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What is a resident care aide and how to become one
Avg. Salary $28,846
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 36%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.09%
Asian 8.08%
Black or African American 10.90%
Hispanic or Latino 14.96%
Unknown 4.27%
White 60.69%
Genderfemale 86.12%
male 13.88%
Age - 50American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 50Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Resident Care Aide career paths
Key steps to become a resident care aide
Explore resident care aide education requirements
Start to develop specific resident care aide skills
Skills 
Percentages CPR 17.74% Home Health 14.85% Assist Residents 11.81% Patients 10.88% Vital Signs 6.12% Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed resident care aide usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed resident care aide in most of states. 25 states require resident care aides to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License Url Alaska Degree required Third-party exam required Nurse Aide Arkansas Specific course required Both state and third-party exams required Nursing Assistant (Certified) California Specific course required State exam required Certified Nurse Assistant Colorado Specific course required State exam required Nurse Aide Connecticut Specific course required State exam required Nurses Aide Gain additional resident care aide certifications
More About CertificationsResident care aide certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific resident care aide certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for resident care aides include Medical Assistant and Advanced First Aid & CPR.
Research resident care aide duties and responsibilities
- Recognize by physicians for ability to meticulously prepare patient's chest and attach leads to obtain excellent quality EKG tracings.
- Operate medical devices (hoyer, sit to stand, walkers, wheelchairs) [].
- Take care of residents per ADL's (dressing, basic hygiene, toileting, medication reminders and ambulation).
- Perform wound, catheter, and colostomy care.
Prepare your resident care aide resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your resident care aide resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a resident care aide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Resident Care Aide Resume templates
Build a professional Resident Care Aide resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Resident Care Aide resume.
Apply for resident care aide jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a resident care aide job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Resident Care Aide Job
Are you a Resident Care Aide?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average resident care aide salary
The average Resident Care Aide salary in the United States is $28,846 per year or $14 per hour. Resident care aide salaries range between $22,000 and $37,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do resident care aides rate their job?
Resident Care Aide reviews
Very fulfilling and rewarding
Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!
The ability to show care, love & compassion to those whom have none or family can't give time to show any. It's like being the missing piece to a puzzle we all if lucky enough get to live long enough to experience. It's making someones day by just remembering to watch their hands and face before/ after meals. To give proper attention to teeth, to let dressing am or pm still br a choice they make. I know im a good human with an oversized caring heart and although sometimes its exhausting working extra hrs or having to do all or extra work on short staffed days it's worth it. And slow and steady wins the day. They are people whom have gone through & experienced more then we will ever get too.
All the changes with certification and how you can be on the floor of a facility and know not even common sense. How they have hospitality aides, hca, and people going to start a free class. Back in the day we were called glorified babysitters I never agreed until we have just a warm body with no license(s) whom can't do anything even as small as getting ice waters. I've worked hard tobe where i am and these people take a computer class and pass we would call that our continuing education hrs but what do i know after 23 yrs. I once REALLY loved my job and still do but it's almost like being in grade school with people who have phone's lol It bothers me that many new or non licensed bodies have the audacity to come in these facilities and act like the residents are on their time! We are in their home to help provide ADL's amongst other things like them still trying to be & keep their independence. The ridiculous amount they have to spend to have the care they get from some people makes me wanna die young!! Our system sucks unless its the government making the dollar. I just wish they'd spend an 8 hr shift in these facilities before signing off on some rules & regs. Im not political by any means but those who take the dollar should get to live and experience a day of what our elderly lived ones are forced to experience daily , monthly, yearly! In fact the state hasn't even done the 18 month annual expectation in over 2 yrs at the place im contracted at 👍way to keep up on stuff and by stuff I mean our elderly living human beans. People who deserve to be served on gold plates or at least gave better food then what they serve daycares and if not that at least for it to be at high minimum warm food !! In 23 yrs of being a CNA I can only try to write a book to get out all the things I've seen ,heard. & witnessed in the years.
Talking to the patients
Hearing their stories and not having enough time to really respond it’s heartbreaking
Updated January 8, 2025
