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Job outlook for home care attendants in the United States
Home care attendant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected home care attendant job growth rate is 36% from 2018-2028.
About 1,185,800 new jobs for home care attendants are projected over the next decade.
Home care attendant salaries have increased 26% for home care attendants in the last 5 years.
There are over 524,262 home care attendants currently employed in the United States.
There are 235,912 active home care attendant job openings in the US.
The average home care attendant salary is $26,059.
Are home care attendant jobs in demand?
Home care attendant job and salary trends over time
Home care attendant jobs over time
Home care attendant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 524,262 | 0.16% |
| 2020 | 97,578 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 1,042,563 | 0.31% |
| 2018 | 1,464,359 | 0.44% |
| 2017 | 1,427,966 | 0.43% |
Average home care attendant salary over time
Home care attendant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $26,059 | $12.53 | +7.2% |
| 2024 | $24,298 | $11.68 | +7.4% |
| 2023 | $22,630 | $10.88 | +4.0% |
| 2022 | $21,763 | $10.46 | +5.4% |
| 2021 | $20,651 | $9.93 | +4.5% |
Home care attendant jobs by state
Most common states for home care attendants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,498 | 35% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 372 | 35% |
| 3 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,571 | 29% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 208 | 28% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 172 | 28% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,860 | 27% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 856 | 27% |
| 8 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,838 | 26% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,467 | 26% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 251 | 26% |
| 11 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 179 | 26% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,025 | 25% |
| 13 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,583 | 24% |
| 14 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,493 | 24% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 325 | 24% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 140 | 24% |
| 17 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2,257 | 23% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,285 | 23% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 836 | 23% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 304 | 23% |
Most common cities for home care attendants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utica | 2 | 3% | $28,338 |
| 2 | Anderson | 1 | 2% | $24,168 |
| 3 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $20,567 |
| 4 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $28,612 |
| 5 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $27,932 |
| 6 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $20,540 |
| 7 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $29,474 |
Home Care Attendant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of home care attendant experts
Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
Springfield College
Penny Ridenour
Dean of School of Health SciencesOklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Home Care Attendant?
Penny Ridenour: In order to maximize your earnings, flexibility is key to fit the niche the employer needs. Intentionally accept assignments that will allow growth in a specialization. If possible, ask to shadow other professionals proficient in the specialization you desire.
What Home Care Attendant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Penny Ridenour: To differentiate yourself from the other new professionals entering healthcare after graduation, pay attention to the soft skills employers are looking for. Listening, empathy, and communication skills polish professional persona. Also, developing skills in resiliency will equip new professionals for a growing career in healthcare.
What will help Home Care Attendants increase their earning potential?
Penny Ridenour: It is important to be committed to lifelong learning as healthcare is innovative and dynamic. Technological proficiency will be vital in adapting to any new changes in the field.
Megan Harvey Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Health ScienceSpringfield College
School of Health Sciences
What skills stand out on Home Care Attendant resumes?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: Students who plan to go into the health care field need to have both determination and thick skin and the ability to be empathic and understand their patients. We've seen the way health care professionals are being treated change, even just in the past 5 years. It can be a hard balance to walk for health care professionals, to be both firm about evidence-based practice and empathetic and kind to their patients, but it's really the only way to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. I imagine that showing that you have worked in challenging health care situations is one way to show that you're developing this skill on your resume.
What soft skills should all Home Care Attendants possess?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: Problem-solving is such an important skill. We need health care providers who think for themselves and attempt to answer their own questions, AND - that know how to balance that with asking for help when they need it.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Home Care Attendants?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: Understanding documentation and electronic medical records are a must-have in health care these days!
What skills will help Home Care Attendants earn the most?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: The highest earners are probably those who know how to set themselves apart from their peers and who are warm and approachable to their patients. You can't fake being a good health care provider, and you won't be a high earner in this field unless you're good at what you do. There's no shortcut for putting the time and effort in that it takes to truly care about getting the best outcome possible for your patient.