Career comparison
Certified Nursing Assistant vs. Home Health Aide
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Certified nursing assistants earn more at the median ($42,260 vs. $35,800), while home health aides usually get to work faster (2–6 weeks of training). Certified nursing assistants provide hands-on daily care to patients and residents under nurse supervision. Home health aides help older adults and people with disabilities live safely and comfortably at home.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Certified Nursing Assistant | Home Health Aide | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $42,260 ($20.32/hr) | $35,800 ($17.21/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,940 – $51,980 | $27,040 – $45,040 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.6% (about as fast as average) | +18.1% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 196,200 | 760,500 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–12 weeks | 2–6 weeks |
| Key credential | State CNA certification | Home health aide certificate |
| Work setting | CNAs work mainly in nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, assisted living and home health. | Aides work in clients’ homes, apartments and assisted-living units. |
What each job does
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Help patients bathe, dress, groom, eat and use the toilet
- Turn, reposition and transfer patients safely
- Measure and record vital signs, intake and output
- Observe and report changes in condition, skin or behavior to the nurse
- Make occupied and unoccupied beds and keep rooms clean and safe
Home Health Aide
- Assist clients with bathing, grooming, toileting and dressing
- Help clients move safely, including transfers and walking
- Prepare meals that follow the client’s diet plan
- Give medication reminders and record what was taken
- Check and record vital signs when the care plan calls for it
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, hands-on work, and physical work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose certified nursing assistant if…
- I’m comfortable helping people bathe and use the bathroom
- I have the physical stamina to lift, turn and walk all shift
- I’m patient with older adults and people with dementia
Choose home health aide if…
- I enjoy taking care of people
- I stay patient when someone needs a lot of help
- I’m comfortable with bathing and toileting tasks
Still torn? Take the Certified Nursing Assistant fit quiz and the Home Health Aide fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, certified nursing assistant or home health aide?
Certified Nursing Assistants earn more at the median: $42,260 versus $35,800 for home health aides, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Home Health Aides typically train faster (2–6 weeks) than certified nursing assistants (4–12 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects home health aides to grow +18.1% from 2025–35, compared with +2.6% for certified nursing assistants.