Home Health Aide vs Home Care Aide: Key Differences
Oct 27, 2026
Updated October 2026. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Training rules: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
Short answer: A home health aide (HHA) provides personal care and some basic health-related help, usually as part of a care plan and under a nurse or other provider. A home care aide, also called a personal care aide or caregiver, provides non-medical help with daily living and companionship. Job titles vary by employer, so read the duties in each job posting. In Florida, home health aides are not licensed or certified by a state agency, but the agencies that employ them must follow state training rules.
The roles of Home Health Aides and Home Care Aides, though they are different titles, share a common thread of providing essential support to individuals in need of assistance within the comfort of their homes.
Despite their overarching similarities in responsibilities, an exploration into these caregiving roles reveals nuanced differences. An analysis based on information gathered from job portals during our research highlights a crucial distinguishing factor: salary.
What is a home health aide?
A Home Health Aide (HHA) is a professional who provides personal care and assistance to individuals in their homes, typically under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or other healthcare provider. HHAs play a crucial role in supporting individuals who need help with daily activities due to age, illness, injury, or disability.
If you're interested in pursuing this fulfilling career, it's essential to understand how to become a home health aide, including the necessary training and certification requirements
BLS counts home health aides and personal care aides together as one occupation, so it does not report a separate figure for home care aides. In May 2025, the median was $16.40 an hour ($34,110 a year) in the Orlando area and $16.25 an hour ($33,800 a year) in Florida. See our guide to home health aide salary in Florida for more detail.
What is a home care aide?
A Home Care Aide, also known as a personal care aide or caregiver, provides non-medical assistance to individuals in their homes. Their primary focus is on supporting daily living activities and ensuring the well-being of their clients, rather than providing medical care.
What’s the difference between home health aide vs home care aide
The table below compares the two roles.
| Aspect | Home health aide (HHA) | Home care aide (personal care aide) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of care | Personal care and some basic health-related help | Non-medical help with daily living and companionship |
| Supervision | Typically works under a registered nurse or other healthcare provider | Focuses on daily living and well-being rather than medical care |
| Typical tasks | Help with daily activities because of age, illness, injury or disability | Personal hygiene, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping and companionship |
| Training in Florida | State-licensed agencies can use at least 40 hours of training, at least 75 hours, or the AHCA competency test; Medicare and Medicaid agencies follow 42 CFR 484.36 (AHCA) | Requirements are set by the employer |
| License or certification | Florida does not license or certify home health aides (AHCA) | Requirements are set by the employer |
| Pay (BLS, May 2025) | BLS reports home health aides and personal care aides together: median $16.25 an hour in Florida and $16.40 in Orlando | Same BLS occupation, see the salary section below |
Salary comparison between home health aide vs. home care aide
BLS counts home health aides and personal care aides together as one occupation, so it does not report a separate figure for home care aides. In May 2025, these workers earned:
| Area (May 2025) | Employment | Median hourly | Median annual | Lowest 10% (annual) | Highest 10% (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 8,260 | $16.40 | $34,110 | $30,290 | $37,670 |
| Florida | 90,170 | $16.25 | $33,800 | $30,660 | $38,310 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Home Health and Personal Care Aides (SOC 31-1120), May 2025.
Factors influencing pay
BLS does not publish pay by job title within this occupation. Pay depends on the employer, the setting, your experience and your shift.
Job growth between home health aide vs. home care aide
According to BLS projections for 2022 to 2032, employment in these occupations is set to grow by 22% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for healthcare services, particularly for older people who require assistance with daily activities.
On average, there are projected to be about 684,600 job openings for home health and personal care aides each year over the next decade. These openings will arise from a combination of new job creation and the need to replace workers who leave the field or retire. (BLS, 2022 to 2032 projection.)
Home health aide vs home care aide FAQs
What is the difference between a home health aide and a home care aide?
A home health aide provides personal care and some basic health-related help under a nurse or other provider. A home care aide provides non-medical help with daily living and companionship.
What is an HHA?
HHA stands for home health aide: a professional who provides personal care and assistance to people in their homes because of age, illness, injury or disability.
Do you need a certification to be a home health aide in Florida?
Florida does not license or certify home health aides, according to AHCA. Agencies must make sure aides have completed the required training or passed the competency test, so ask the agency what it requires.
Is a home care aide the same as a caregiver?
Often, yes. A home care aide is also called a personal care aide or caregiver, and provides non-medical help with daily living.
How much do home health aides make in Orlando?
BLS reports a median of $16.40 an hour ($34,110 a year) for home health and personal care aides in the Orlando area (May 2025).
