Home Health Aide Salary in 2026
Provide personal care and basic health services to patients in their homes.
Median Salary
$35,800
$2,983/mo
Entry Level
$29,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$42,500
experienced
Job Growth
+25%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Home Health and Personal Care Aides (SOC 31-1120) at a national median of $35,800 per year (mean $36,120), or $17.21 per hour, with 4,305,810 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Home Health Aide Overview
Provide personal care and basic health services to patients in their homes.
Education
Certificate
Experience
0 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
4.3M
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$17.21/hr
Monthly Pay
$2,983
Home Health Aide Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Home Health Aide salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Home Health Aide Salary
$38,000
$3,167/month · $1,462/biweekly · $18.27/hr
Home Health Aide Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Home Health Aide field.
Entry-level Home Health Aides earn around $29,100, while the top 10% earn $46,400 or more.
Top Paying States for Home Health Aides
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $42,000 | +$6,200 |
| New York | $41,000 | +$5,200 |
| Illinois | $37,000 | +$1,200 |
| Texas | $35,000 | $-800 |
| Florida | $35,000 | $-800 |
Top Paying Cities for Home Health Aides
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $42,000 | +$6,200 |
| Los Angeles | $40,000 | +$4,200 |
| Chicago | $38,000 | +$2,200 |
| Philadelphia | $37,000 | +$1,200 |
| Houston | $35,000 | $-800 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Home Health Aide Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Home Health Aide from entry level to expert.
$29,100
0-2 years
$36,000
3-7 years
$42,500
8-14 years
$50,300
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Home Health Aide Salary FAQ
How much does a Home Health Aide make in 2026?
The median salary for a Home Health Aide in the United States is $35,800 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Home Health and Personal Care Aides (SOC 31-1120); the mean is $36,120. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $29,100, senior professionals around $42,500, and top earners at $50,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Home Health Aide?
A Home Health Aide typically requires a Certificate with 0 years of experience. Key skills include Patient Care, Vital Signs, Hygiene Assistance. Relevant certifications such as State Certification or CPR/First Aid can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Home Health Aides?
The job market for Home Health Aides is projected to grow by 25% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 4.3M Home Health Aide positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 5%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Home Health Aides the most?
The highest-paying states for Home Health Aides include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $42,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Home Health Aide salary?
To increase your Home Health Aide salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Patient Care and Vital Signs. Pursue certifications such as State Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 0 years of experience, you can progress from $29,100 to $42,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Home Health Aide Salary
How we calculate Home Health Aide salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Home Health and Personal Care Aides (SOC 31-1120), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $35,800, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Home Health and Personal Care Aides; BLS mean $36,120; BLS hourly median $17.21.
- Entry-level ($29,100) and senior-level ($42,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +25% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 4,305,810 Home Health and Personal Care Aides jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 5% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Certificate, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $35,800; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Home Health Aide compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Home Health Aide job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Home Health Aide salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Patient Care, Vital Signs, Hygiene Assistance), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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