Four million workers served as home health and personal care aides in May 2024, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released on April 2. This made the occupation the largest overall in the United States that month. 
 
Of the 10 largest occupations, eight — including home health and personal care aides — had below-average pay. The mean wage for home health and personal care aides was $16.82 hourly or $34,990 annually. By comparison, the average salary for all occupations was $32.66 per hour or $67,920 annually. 
 
The next largest occupation after home health and personal care aides was a tie between fast food and counter workers and retail salespersons. Each had 3.8 million workers.