Home Health Aides (HHAs) in the US earn an average of $31,370 per year or $15.08 per hour. This guide breaks down HHA pay by state, employer, and experience.
Quick Answer: Home Health Aide Salary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average annual salary | $31,370 |
| Average hourly wage | $15.08 |
| Entry-level salary | $25,000 |
| Top 10% earn | $39,000+ |
| Total employed | 3.6 million |
Home Health Aide Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Massachusetts | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Washington | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| California | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Oregon | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Hawaii | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| District of Columbia | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| New York | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Connecticut | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| New Jersey | $34,680 | $16.67 |
| Colorado | $34,250 | $16.47 |
| Minnesota | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Arizona | $31,450 | $15.12 |
| Texas | $28,120 | $13.52 |
| Florida | $29,650 | $14.25 |
| Georgia | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| Alabama | $25,780 | $12.39 |
| Mississippi | $24,650 | $11.85 |
| Louisiana | $26,120 | $12.56 |
Home Health Aide Salary by Employer
| Employer Type | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Home health agency | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Private duty (direct hire) | $35,000+ | $16.83+ |
| Medicaid/Medicare waiver | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Hospice services | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Residential care facility | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Mental health/disability | $32,500 | $15.63 |
| Live-in caregiver | $40,000+ | Room + board |
Home Health Aide Salary by Experience
| Experience | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (< 1 year) | $25,000 | $12.02 |
| 1-3 years | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| 3-5 years | $31,000 | $14.90 |
| 5-10 years | $34,000 | $16.35 |
| 10+ years | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Lead/Senior HHA | $38,000 | $18.27 |
Home Health Aide Certifications
| Certification | Salary Premium |
|---|---|
| HHA state certification | Required |
| CNA certification | +$2,000-$4,000 |
| CPR/First Aid | Often required |
| Dementia care specialty | +$1,000-$2,000 |
| Wound care | +$1,500 |
| Hospice certification | +$1,500-$2,500 |
How to Become a Home Health Aide
| Step | Time Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma/GED | Required | Free |
| HHA training program | 75+ hours | $200-$1,000 |
| On-the-job training | 1-2 weeks | Paid |
| State competency test | 1 day | $50-$100 |
| Total | 2-6 weeks | $250-$1,100 |
Home Health Aide vs CNA
| Factor | Home Health Aide | CNA |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary | $31,370 | $36,220 |
| Training time | 2-6 weeks | 4-12 weeks |
| Training cost | $250-$1,100 | $700-$2,200 |
| Work setting | Clients’ homes | Facilities |
| Supervision | Less direct | More structured |
| Travel | Required | Minimal |
Home Health Aide Career Advancement
| Next Step | Additional Training | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | 4-8 weeks | +$5,000 |
| LPN/LVN | 1 year | +$18,000 |
| Registered Nurse | 2-4 years | +$45,000 |
| Patient Care Coordinator | Experience | +$15,000 |
| Care management | 6 months | +$10,000 |
Home Health Aide Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $1,200 | $1,913 | $1,000 | $20,887 |
| $31,370 | $2,000 | $2,400 | $1,255 | $25,715 |
| $35,000 | $2,500 | $2,678 | $1,400 | $28,422 |
| $40,000 | $3,200 | $3,060 | $1,600 | $32,140 |
Use our income after taxes calculator for your exact take-home pay.
Home Health Aide Job Outlook
- Job growth: 22% (2022-2032) — Much faster than average
- Job openings: 684,000+ annually
- Demand: Very high due to aging population
- Competition: Very low — significant shortage
Home Health Aide Working Conditions
| Factor | Typical Situation |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Variable, may include weekends |
| Travel | Required between clients |
| Physical demands | Lifting, assisting patients |
| Emotional demands | End-of-life care common |
| Autonomy | Work independently |
| Benefits | Often limited for part-time |