The Search For Justice, Fairness & Common Sense

I offer these thoughts as a private individual who was once active in the politic and human care worlds. My version of the human care world is one of folks of all ages who need 24 hours of personal, if not necessarily medical/nursing care, every day. The Reader can easily envision the details of the care, which can be very sensitive in many ways and which need not itemized or articulated for the purposes of this article.

I am also focused on those who would preferred to not have to live in a Nursing Home, which are very appropriate for many people/purposes and which I am very supportive of and would like to stay in their own home.

"In-Home Personal Care" is often the best answer. I speak of something I have been a close witness of and why I submit this Article.

While the Governments at the Federal and State levels focused on an appropriate and just "Minimum Wage" for the general population, I was/am disappointed that "In-Home Personal Care" and the Personal Care Givers in our not-for-profit community service agencies that provide lifetime home in family-sized residences was not accented. I felt that our State Government does not understand or respect this role in our lives.

I invite you to think about their roles in the human care world. They serve their care-receivers as a any parent or child would to a family member at a salary rate lower than an employee with much less serious responsibility.

Ponder on the reality of having responsibility for a fragile venerable helpless human being, which if not done properly can result in legal repercussions.

It also important to realize we are all living longer and many with a very high rate of dementia and Alzheimer's diseases that can last a long time. More of these Care-Givers will be needed. Add to this are the facts, the salaries are not sufficient to support a family In Rockland County, the result of which it is difficult to recruit employees, high turnover adding to training costs. and those who stay finding a second job.

I rest my case on the following statistics and think about bringing it to the attentions of your State Government Representatives.

Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020

31-1120 Home Health and Personal Care Aides

This occupation includes the 2018 SOC occupations 31-1121 Home Health Aides and 31-1122 Personal Care Aides and the 2010 SOC occupations 31-1011 Home Health Aides and 39-9021 Personal Care Aides.

National estimates for Home Health and Personal Care AidesIndustry profile for Home Health and Personal Care AidesGeographic profile for Home Health and Personal Care Aides
National estimates for Home Health and Personal Care Aides:

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Home Health and Personal Care Aides:
Employment (1)EmploymentRSE (3)Mean hourlywageMean annualwage (2)Wage RSE (3)3,211,590
0.7 %
$ 13.49
$ 28,060
0.3 %
Percentile wage estimates for Home Health and Personal Care Aides:
Percentile 10% 25% 50%(Median) 75% 90% Hourly Wage
$ 9.68
$ 11.33
$ 13.02
$ 15.04
$ 17.79
Annual Wage (2)
$ 20,130
$ 23,560
$ 27,080
$ 31,280
$ 36,990
Industry profile for Home Health and Personal Care Aides:

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Home Health and Personal Care Aides are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Home Health and Personal Care Aides, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Home Health and Personal Care Aides:
Industry Employment (1)Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)Individual and Family Services
1,474,730
57.65
$ 13.69
$ 28,480
Home Health Care Services
863,850
57.82
$ 13.02
$ 27,080
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities
295,070
46.66
$ 13.40
$ 27,860
Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly
252,530
26.84
$ 13.36
$ 27,790
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
56,570
19.69
$ 12.89
$ 26,810
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Home Health and Personal Care Aides:
Industry Employment (1)Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)Home Health Care Services
863,850
57.82
$ 13.02
$ 27,080
Individual and Family Services
1,474,730
57.65
$ 13.69
$ 28,480
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities
295,070
46.66
$ 13.40
$ 27,860
Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly
252,530
26.84
$ 13.36
$ 27,790
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
56,570
19.69
$ 12.89
$ 26,810
Top paying industries for Home Health and Personal Care Aides:
Industry Employment (1)Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS Designation)
24,670
1.12
$ 18.58
$ 38,640
Educational Support Services
400
0.21
$ 17.41
$ 36,210
Other Investment Pools and Funds
370
3.42
$ 16.95
$ 35,250
Scientific Research and Development Services
180
0.02
$ 16.00
$ 33,290
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations
140
0.03
$ 15.73
$ 32,720