Home Health and Personal Care Aides vs. Medical Assistants: Who Earns More?
Medical Assistants out-earn Home Health and Personal Care Aides by $10K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Home Health and Personal Care Aides land at $35,800 and Medical Assistants at $45,690. The education gap is real: home health and personal care aide programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while medical assistant programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Home Health and Personal Care Aides is Washington ($47,730); for Medical Assistants it's Washington ($59,290).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Home Health and Personal Care Aides median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants earn more nationally. The median is $35,800 for Home Health and Personal Care Aides versus $45,690 for Medical Assistants, a difference of $10K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Medical Assistants?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides has the better 10-year outlook at 17% projected growth, compared to 12.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Medical Assistants?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Medical Assistants requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Home Health and Personal Care Aides get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Home Health and Personal Care Aides at $47,730/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Home Health and Personal Care Aides vs. Medical Assistants pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Home Health and Personal Care Aides earn $47,730 vs. $59,290 for Medical Assistants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.