Occupational Therapy Aides vs. Home Health and Personal Care Aides: Who Earns More?
Occupational Therapy Aides out-earn Home Health and Personal Care Aides by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Occupational Therapy Aides land at $39,160 and Home Health and Personal Care Aides at $35,800. The education gap is real: occupational therapy aide programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while home health and personal care aide programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Occupational Therapy Aides is North Carolina ($66,190); for Home Health and Personal Care Aides it's Washington ($47,730).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Occupational Therapy Aides median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Occupational Therapy Aides or Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Occupational Therapy Aides earn more nationally. The median is $39,160 for Occupational Therapy Aides versus $35,800 for Home Health and Personal Care Aides, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Occupational Therapy Aides or Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides has the better 10-year outlook at 17% projected growth, compared to 2.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Occupational Therapy Aides or Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Occupational Therapy Aides typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Home Health and Personal Care Aides requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Occupational Therapy Aides get paid the most?
North Carolina is the top-paying state for Occupational Therapy Aides at $66,190/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Occupational Therapy Aides vs. Home Health and Personal Care Aides pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Occupational Therapy Aides earn $46,220 vs. $39,620 for Home Health and Personal Care Aides. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.