A home health aide is one of the entry level healthcare positions. Home health aides provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities.
They often work directly in the patient’s home or in a care facility. Home health aides also monitor or report changes in health status, and sometimes provide personal care such as bathing, dressing, and grooming of patient.
Working as a home health aide is a great way to build experience for the healthcare industry. For individuals and nursing students looking for a part-time job, this can be a great way to add skills and experience to your resume, all while earning an income.
Home Health Aide Education Requirements
There are no formal education requirements for home health aides, but most aides have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Home health aides working in certified home health or hospice agencies must get formal training and pass a standardized test. Some may also be encouraged to pass a CPR certification course, but this depends on the employer’s requirements.
Home Health Aide Salary or Wage Data
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2014, the average hourly wage for a home health aide in the United States is $10.77 per hour. The average annual salary for a home health aide is $22,400. Keep in mind that these are only averages, and you may start at a lower income depending on your experience, industry, and the state in which you work. See our video on home health aid salary income below:
Industry with the Highest Employment Levels
The top two industries with the highest employment level for a home health aide are listed below:
- Home Health Care Services (average salary of $22,450)
- Individual and Family Services (average salary of $21,440)
Top Paying Industry
The two top paying industries for a home health aid are listed below:
- State Governments (average salary of $28,650)
- Management of Companies and Enterprises (average salary of $27,120)
Top Paying States & Lowest Paying States
- The top two paying states were Alaska ($29,100) and North Dakota ($28,640).
- The two lowest paying states were West Virginia ($18,020) and Arkansas ($18,610).
Home Health Aide Average Salary by State
The table below displays the average salary and hourly wage for a home health aide. Again, these are only averages, and your industry, state, and experience can greatly impact earnings.
| Alabama Salary for Home Health Aide | 9.45 | 19650 |
| Alaska Salary for Home Health Aide | 13.99 | 29100 |
| Arizona Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.13 | 25220 |
| Arkansas Salary for Home Health Aide | 8.95 | 18610 |
| California Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.57 | 26140 |
| Colorado Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.77 | 26550 |
| Connecticut Salary for Home Health Aide | 13.52 | 28120 |
| Delaware Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.68 | 26380 |
| District of Columbia Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.72 | 24380 |
| Florida Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.94 | 22750 |
| Georgia Salary for Home Health Aide | 9.52 | 19800 |
| Hawaii Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.72 | 24380 |
| Idaho Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.04 | 20880 |
| Illinois Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.12 | 23140 |
| Indiana Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.60 | 22040 |
| Iowa Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.91 | 22690 |
| Kansas Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.81 | 22480 |
| Kentucky Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.72 | 22300 |
| Louisiana Salary for Home Health Aide | 9.64 | 20060 |
| Maine Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.43 | 23780 |
| Maryland Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.60 | 24120 |
| Massachusetts Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.88 | 26800 |
| Michigan Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.29 | 21400 |
| Minnesota Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.74 | 24410 |
| Mississippi Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.08 | 20960 |
| Missouri Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.03 | 20870 |
| Montana Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.77 | 22400 |
| Nebraska Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.62 | 24160 |
| Nevada Salary for Home Health Aide | 13.21 | 27480 |
| New Hampshire Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.14 | 25260 |
| New Jersey Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.11 | 23120 |
| New Mexico Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.54 | 21930 |
| New York Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.75 | 22360 |
| North Carolina Salary for Home Health Aide | 9.34 | 19430 |
| North Dakota Salary for Home Health Aide | 13.77 | 28640 |
| Ohio Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.05 | 20910 |
| Oklahoma Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.44 | 21720 |
| Oregon Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.40 | 23710 |
| Pennsylvania Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.13 | 21070 |
| Puerto Rico Salary for Home Health Aide | 8.21 | 17090 |
| Rhode Island Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.93 | 26890 |
| South Carolina Salary for Home Health Aide | 9.44 | 19630 |
| South Dakota Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.23 | 25440 |
| Tennessee Salary for Home Health Aide | 9.16 | 19060 |
| Texas Salary for Home Health Aide | 9.87 | 20530 |
| Utah Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.41 | 23730 |
| Vermont Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.46 | 25920 |
| Virginia Salary for Home Health Aide | 10.52 | 21870 |
| Washington Salary for Home Health Aide | 12.53 | 26070 |
| West Virginia Salary for Home Health Aide | 8.67 | 18020 |
| Wisconsin Salary for Home Health Aide | 11.44 | 23790 |
| Wyoming Salary for Home Health Aide | 13.20 | 27460 |
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Home Health Aides,on the Internet at bls.gov.