Home Health Aides
SOC Code: 31-1121 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Monitor the health status of an individual with disabilities or illness, and address their health-related needs, such as changing bandages, dressing wounds, or administering medication. Work is performed under the direction of offsite or intermittent onsite licensed nursing staff. Provide assistance with routine healthcare tasks or activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, or ambulation. May also help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry depending on the patient's abilities.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Home Health Aides. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | $25,854 | $36,317 | $46,758 | $57,221 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $42,349 | $45,261 | $48,173 | $51,085 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $40,539 | $43,597 | $46,634 | $49,691 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $40,290 | $43,306 | $46,322 | $49,338 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $36,171 | $40,539 | $44,907 | $49,275 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $36,941 | $40,997 | $45,032 | $49,088 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $42,162 | $44,470 | $46,758 | $49,067 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $40,539 | $43,368 | $46,197 | $49,026 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $39,562 | $42,682 | $45,822 | $48,942 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $39,624 | $42,661 | $45,698 | $48,734 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.5 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 | |
| Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.2 | |
| Speaking | 3.1 | |
| Instructing | 3.1 | |
| Persuasion | 3.1 | |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.6 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Psychology | 2.6 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.6 |
| Administration and Management | 2.5 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 2.4 |
| Telecommunications | 2.4 |
| Law and Government | 2.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 62.6% |
| Some college | 20.9% |
| Associate's degree | 8.8% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 7.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
- Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
- Provide patients and families with emotional support and instruction in areas such as caring for infants, preparing healthy meals, living independently, or adapting to disability or illness.
- Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
- Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.
- Direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.
- Check patients' pulse, temperature, and respiration.
- Perform a variety of duties as requested by client, such as obtaining household supplies or running errands.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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