How much do home health aides make per hour?

The median home health aide hourly rate is $16.12/hour nationally. Entry-level HHAs earn $11–$13/hour, experienced aides earn $14–$17/hour, and specialized or private HHAs can earn $18–$35/hour depending on location and skills.

How much does a home health aide cost per hour?

Hiring through an agency costs $20–$35/hour (agency takes 30–50% cut). Private/direct hire costs $15–$25/hour. Live-in aides cost $200–$350/day. Monthly full-time care ranges from $3,500–$6,000.

What state pays home health aides the most?

Massachusetts pays the highest at $39,910/year ($19.19/hr), followed by California ($39,200), Washington ($38,600), New York ($38,100), and Alaska ($37,800). Coastal and metro areas consistently pay more.

Do home health aides make more than CNAs?

CNAs have a slightly higher median salary ($35,760 vs $33,530 for HHAs). However, private home health aides can earn significantly more ($25–$35/hr) than facility-based CNAs because they work directly with families.

How much does a private home health aide make?

Private home health aides hired directly by families earn $20–$35/hour without an agency middleman. This is significantly more than agency HHAs ($14–$17/hr) because there’s no agency cut.

Is home health aide a good career?

Yes — HHA is one of the fastest-growing careers (22% growth). It requires minimal training (75 hours), has flexible scheduling, and provides meaningful work. With specialization and experience, earnings can reach $45,000+.

How can I increase my home health aide salary?

Get additional certifications (CPR, dementia care), specialize in high-demand areas, work in metro/coastal areas, gain experience, get CNA dual certification, or transition to private/direct hire clients for higher rates.

Home Health Aide Salary — How Much Do HHAs Make?

Q: Does Medicare cover home health aide services?

Medicare covers skilled home health aide services when ordered by a physician as part of a home health plan of care. It does NOT cover custodial care (bathing, dressing only) without a skilled nursing need.

How much do home health aides make? HHA salary by state, hourly rates, pay factors, and how to earn more. Median $33,530/year. Updated April 2026.

HHA - Home Health AideBy Dr. Sarah MitchellApr 12, 20265 min read

Home Health Aide Salary — How Much Do HHAs Make?

💰 Home Health Aide Salary Overview

National salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), updated for 2026.

💵$33,530Median Annualall HHAs nationally

⏰$16.12Median Hourlystandard rate

🟢$24,800Bottom 10%entry level

🟡$37,010Top 25%experienced

🟠$45,760Top 10%specialized/metro

📈+22%Job Growth2022–2032

Take Free HHA Practice Test

🗺️ Home Health Aide Salary by State

HHA pay varies significantly by state. Top-paying and lowest-paying states compared.

Massachusetts — $39,910/year ($19.19/hr)
California — $39,200/year ($18.85/hr)
Washington — $38,600/year ($18.56/hr)
New York — $38,100/year ($18.32/hr)
Alaska — $37,800/year ($18.17/hr)

home health aide working with elderly patient at home - HHA career

⏰ Home Health Aide Hourly Rates

What home health care aides earn per hour depends on experience level and location.

🟢$11–$13/hrEntry LevelNew HHAs in rural/low-cost areas. First 1–2 years, no specialization.

🟡$14–$17/hrExperiencedAverage pay for certified home health aides with 2–5 years experience in metro areas.

🟠$18–$22/hrSpecializedDementia care, pediatric, hospice, or live-in aides in high-cost states.

🔵$25–$35/hrPrivate/Agency PremiumPrivate home health aide salary for direct hire. Families pay more but HHA earns more without agency cut.

Rates based on BLS data and industry surveys. Private rates reflect what families pay directly.

📈 Factors That Affect HHA Pay

Understanding what drives home health aide pay helps you maximize your earnings.

📍LocationBiggest Factor

Coastal and metro areas pay 40–60% more than rural areas. NYC, Boston, SF top the charts.

MetroStateCost of Living

Range: $12–$22/hr by location

📅Experience5–15% per year

Each year of experience adds approximately $0.50–$1.00/hour. Top earners have 5+ years.

YearsSkills

Year 1 vs 5: $13 vs $17/hr avg

🎓CertificationsEarn More

Additional certifications (CPR, dementia care, hospice) increase pay by 10–20%. CNA dual cert is most valuable.

CPRDementiaCNA

Premium: +$1–$3/hr

🏢Employer TypeVaries

Agencies pay less ($14–$17/hr) but provide benefits. Private/direct hire pays more ($20–$30/hr) but no benefits.

AgencyPrivateHospital

Agency vs Private: $15 vs $25/hr

🔄 HHA vs CNA Salary Comparison

How does home health aide pay compare to certified nursing assistant pay?

✅HHA Pay Pros

+Private hire HHAs can earn $25–$35/hr
+Flexible scheduling — set your own hours
+Tips and bonuses from grateful families
+Lower training cost to get started
+Overtime opportunities with multiple clients

❌CNA Pay Pros

−Higher base salary ($35,760 median vs $33,530)
−Benefits packages from hospitals/facilities
−Night/weekend shift differentials (+$2–$5/hr)
−More career advancement paths (LPN, RN)
−Consistent hours and schedule

Practice HHA Basic Care Questions

💰 How Much Does a Home Health Aide Cost?

If you’re hiring a home health aide for a family member, expect to pay:

Agency rate: $20–$35/hour (agency takes 30–50% cut)
Private hire: $15–$25/hour (direct to aide, no middleman)
Live-in aide: $200–$350/day (24-hour care)
Monthly cost: $3,500–$6,000 for full-time care

Does Medicare cover home health aide services? Medicare covers skilled HHA services when ordered by a physician, but not custodial/personal care only.

hha career growth - home health aide advancement opportunities

🚀 How to Increase Your HHA Salary

Actionable steps to earn more as a home health aide.

1️⃣

Immediate

Get Certified

Complete your HHA certification if you haven’t already. Certified aides earn 15–25% more than uncertified. Check our free HHA practice test to prepare.

2️⃣

Year 1

Add CPR & First Aid

CPR and First Aid certifications are quick ($50–$100) and add $1–$2/hr to your rate. Many agencies require them.

3️⃣

Year 1–2

Specialize in Dementia Care

Dementia and Alzheimer’s care specialization adds $2–$4/hr. Growing demand as population ages.

4️⃣

Year 2–3

Get CNA Dual Certification

Adding CNA to your HHA opens hospital/facility jobs at higher pay ($35,760 median). Compare CNA vs HHA roles.

5️⃣

Year 3+

Go Private or Start Agency

Private home health aides earn $25–$35/hr. Build client base through referrals. Top earners start their own HHA agencies.

📄HHA Practice Test Questions and Answers PDF

Start Earning as a Home Health Aide

Ready to start your home health aide career? The demand is growing 22% — much faster than average. Here’s how:

Complete home health aide training (free programs available)
Pass the certification exam — use our hha test
Build your home health aide resume
Apply for positions — agencies and private families are hiring

Learn about home health aide duties and how to become a home health aide.

About the Author

Dr. Sarah MitchellRN, MSN, PhD

Registered Nurse & Healthcare Educator

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

Dr. Sarah Mitchell is a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science at Johns Hopkins University and has taught NCLEX preparation and clinical skills courses for nursing students across the United States. Her research focuses on evidence-based exam preparation strategies for healthcare certification candidates.