Health Aides & Attendants
What Health Aides & Attendants Graduates Do
Your career begins on the front lines of patient care. As a nursing assistant in a bustling hospital or long-term care facility, you'll be the person patients rely on for daily needs—from taking vital signs and documenting changes to assisting with mobility and personal care. Or, you might work as a physical therapist aide, setting up exercise equipment and guiding patients through their recovery routines in a rehab clinic. This is deeply human work, requiring empathy and a physical presence that can't be automated or done from a distance.
While you can build a stable career as an experienced aide earning in the $40,000s, many use this role as a strategic first step. After gaining invaluable hands-on experience, you’ll have a clear pathway to pursue further certifications, like becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), significantly boosting your responsibilities and earning potential. With strong, consistent demand across healthcare, this path offers a secure entry point into a field where you make a tangible difference every day.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Health Aides & Attendants. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Physical Therapy Aide
RAPIDS 2011 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $30K – $34,520 – $38K | 2.8% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Best Schools for Health Aides & Attendants
10 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN |
67 66–67 |
$33,802/yr | 68.3x |
| 2 | Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, LA |
57 52–57 |
$18,707/yr | 65.9x |
| 3 | Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, LA |
55 54–55 |
$21,729/yr | 50.7x |
| 4 | Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Minden, LA |
54 50–54 |
$17,649/yr | 53.8x |
| 5 | New Community Career & Technical Institute Newark, NJ |
53 51–54 |
$27,718/yr | — |
| 6 | Louisiana Delta Community College Monroe, LA |
53 52–53 |
$19,217/yr | 48.2x |
| 7 | Carrington College-Phoenix North Phoenix, AZ |
52 50–52 |
$26,105/yr | — |
| 8 | Carrington College-Mesa Mesa, AZ |
52 50–52 |
$26,105/yr | — |
| 9 | Carrington College-Tucson Tucson, AZ |
52 50–52 |
$26,105/yr | — |
| 10 | NUC University Bayamon, PR |
40 38–40 |
$9,072/yr | 10.3x |
Highest Earning Health Aides & Attendants Programs
Schools where Health Aides & Attendants graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | $33,802/yr | 67 |
| New Community Career & Technical Institute | $27,718/yr | 53 |
| Carrington College-Phoenix North | $26,105/yr | 52 |
| Carrington College-Mesa | $26,105/yr | 52 |
| Carrington College-Tucson | $26,105/yr | 52 |
| Northshore Technical Community College | $21,729/yr | 55 |
| Louisiana Delta Community College | $19,217/yr | 53 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College | $18,707/yr | 57 |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College | $17,649/yr | 54 |
| NUC University | $9,072/yr | 40 |
Best ROI for Health Aides & Attendants
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Health Aides & Attendants.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | 68.3x | $33,802/yr | 67 |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College | 65.9x | $18,707/yr | 57 |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College | 53.8x | $17,649/yr | 54 |
| Northshore Technical Community College | 50.7x | $21,729/yr | 55 |
| Louisiana Delta Community College | 48.2x | $19,217/yr | 53 |
| NUC University | 10.3x | $9,072/yr | 40 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.