Personal Care Aides
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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.
Sample of reported job titles: Caregiver, Home Care Aide, Medication Aide, Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Personal Care Aide, Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Resident Care Assistant (RCA)
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Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks
All 11 displayed- Administer bedside or personal care, such as ambulation or personal hygiene assistance.
- Prepare and maintain records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor.
- 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.
- Care for individuals or families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, or help in adjusting to new lifestyles.
- Perform housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or dishes, or running errands.
- Instruct or advise clients on issues, such as household cleanliness, utilities, hygiene, nutrition, or infant care.
- Plan, shop for, or prepare nutritious meals or assist families in planning, shopping for, or preparing nutritious meals.
- Transport clients to locations outside the home, such as to physicians’ offices or on outings, using a motor vehicle.
- Provide clients with communication assistance, typing their correspondence or obtaining information for them.
- Train family members to provide bedside care.
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Technology Skills
All 9 displayed Show 36 tools used- Calendar and scheduling software — August Systems Visit Wizard
- Computer based training software — Appletree
- Data base reporting software — Mi-Co Mi-Forms
- Electronic mail software — Email software; Voltage SecureMail
- Medical software — MEDITECH software
- Optical character reader OCR or scanning software — Computer reading software
- Spreadsheet software
- Video conferencing software — FaceTime
- Word processing software
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
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Knowledge
All 3 displayed- Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Skills
All 10 displayed- Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
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Abilities
5 of 11 displayed- Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Work Activities
All 13 displayed- Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Detailed Work Activities
All 11 displayed- Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
- Document client health or progress.
- Maintain client information or service records.
- Monitor health or behavior of people or animals.
- Develop plans for programs or services.
- Provide counsel, comfort, or encouragement to individuals or families.
- Prepare foods or meals.
- Drive vehicles to transport patrons.
- Perform housekeeping duties.
- Teach health or hygiene practices.
- Assist individuals with special needs.
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Work Context
All 23 displayed- Physical Proximity — 68% responded “Very close (near touching).”
- Contact With Others — 70% responded “Constant contact with others.”
- Work With Work Group or Team — 68% responded “Extremely important.”
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 51% responded “Extremely important.”
- Face-to-Face Discussions — 52% responded “Every day.”
- Spend Time Standing — 47% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
- Structured versus Unstructured Work — 42% responded “A lot of freedom.”
- Telephone — 44% responded “Every day.”
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 60% responded “Very important results.”
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 66% responded “Every day.”
- Frequency of Decision Making — 60% responded “Every day.”
- Spend Time Walking and Running — 42% responded “More than half the time.”
- Responsible for Others’ Health and Safety — 52% responded “Very high responsibility.”
- Freedom to Make Decisions — 32% responded “A lot of freedom.”
- Time Pressure — 39% responded “Every day.”
- Coordinate or Lead Others — 35% responded “Extremely important.”
- Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body — 36% responded “More than half the time.”
- Exposed to Disease or Infections — 54% responded “Every day.”
- Consequence of Error — 38% responded “Extremely serious.”
- Letters and Memos — 36% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 29% responded “Important.”
- Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 48% responded “High responsibility.”
- Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 26% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Job Zone
| Title | Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed |
| Education | These occupations usually require a high school diploma. |
| Related Experience | Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public. |
| Job Training | Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
| Job Zone Examples | These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers. |
| SVP Range | (4.0 to < 6.0) |
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Education
 Percentage of Respondents |
Education Level Required |
|---|---|
54   |
High school diploma or equivalent
 |
| 17 |
Less than high school diploma |
| 17 |
Some college, no degree |
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Credentials
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Interests
All 3 displayedInterest code: SRC Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.
- Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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Work Styles
All 16 displayed- Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
- Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
- Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
- Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
- Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
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Work Values
All 3 displayed- Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
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Related Occupations
All 10 displayed| 31-1121.00 | Home Health Aides  Bright Outlook |
| 31-2012.00 | Occupational Therapy Aides |
| 31-2022.00 | Physical Therapist Aides |
| 33-9092.00 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers |
| 39-4021.00 | Funeral Attendants |
| 39-9011.00 | Childcare Workers |
| 41-2012.00 | Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers |
| 51-3011.00 | Bakers |
| 53-3011.00 | Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians |
| 53-6061.00 | Passenger Attendants |
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Wages & Employment Trends
Median wage data for Home Health and Personal Care Aides.
Employment data for Home Health and Personal Care Aides.
Industry data for Home Health and Personal Care Aides.
| Median wages (2020) | $13.02 hourly, $27,080 annual |
| State wages | |
| Local wages | |
| Employment (2020) | 3,470,700 employees |
| Projected growth (2020-2030) |  Much faster than average (15% or higher) |
| Projected job openings (2020-2030) | 599,800 |
| State trends | |
| Top industries (2020) |
Health Care and Social Assistance
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data 
and 2020-2030 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
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Job Openings on the Web
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Sources of Additional Information
All 6 displayedDisclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
- American Society on Aging
- Home Care Association of America
- National Association for Home Care and Hospice
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Home health and personal care aides
- PHI
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