2025–26 Home Health Aide Salary: Facts, Figures, and Salaries by State

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 $36,120; the average home health aide salary per hour is $17.36. 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:

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.

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
• District of Columbia
• Rhode Island
• Massachusetts

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 $42,700 per year, or $20.53 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.