Whether you're already a home health aide (HHA) or you're considering becoming one, you might be wondering about the average home health aide salary, and what you might expect to earn in your area. Home health aides are essential care providers, helping patients with activities of daily living, health maintenance, and home tasks. They can work in home health agencies, group homes, and public health service programs.
The need for home health aides is expected to grow by 17% — much faster than average — over the next several years. Plus, home health aide job requirements typically don't include a college-level degree, so it can be an accessible way to begin or advance your career in healthcare. Let's go over updated info on home health care aide salary averages, and how home health aide pay varies by state and area.
Home Health Aide Pay Averages
How much does a home health aide make? The Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent report shows that the average annual personal care and home health aide salary is $34,990; the average home health aide salary per hour is $16.82. Your location, years of experience, work performance, and job setting are major determining factors in what you make in this role. Here are the percentile salary estimates for home health aides:
| Home Health Aide Wage Estimates | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| Annual | $25,600 | $30,370 | $34,900 | $37,980 | $44,190 |
| Hourly | $12.31 | $14.60 | $16.78 | $18.26 | $21.25 |
Average Home Health Aide Salary by State
Depending on where you live and work, you could earn more as a home health aide. The table below shows average hourly rates and yearly salaries for home health aides by state. If you're thinking about a job change within your state or to a new area, click the links to see home health aide job openings. And be sure to check out opportunities for travel home health aides, because travel contract salaries are often higher than permanent positions.
*Note: Due to the BLS's concerns regarding Colorado's data quality, the pay in that state has been omitted.
| State | Average Annual Home Health Aide Salary | Average Hourly Home Health Aide Salary | Home Health Aide Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,800 | $12.89 | Home health aide jobs in Alabama |
| Alaska | $39,320 | $18.90 | Home health aide jobs in Alaska |
| Arizona | $35,630 | $17.13 | Home health aide jobs in Arizona |
| Arkansas | $27,520 | $13.23 | Home health aide jobs in Arkansas |
| California | $36,160 | $17.39 | Home health aide jobs in California |
| Colorado | n/a | n/a | Home health aide jobs in Colorado |
| Connecticut | $39,160 | $18.83 | Home health aide jobs in Connecticut |
| Delaware | $33,480 | $16.10 | Home health aide jobs in Delaware |
| Florida | $33,650 | $16.18 | Home health aide jobs in Florida |
| Georgia | $29,800 | $14.33 | Home health aide jobs in Georgia |
| Hawaii | $36,630 | $17.61 | Home health aide jobs in Hawaii |
| Idaho | $33,720 | $16.21 | Home health aide jobs in Idaho |
| Illinois | $36,540 | $17.57 | Home health aide jobs in Illinois |
| Indiana | $32,690 | $15.72 | Home health aide jobs in Indiana |
| Iowa | $36,070 | $17.34 | Home health aide jobs in Iowa |
| Kansas | $30,260 | $14.55 | Home health aide jobs in Kansas |
| Kentucky | $35,990 | $17.30 | Home health aide jobs in Kentucky |
| Louisiana | $22,770 | $10.95 | Home health aide jobs in Louisiana |
| Maine | $38,820 | $18.66 | Home health aide jobs in Maine |
| Maryland | $38,670 | $18.59 | Home health aide jobs in Maryland |
| Massachusetts | $40,540 | $19.49 | Home health aide jobs in Massachusetts |
| Michigan | $33,520 | $16.12 | Home health aide jobs in Michigan |
| Minnesota | $37,000 | $17.79 | Home health aide jobs in Minnesota |
| Mississippi | $25,190 | $12.11 | Home health aide jobs in Mississippi |
| Missouri | $32,940 | $15.84 | Home health aide jobs in Missouri |
| Montana | $33,270 | $16.00 | Home health aide jobs in Montana |
| Nebraska | $34,790 | $16.73 | Home health aide jobs in Nebraska |
| Nevada | $31,530 | $15.16 | Home health aide jobs in Nevada |
| New Hampshire | $37,290 | $17.93 | Home health aide jobs in New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | $38,070 | $18.30 | Home health aide jobs in New Jersey |
| New Mexico | $29,020 | $13.95 | Home health aide jobs in New Mexico |
| New York | $39,660 | $19.07 | Home health aide jobs in New York |
| North Carolina | $30,810 | $14.81 | Home health aide jobs in North Carolina |
| North Dakota | $40,290 | $19.37 | Home health aide jobs in North Dakota |
| Ohio | $32,090 | $15.43 | Home health aide jobs in Ohio |
| Oklahoma | $27,190 | $13.07 | Home health aide jobs in Oklahoma |
| Oregon | $42,950 | $20.65 | Home health aide jobs in Oregon |
| Pennsylvania | $31,420 | $15.11 | Home health aide jobs in Pennsylvania |
| Rhode Island | $40,310 | $19.38 | Home health aide jobs in Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | $29,390 | $14.13 | Home health aide jobs in South Carolina |
| South Dakota | $37,620 | $18.09 | Home health aide jobs in South Dakota |
| Tennessee | $32,210 | $15.49 | Home health aide jobs in Tennessee |
| Texas | $25,350 | $12.19 | Home health aide jobs in Texas |
| Utah | $37,120 | $17.85 | Home health aide jobs in Utah |
| Vermont | $36,870 | $17.73 | Home health aide jobs in Vermont |
| Virginia | $31,430 | $15.11 | Home health aide jobs in Virginia |
| Washington | $46,950 | $22.57 | Home health aide jobs in Washington |
| West Virginia | $26,730 | $12.85 | Home health aide jobs in West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | $33,160 | $15.94 | Home health aide jobs in Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | $35,330 | $16.99 | Home health aide jobs in Wyoming |
| Washington D.C. | $40,400 | $19.42 | Home health aide jobs in Washington, DC |
| Puerto Rico | $21,220 | $10.20 | Home health aide jobs in Puerto Rico |
Best-Paying States for Home Health Aides 2025–2026
Where can you potentially earn the most as a home health aide? The answer varies from year to year. See the areas below where home health and personal care aides earn the highest salaries on average:
- Washington
- Oregon
- Massachusetts
- District of Columbia
- Rhode Island
Factors That Can Affect Your Salary as a Home Health Aide
While location plays a big part in your salary, care setting is another determining factor in your income for this role. For example, not all aides work in patients' homes. Patient care assistants and aides working in state government roles (excluding schools and hospitals) tend to earn more than those working in general hospitals. Working for an agency or providing private-duty care can also influence pay, with private clients sometimes paying more out of pocket.
Your experience level and certifications can also bump your earnings, depending on where you work. Some facilities may offer more for HHAs who are certified medication assistants. Additional training in dementia care or hospice support may also be great leverage when it's time to negotiate your salary for the next year.
Home Health Aide Salary FAQ
Do home health aides get paid weekly or biweekly?
It depends on your employer. Many home health agencies pay biweekly, while some offer weekly, and even daily pay. Frequent payouts are more common in roles with per diem or part-time scheduling. If you're working as an independent contractor, you may be paid directly by clients based on your own billing schedule.
Can home health aides earn overtime?
Yes, many HHAs are eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you may qualify for time-and-a-half pay — unless you're an independent contractor, in which case overtime rules can vary.
Who earns more — home health aides or nursing assistants?
While home health aides have similar duties to that of a certified nursing assistant, CNAs have a higher average salary at $41,270 per year, or $19.84 per hour. There are a few reasons for this; CNAs can work in a broader range of medical settings, and depending on the state, may have a larger scope of practice. They also tend to take on a larger patient load, and care for patients who are sicker and need more assistance.
Are benefits included in home health aide jobs?
That depends on the employer and how your work agreement is structured. Full-time HHAs working for established agencies typically receive benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan matching. Independent contractors and part-time workers may need to secure their own benefits. Learn more about the difference between independent contractors and employees.
Do home health aides get mileage reimbursement?
If your job involves driving between clients' homes, some employers offer mileage reimbursement. This is more common with home health agencies than private clients, so be sure to ask during your job search or interview. If you're an independent contractor traveling far for work, you may be able to deduct your mileage as a business expense. Learn more about tax deductions for nursing professionals.
Find Roles for Home Health Aides
You may be able to boost your home health aide salary in a new role. Credenza makes it easy to hunt for higher pay because we bring you the latest the home health aide jobs in your area. Check out open roles today.