Each year, on the third Friday of February, we celebrate National Caregivers Day. Caregivers provide a range of services for different populations, including many who help people live their best lives.
By 2030, more than 1 in 5 people in the United States are expected to be ages 65 and older, and nearly 70% of all adults who reach age 65 will eventually require some type of long-term services and supports. As the need for long-term care services grows, so too will demand for the many occupations that provide these services.
We recognize that many caregivers in the U.S. are unpaid friends or family members. But here’s a look at several growing caregiver occupations that are employed in the home health care services industry.
These seven occupations held a total of 9.3 million jobs in 2021 and are projected to add 1.3 million by 2031. Of those 9.3 million jobs, nearly 1.3 million were in the home health care services industry in 2021. And over the 2021–31 decade, these caregiving occupations are projected to add 276,000 new jobs in the home health care services industry.
Total employment for most of these occupations is projected to grow faster than the 5.3% growth projected for all occupations from 2021 to 2031. The education typically required for entry ranges from a high school diploma to an advanced degree. Additionally, most had a median annual wage higher than the $45,760 median wage for all occupations in 2021.
If you’re interested in making a career of helping others, one of these occupations might be right for you!
Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities.
Number of jobs, 2021: 3,636,900
Projected growth, 2021–31: 25.4% (Much faster than average)
Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 711,700
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
2021 annual median pay: $29,430
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
Number of jobs, 2021: 3,130,600
Projected growth, 2021–31: 6.2% (As fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 203,200
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
2021 annual median pay: $77,600
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses provide basic nursing care.
Number of jobs, 2021: 657,200
Projected growth, 2021–31: 6.3% (As fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 58,800
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
2021 annual median pay: $48,070
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living.
Number of jobs, 2021: 1,343,700
Projected growth, 2021–31: 4.7% (As fast as average)
Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 212,700
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
2021 annual median pay: $30,310
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
Number of jobs, 2021: 238,800
Projected growth, 2021–31: 16.9% (Much faster than average)
Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 15,400
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
2021 annual median pay: $95,620
Healthcare social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
Number of jobs, 2021: 179,500
Projected growth, 2021–31: 11.1% (Much faster than average)
Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 19,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
2021 annual median pay: $60,840
Occupational therapists use techniques for building daily living skills to treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities.
Number of jobs, 2021: 133,900
Projected growth, 2021–31: 13.9% (Much faster than average)
Occupational openings, 2021–31 annual average: 10,100
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
2021 annual median pay: $85,570
Explore these and hundreds of other occupations in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Dustin Riles and Emily Rolen are economists at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Follow BLS on Twitter at @BLS_gov.
