additional requirements, so check with your state health department.

Complete a state-approved training program (75+ hours)

Federal regulations require at least 75 hours of training including 16 hours of supervised practical training for aides working in certified home health agencies. Many agencies provide this training for free as part of onboarding. Community colleges and vocational schools also offer home health aide certificate programs. Training covers personal care skills, infection control, nutrition, communication, and recognizing changes in client condition.

Pass the competency evaluation

After training, you must pass a competency evaluation that includes both a written (or oral) exam and a skills demonstration. This verifies you can safely perform the personal care tasks required on the job. Your training program or employer will administer this.

Apply to home health agencies

Apply to multiple agencies in your area — large national chains, regional agencies, and smaller local providers all hire home health aides. Ask about pay rates, mileage reimbursement, benefits, scheduling flexibility, and supervision support. Some agencies pay significantly better than others. Medicaid waiver programs and veteran care programs sometimes offer higher rates.

Build experience and pursue advancement

After gaining experience, consider pursuing your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential, which opens up work in nursing facilities and hospitals at higher pay. From there, many aides continue to LPN or RN programs. Some home health aides specialize in dementia care, hospice support, or pediatric home care, which can command premium rates. Also look into state-specific programs — some states offer wage supplements, training bonuses, or career ladder programs for home care workers.

Felony Record & Licensing

Varies by State

Some states require background checks for home health aides. Violent or abuse-related convictions may disqualify. Many states allow petitions or have lookback periods.

Check your state's licensing board before enrolling in a program. Rules vary significantly.

Training Funding & Support

Pell Grants Are Available Again

As of July 2023, the FAFSA no longer asks about drug convictions. The FAFSA Simplification Act restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. If a past drug conviction kept you from financial aid before, you can apply again.

WIOA Workforce Funding

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds free job training, career counseling, and supportive services (transportation, work clothes, childcare) for people reentering the workforce. Contact your local American Job Center (careeronestop.org) to see what's available in your area.

Ban-the-Box & Fair Chance Hiring

Over 37 states and 150+ cities have "ban-the-box" or fair chance hiring laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Many require waiting until after an interview or conditional job offer. These laws are expanding rapidly — check your state's specific rules.

Licensing laws vary by state and change frequently. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always verify with your state's licensing board before enrolling in a training program.

Data last verified March 2026 · View sources

We verify our data against official sources. Verification dates show when we last checked — they do not guarantee the information is still current. Laws, rates, and thresholds can change at any time. Always confirm critical information at the official source or with a qualified professional.

National Employment Law Project (NELP) — Fair Chance Hiring

General trade accessibility levels for people with felony convictions — categorized as generally-accessible, varies-by-state, often-restricted, or highly-restricted

https://www.nelp.org/policy-issue/criminal-records-and-employment/

Verified March 2026

trade-schools.net — Jobs for Felons

Trade accessibility and reentry employment guidance for specific trades

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-felons

Verified March 2026

Hire Felons — Reentry Employment Guide

Employer reentry hiring policies and trade accessibility for people with felony convictions

https://www.hirefelons.org/

Verified March 2026

ASE — About ASE Testing

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.ase.com/certification-series/

Verified March 2026

OSHA — Powered Industrial Trucks

OSHA forklift certification — employer-provided, no criminal history screening

https://www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks

Verified March 2026

EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification

EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.epa.gov/section608

Verified March 2026

Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Simplification Act

Pell Grant eligibility restored for people with drug convictions and incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2023; PELL_GRANT_RESTORED_DATE: "July 2023"

FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. L. 117-103 (2021); 20 U.S.C. § 1070a

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-simplification

Verified March 2026

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — Ban the Box Legislation

Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities as of 2026; BAN_THE_BOX_STATE_COUNT: 37; BAN_THE_BOX_CITY_COUNT: 150

https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/ban-the-box-legislation

Verified March 2026

NELP — Ban the Box: U.S. Cities, Counties, and States

Fair chance hiring law coverage — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities; BAN_THE_BOX_PRIVATE_EMPLOYER_STATES: ["California", "Illinois", "New Jersey", "Washington"]

https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/

Verified March 2026

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)

WIOA Section 169 workforce funding for reentry — job training, career counseling, and supportive services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. § 3224; WIOA Sec. 169

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry

Verified March 2026

Legal Information Institute — 18 U.S.C. § 922

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — federal prohibition on felons possessing firearms, effectively barring law enforcement careers

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

Verified March 2026