Personal Care and Service Occupations: Definition, Examples, and Education Requirements
Personal care and service occupations refer to jobs that involve helping other people to maintain their personal comfort, health, and safety. These jobs require strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and a desire to help others.
Examples of personal care and service occupations include personal care aides, home health aides, childcare workers, animal caretakers, funeral service workers, barbers and hairstylists, manicurists and pedicurists, house cleaners, and laundry and dry-cleaning workers.
Education and training requirements for personal care and service occupations vary depending on the job. For instance, some jobs may require a high school diploma or equivalent, while others may require a postsecondary certificate or diploma. Some jobs also require a license or certification.
There are several levels of personal care and service occupations, and workers have opportunities to advance. Job seekers can look for entry-level positions that match their skills and interests and consider volunteering or interning to gain experience and learn more about the industry. Educational programs and training opportunities are also available to help them advance in their careers.
Overall, personal care and service occupations are an essential part of the job market, providing vital services to help people maintain their health, comfort, and safety. Salaries in this industry vary according to job level, hours worked, and geographical location, with unionization appearing to have a positive impact on wages. Job seekers interested in this field have many opportunities to get started and advance in their careers.
Salary Data Summary
The average salary for Personal care and service occupations in the US ranges from $24,731.20 to $102,336.00 depending on the job level. The majority of workers fall within Levels 01 to 07, with Level 05 having the highest average salary of $43,534.40 and Level 01 having the lowest average salary of $24,731.20. Part-time workers generally earn less than full-time workers, with Level 05 having the highest average salary for part-time workers at $45,635.20. Unionized workers in Personal care and service occupations in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area earn an average of $63,585.60, which is significantly higher than the non-unionized national average of $34,569.60.
| Geography | Level | Unionized | Salary (National Avg.) | Salary (Lowest Paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US National Average | Level 01 | No | $24,731.20 | $21,902.40 |
| US National Average | Level 02 | No | $27,872.00 | $24,980.80 |
| US National Average | Level 03 | No | $30,201.60 | $25,604.80 |
| US National Average | Level 04 | No | $35,526.40 | $33,716.80 |
| US National Average | Level 05 | No | $43,534.40 | $38,230.40 |
| US National Average | Level 06 | No | $51,001.60 | $42,764.80 |
| US National Average | Level 07 | No | $69,243.20 | $61,464.00 |
| US National Average | Not able… | No | $38,126.40 | $33,800.00 |
| US National Average | All levels | No | $34,569.60 | $31,512.00 |
| US National Average | All levels | N/A | $42,140.80 | $36,088.00 |
| US National Average | Level 02 | N/A | $28,766.40 | $25,459.20 |
| US National Average | Level 03 | N/A | $28,932.80 | $25,584.00 |
| US National Average | Level 04 | N/A | $37,356.80 | $37,065.60 |
| US National Average | Level 05 | N/A | $42,848.00 | $36,878.40 |
| US National Average | Level 06 | N/A | $52,707.20 | $45,260.80 |
| US National Average | Level 07 | N/A | $69,908.80 | $61,068.80 |
| US National Average | Not able… | N/A | $42,536.00 | $33,779.20 |
| US National Average | All levels | N/A | $31,720.00 | $29,848.00 |
| US National Average | Level 01 | N/A | $24,752.00 | $21,756.80 |
| US National Average | Level 02 | N/A | $27,622.40 | $24,835.20 |
| US National Average | Level 03 | N/A | $30,721.60 | $25,604.80 |
| US National Average | Level 04 | N/A | $33,820.80 | $31,491.20 |
| US National Average | Level 05 | N/A | $45,635.20 | $42,036.80 |
| US National Average | Level 06 | N/A | $45,656.00 | $38,854.40 |
| US National Average | All levels | N/A | $35,838.40 | $32,281.60 |
| US National Average | All levels | N/A | $40,892.80 | $35,880.00 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | All levels | Yes | $63,585.60 | $47,528.00 |
| Monroe, LA | All levels | N/A | $22,172.80 | $21,507.20 |
