How to Become A Home Health Aide in California
California employs approximately 970,150 home health aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,320 1. The state’s concentration of home health aide jobs is 1.92x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, home health aide employment is projected to grow 17.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 765,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a home health aide in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Home Health Aide in California
How do I become a home health aide in California? California requires credentials such as Home Health Aide Certification. The licensing authority is the Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 2 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California has licensing or registration requirements for home health aides. The Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home health aides earn in California? The median annual wage for home health aides in California is $34,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,320 and experienced professionals can earn $39,260 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section
- Median wage (California): $34,320 per year 1
Home Health Aide License Requirements in California
The Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section oversees home health aide licensing in California 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Home Health Aide Certification | Fees: $0 fee for initial and renewal certification. Examination Frequency: N/A Exam Locations: N/A Experience Requirement: Completion of an approved CDPH Home Health Aide training program. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Health Aide Wages by Metro Area in California
Home Health and Personal Care Aides Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), home health and personal care aides wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 385,530 | $34,320 | $35,890 | $34,320 | $38,010 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 119,120 | $35,950 | $38,810 | $35,950 | $44,820 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 102,760 | $34,320 | $35,430 | $34,320 | $36,770 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 60,350 | $34,320 | $35,770 | $34,320 | $38,240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 57,080 | $35,300 | $36,830 | $34,940 | $40,850 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 49,610 | $37,640 | $39,360 | $37,600 | $44,870 |
| Fresno | 33,580 | $34,320 | $35,000 | $34,320 | $36,050 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 17,270 | $34,320 | $35,190 | $34,320 | $36,300 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 15,250 | $34,320 | $37,190 | $34,320 | $42,790 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 12,580 | $34,320 | $35,710 | $34,320 | $38,130 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 10,150 | $36,850 | $38,400 | $36,060 | $44,370 |
| Modesto | 9,160 | $34,320 | $35,780 | $34,320 | $38,890 |
| Visalia | 8,220 | $34,320 | $35,120 | $34,320 | $36,210 |
| El Centro | 8,020 | $34,320 | $34,540 | $34,320 | $34,320 |
| Vallejo | 7,850 | $34,320 | $37,200 | $34,320 | $45,720 |
| Salinas | 6,740 | $34,320 | $35,570 | $34,320 | $38,660 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 6,470 | $34,320 | $36,960 | $34,320 | $44,080 |
| Chico | 5,940 | $34,320 | $35,580 | $34,320 | $38,100 |
| Redding | 5,500 | $34,320 | $35,330 | $34,320 | $36,300 |
| Merced | 4,990 | $34,320 | $34,980 | $34,320 | $36,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 4,470 | $34,320 | $37,720 | $34,320 | $45,560 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 4,160 | $34,320 | $36,720 | $34,320 | $43,040 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 3,250 | $34,320 | $34,580 | $34,320 | $34,320 |
| Yuba City | 3,120 | $34,320 | $35,140 | $34,320 | $37,210 |
| Napa | 2,900 | $34,320 | $40,520 | $34,320 | $48,360 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Home health aides in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home health aide employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 385,530 | $34,320 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 119,120 | $35,950 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 102,760 | $34,320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 60,350 | $34,320 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 57,080 | $35,300 |
Explore More Trades in California
- Electrician in California
- Plumber in California
- HVAC Technician in California
- Welder in California
- Carpenter in California
- Solar Installation Technician in California
- Auto Mechanic in California
- CNC Machinist in California
- Certified Nursing Assistant in California
- Medical Assistant in California
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home health aides in California? California currently employs approximately 970,150 home health aides 1. Nationally, home health aide employment is projected to grow 17.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a home health aide in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do home health aides earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home health aides in California is $34,320, which is $580 below the national median of $34,900 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section - Licensing Information: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/Pages/CLPR.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |