Do CNA's get paid the same rate as HHA's?

[Tamimac]

Hi! Do CNA's get paid more than HHA's? I am just starting out as a new CNA, and wonder why many agencies say we start @ __$? And never tell you what the going CNA pay rate really is? How do you get them to differentiate pay rates discreetly? Very few came out and told me we start CNA's at __$. MY CONCERN is that I may end up with the same pay as the HHA or companion worker!!! Please advise. Thanks!!!

[caliotter3]

CNA and HHA are considered to be at the same level and are paid similarly. The companion worker is the one who is paid at the bottom of the scale. Differences in pay scales have more to do with the type of facility, which dictates differences in duties, to some degree. If you want the higher pay, you have to look at what each employer is offering and what the duties will be.

[2ndyearstudent, CNA]

Hi! Do CNA's get paid more than HHA's? I am just starting out as a new CNA, and wonder why many agencies say we start @ __$? And never tell you what the going CNA pay rate really is? How do you get them to differentiate pay rates discreetly? Very few came out and told me we start CNA's at __$. MY CONCERN is that I may end up with the same pay as the HHA or companion worker!!! Please advise. Thanks!!!

That is a BIG "It depends."

I went from working as a CNA in a nursing home to a Home Health Aide for a Hospital Home Health agency. I ended up with about a 50% raise. With another 5% scheduled in Jan on my one year of service date.

Note, as HHAs we probably do more direct and invasive cares than CNAs in nursing homes or hospitals do. Stuff I do now (only with orders and after documented training) that I didn't as a CNA includes:

Bowel Programs (Enema or Suppository and Digital Stim)

Ostomy care (changing, not just emptying)

PT/OT exercises.

Wound Care (Clean only, no sterile or wet-to-dry)

G Tube feeding

Catheter Irrigation

Other HHAs at other agencies may do none of these things and get paid less. It depends.