In 2020, one in six people in the United States were aged 65 years and over. From 2023 to 2024, the number of people aged 65 older rose by 3.1% to 61.2 million, while the population aged 18 and younger actually decreased by 0.2%.
The country’s aging population is steadily growing, and many of these older Americans wish to remain at home instead of moving out to a retirement village or a nursing home. This means that skilled, professional people are needed in the workforce to help care for this demographic who wish to maintain their independence as they age.
Whether you’re an employer seeking information on competitive staff wages, or a professional evaluating career opportunities, understanding which roles offer the strongest earning potential can be helpful.
In this article, we break down the top-paying positions in home care across the United States so you can make informed decisions backed by accurate and relevant salary data.
Highest paying home care roles
When considering which home-care profession pays the most, advanced-practice nursing roles generally offer the highest salaries.
1. Home health aide / personal care worker
What do they do? Home health aides, also referred to as personal care workers, assist clients with daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. These positions typically require a high school diploma and may involve brief on-the-job or agency-required training.
How much do home health aides / personal care workers earn? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for these roles is approximately $34,900. The job outlook for the next ten years is very positive, with high growth expected.
2. Home care registered nurse
What do they do? A home care registered nurse or home health registered nurse provides skilled nursing services in patients’ residences, including medication management, wound care, patient assessment, and coordination with physicians. To become a home care nurse you must obtain a degree, such as a Diploma of Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
How much do home care nurses earn? Salary.com states that home care nurses can expect to earn around $88,000; however, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the figure at about $93,000.
3. In-home nurse practitioners
What do they do? Nurse practitioners and other advanced practitioners provide a wide scope of professional skills to their in-home patients. This could include diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, and developing treatment plans.
Because of their highly specialized skillset, in-home nurse practitioners provide care for clients who require higher support than a home health aide or home care nurse cannot provide. An in-home nurse practitioner’s patients could include elderly clients with multiple chronic conditions, post-surgery patients who need wound care and follow-up assessments, or patients receiving palliative or hospice care.
All nurse practitioners begin as registered nurses. Then, they must complete additional nurse practitioner requirements such as obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
How much do nurse practitioners earn? An in-home nurse practitioner can expect to earn around $119,000, with the top percentile earning up to $134,000 per year.
What is the “best” home care salary?
When evaluating salaries in the home-care industry, it helps to consider both widespread earning opportunities and the ceiling for maximum compensation. Here’s how different roles compare.
For volume and consistency: Home care registered nurse
Registered nurses remain the backbone of professional home care, delivering skilled medical services such as wound management, medication administration, and ongoing patient assessments. Because of their essential role and widespread demand, becoming a registered nurse offers one of the most reliable career paths in home care.
While location, years of experience, and certifications may affect earnings, home care registered nurses generally provide the strongest blend of job availability and competitive pay.
For maximum earning potential: In-home nurse practitioners
Nurse practitioners in home settings earn some of the highest salaries in the field due to their advanced training and expanded clinical authority. NPs can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans, all without the need for constant physician oversight. This autonomy and advanced scope of care translate into significantly higher earnings.
For ongoing work with minimum qualifications: Personal care worker
Though compensation is lower than for licensed clinical roles, frontline caregivers play a critical role in the home-care workforce. When considering America’s aging population and the desire of many older adults to age in place, the role of personal care workers becomes essential. Plus, becoming a personal care worker does not require the time, effort and money needed to earn a diploma or bachelor’s degree.
The location and the employer are two factors that may affect the annual earning potential of this role. In high-cost areas or roles which require significant overtime, personal care workers could expect to earn more than the median salary of $34,900.
Are you looking to begin a career in home health care?
As America’s population continues to age, the demand for skilled and compassionate home care providers will only grow. From personal care workers who support daily living to nurse practitioners delivering complex medical care, each role plays a vital part in helping older adults remain independent, safe and healthy.
While these various roles can offer stability and high earning potential, there are risks to the job. That’s why many in-home healthcare workers choose to take out Professional Liability insurance. Professional Liability insurance can help to protect healthcare workers against claims related to professional errors and negligence.
If you’re thinking about a career as an in-home healthcare professional – whether you choose to work for an agency or strike out on your own – you may wish to consider insurance.
BizInsure makes it easy for you to find the right insurance to suit your needs. With insurance offerings from some of America’s leading insurance providers, you can quote, compare and buy your policy in minutes. Get a quote today with BizInsure.
