Personal Care Aides

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Career Profile

Personal Care Aides

What they do

Provide personalized assistance to individuals with disabilities or illness who require help with personal care and activities of daily living support (e.g., feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation). May also provide help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry. Work is performed in various settings depending on the needs of the care recipient and may include locations such as their home, place of work, out in the community, or at a daytime nonresidential facility.

Also Called: Care Provider, Caregiver, Direct Care Worker, Home Care Aide, Medication Aide, Personal Care Aide, Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Resident Assistant, Resident Care Assistant (RCA), Care Provider, Caregiver, Direct Care Worker, Home Care Aide, Medication Aide, Personal Care Aide, Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Resident Assistant, Resident Care Assistant (RCA)

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$21,980
Starting Salary (2025)
$24,230
Median Salary (2025)
No Data
Projected Job Growth
329,590
TX Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Administer bedside or personal care, such as ambulation or personal hygiene assistance.
Prepare and maintain records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor.
Provide clients with communication assistance, typing their correspondence or obtaining information for them.
Care for individuals or families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, or help in adjusting to new lifestyles.
Perform healthcare-related tasks, such as monitoring vital signs and medication, under the direction of registered nurses or physiotherapists.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Realistic
Practical, Physical Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Concern for Others
Stress Tolerance
Cooperation
Attention to Detail
Initiative
Self-Control

What key skills are needed for this job?

Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness
Active Listening
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Coordination

Expected Knowledge

English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Common Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 2

Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • High school diploma 48%
  • Associate's degree 22%
  • Less than high school 18%
  • Post-secondary certificate 6%
  • Some college 6%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Home Health Aides
Nursing Assistants
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Nannies
Psychiatric Aides

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.