Post job

What is a restorative aide and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

Restorative aides are responsible for helping patients recover physical, emotional, and mental health by providing rehabilitation care. They assist the patients with exercises that improve the use of limbs and body functions. They also assist patients with transfers, walking, strength training, and range-of-motion exercises. Restorative aides follow a patient care plan suited for each patient and earn an average salary of $30,000 annually or $14 per hour.

Restorative aides are certified nurse assistants who have specialized training in restorative care. Their duties include helping patients increase their strength and mobility by administering exercises designed by the nursing or rehabilitation department where the patients belong. They document service and changes in the patient's conditions, assisting patients with dressing or grooming.

Restorative aides typically hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Most of them already have a certified nurse assistant license with some months of on-the-job experience. They are expected to build relationships with the patients and team and communicate well with people, which means they need to have sound people and communication skills to succeed.

ScoreRestorative AideUS Average
Salary
2.4

Avg. Salary $31,126

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.5

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.76%

Asian 7.59%

Black or African American 9.62%

Hispanic or Latino 12.66%

Unknown 4.67%

White 64.71%

Gender

female 84.16%

male 15.84%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Restorative aide career paths

Key steps to become a restorative aide

  1. Explore restorative aide education requirements

    Most common restorative aide degrees

    High School Diploma

    27.5 %

    Certificate

    22.0 %

    Associate

    21.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific restorative aide skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients31.19%
    Rehabilitation24.46%
    Strength Training6.26%
    Body Functions5.69%
    Care Plan4.40%
  3. Complete relevant restorative aide training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New restorative aides learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a restorative aide based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real restorative aide resumes.
  4. Gain additional restorative aide certifications

    Restorative aide certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific restorative aide certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for restorative aides include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research restorative aide duties and responsibilities

    • Recognize by physicians for ability to meticulously prepare patient's chest and attach leads to obtain excellent quality EKG tracings.
    • Administer CPR when need, take vital signs and dietary care.
    • Assist patients with operating mechanical devices; such as crutches, canes, prostheses, walkers and wheelchairs.
    • Perform ADL programs, therapeutic exercise and gait training, also in-service nursing and family members of residents.
  6. Prepare your restorative aide resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your restorative aide resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a restorative aide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable restorative aide resume templates

    Build a professional restorative aide resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your restorative aide resume.
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
    Restorative Aide Resume
  7. Apply for restorative aide jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a restorative aide job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first restorative aide job

Zippi

Are you a restorative aide?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average restorative aide salary

The average restorative aide salary in the United States is $31,126 per year or $15 per hour. Restorative aide salaries range between $25,000 and $38,000 per year.

Average restorative aide salary
$31,126 Yearly
$14.96 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do restorative aides rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Restorative aide reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023
Pros

Very fulfilling and rewarding

Cons

Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

The ability to show care, love & compassion to those whom have none or family can't give time to show any. It's like being the missing piece to a puzzle we all if lucky enough get to live long enough to experience. It's making someones day by just remembering to watch their hands and face before/ after meals. To give proper attention to teeth, to let dressing am or pm still br a choice they make. I know im a good human with an oversized caring heart and although sometimes its exhausting working extra hrs or having to do all or extra work on short staffed days it's worth it. And slow and steady wins the day. They are people whom have gone through & experienced more then we will ever get too.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Talking to the patients


Working as a restorative aide? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse healthcare support jobs