Home Health Aide Salary in 2026
Provide personal care and basic health services to patients in their homes.
Median Salary
$32,000
$2,667/mo
Entry Level
$26,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$38,000
experienced
Job Growth
+25%
10-yr outlook
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)
3.6M
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$15.38/hr
Monthly Pay
$2,667
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
$34,000
$2,833/month · $1,308/biweekly · $16.35/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 $26,000, while the top 10% earn $41,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Home Health Aides
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $38,000 | +$6,000 |
| New York | $37,000 | +$5,000 |
| Illinois | $33,000 | +$1,000 |
| Texas | $31,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $31,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Home Health Aides
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $38,000 | +$6,000 |
| Los Angeles | $36,000 | +$4,000 |
| Chicago | $34,000 | +$2,000 |
| Philadelphia | $33,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $32,000 | $0 |
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.
$26,000
0-2 years
$32,000
3-7 years
$38,000
8-14 years
$45,000
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 $32,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $26,000, while senior professionals earn up to $38,000. Top earners in the field can make $45,000 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 3.6M 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 $38,000. 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 $26,000 to $38,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources — Home Health Aide Salary
How we calculate Home Health Aide salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $32,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Home Health Aide in the Healthcare sector.
- Entry-level ($26,000) and senior-level ($38,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +25% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 3.6M total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 5% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Healthcare sector wages.
- Education requirement: Certificate, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $32,000.
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 Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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