Home Health and Personal Care Aides vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical Assistants professionals earn $9,300 more per year than Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals — that's 26.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Home Health and Personal Care Aides earns $44,190 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,600 – $44,190
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$25,600$57,830
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $35,020 | $-9,420 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,370 | $37,610 | $-7,240 |
| Median (50th) | $34,900 | $44,200 | $-9,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,980 | $48,160 | $-10,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,190 | $57,830 | $-13,640 |
| Mean (Average) | $34,990 | $44,720 | $-9,730 |
Employment Numbers
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
3,988,140
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Home Health and Personal Care Aides
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,690 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,790 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $39,520 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $38,360 |
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,300 (26.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $44,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,900.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Home Health and Personal Care Aides and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,988,140 Home Health and Personal Care Aides positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Home Health and Personal Care Aides has a median salary of $34,900 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS