Career comparison
Childcare Worker vs. Home Health Aide
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Home health aides earn more at the median ($35,800 vs. $34,980), while childcare workers usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of required training of training). Childcare workers care for children’s safety, learning and daily needs. 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
| Childcare Worker | Home Health Aide | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $34,980 ($16.82/hr) | $35,800 ($17.21/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $24,260 – $46,010 | $27,040 – $45,040 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.0% (a projected decline) | +18.1% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 150,300 | 760,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks of required training | 2–6 weeks |
| Key credential | CPR and pediatric first aid | Home health aide certificate |
| Work setting | Childcare workers work in centers, homes and schools. | Aides work in clients’ homes, apartments and assisted-living units. |
What each job does
Childcare Worker
- Supervise children and keep them safe
- Prepare meals and snacks
- Change diapers and help with toileting
- Lead play and learning activities
- Help children with naps and routines
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, physical work, and in-demand. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and healthcare, but share transferable skills such as patience and compassion and patience.
Which should you choose?
Choose childcare worker if…
- I love caring for children
- I’m patient
- I can handle messes
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 Childcare Worker fit quiz and the Home Health Aide fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, childcare worker or home health aide?
Home Health Aides earn more at the median: $35,800 versus $34,980 for childcare workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Childcare Workers typically train faster (1–4 weeks of required training) than home health aides (2–6 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects home health aides to grow +18.1% from 2025–35, compared with -2.0% for childcare workers.