Home Health and Personal Care Aides vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $58,700 more per year than Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals — that's 168.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Home Health and Personal Care Aides earns $44,190 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,600 – $44,190
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$25,600$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $66,030 | $-40,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,370 | $78,610 | $-48,240 |
| Median (50th) | $34,900 | $93,600 | $-58,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,980 | $107,960 | $-69,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,190 | $135,320 | $-91,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $34,990 | $98,430 | $-63,440 |
Employment Numbers
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
3,988,140
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $58,700 (168.2% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Home Health and Personal Care Aides and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,988,140 Home Health and Personal Care Aides positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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