Home Health Aide (HHA) Salary by State
Compare Home Health Aide salaries across all 51 states. Select a state below for detailed percentile breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, and specialty comparisons.
Our nursing salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
Data
reviewed by 
sirI, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
for accuracy.
Home Health Aide Salary Rankings — All States
Key Insights: The Cost of Living Reality
While Washington offers the highest raw salary for HHAs at $47,730, it is crucial to factor in the state's cost of living (COL index of 115.1). When salaries are adjusted for actual purchasing power, the landscape shifts dramatically.
For example, a HHA in North Dakota making a raw median salary of $39,440 enjoys a COL index of 93.9, effectively giving them a purchasing power of $42,002 compared to the national baseline. States in the South and Midwest often provide a better ratio of income to living expenses, despite appearing lower on the raw salary rankings.
| Rank | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | COL Adjusted | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $23.18 | $47,730 | $41,468 | +37% |
| #2 | Oregon | $21.46 | $44,410 | $39,128 | +27% |
| #3 | Rhode Island | $20.35 | $43,680 | $38,655 | +25% |
| #4 | District of Columbia | $20.45 | $42,700 | $28,074 | +22% |
| #5 | Vermont | $19.86 | $41,600 | $36,205 | +19% |
| #6 | Massachusetts | $20.23 | $40,910 | $31,087 | +17% |
| #7 | Alaska | $19.45 | $39,740 | $32,023 | +14% |
| #8 | New York | $19.78 | $39,620 | $28,483 | +14% |
| #9 | North Dakota | $19.95 | $39,440 | $42,002 | +13% |
| #10 | Connecticut | $19.37 | $38,990 | $34,566 | +12% |
| #11 | New Hampshire | $19.31 | $38,760 | $34,484 | +11% |
| #12 | Maine | $19.29 | $38,580 | $34,601 | +11% |
| #13 | Colorado | $19.34 | $38,540 | $36,670 | +10% |
| #14 | Minnesota | $19.13 | $38,370 | $39,557 | +10% |
| #15 | Hawaii | $18.83 | $38,110 | $19,849 | +9% |
| #16 | Illinois | $18.37 | $38,060 | $39,812 | +9% |
| #17 | Maryland | $18.99 | $38,040 | $33,904 | +9% |
| #18 | South Dakota | $18.88 | $37,740 | $40,321 | +8% |
| #19 | New Jersey | $19.08 | $37,090 | $32,196 | +6% |
| #20 | Montana | $17.68 | $36,630 | $36,925 | +5% |
| #21 | Kentucky | $18.53 | $36,440 | $40,489 | +4% |
| #22 | Arizona | $17.52 | $36,420 | $35,636 | +4% |
| #23 | Wisconsin | $17.01 | $36,340 | $38,991 | +4% |
| #24 | Nebraska | $17.74 | $36,150 | $39,123 | +4% |
| #25 | Iowa | $17.76 | $36,080 | $40,358 | +3% |
| #26 | Utah | $17.72 | $35,880 | $35,005 | +3% |
| #27 | Indiana | $16.68 | $35,060 | $38,740 | Avg |
| #28 | Michigan | $16.77 | $35,000 | $38,293 | Avg |
| #29 | Idaho | $16.45 | $34,790 | $34,965 | Avg |
| #30 | Ohio | $16.44 | $34,460 | $37,538 | -1% |
| #31 | California | $17.51 | $34,320 | $24,135 | -2% |
| #32 | Delaware | $16.97 | $34,320 | $33,256 | -2% |
| #33 | Florida | $16.63 | $33,800 | $32,879 | -3% |
| #34 | Nevada | $15.62 | $33,670 | $32,313 | -4% |
| #35 | Wyoming | $17.22 | $33,190 | $35,422 | -5% |
| #36 | Missouri | $16.36 | $33,080 | $36,837 | -5% |
| #37 | Tennessee | $15.90 | $32,130 | $35,621 | -8% |
| #38 | Kansas | $15.56 | $31,260 | $35,767 | -10% |
| #39 | North Carolina | $15.54 | $31,240 | $33,163 | -10% |
| #40 | Virginia | $15.69 | $30,300 | $29,275 | -13% |
| #41 | South Carolina | $14.65 | $30,110 | $31,930 | -14% |
| #42 | Pennsylvania | $15.12 | $29,420 | $29,959 | -16% |
| #43 | Georgia | $14.93 | $29,270 | $32,814 | -16% |
| #44 | New Mexico | $14.48 | $28,520 | $30,503 | -18% |
| #45 | West Virginia | $13.35 | $28,010 | $31,902 | -20% |
| #46 | Alabama | $13.81 | $27,840 | $31,600 | -20% |
| #47 | Oklahoma | $13.75 | $27,710 | $31,632 | -21% |
| #48 | Arkansas | $13.51 | $27,660 | $31,830 | -21% |
| #49 | Texas | $12.54 | $24,230 | $26,195 | -31% |
| #50 | Mississippi | $12.20 | $23,860 | $28,137 | -32% |
| #51 | Louisiana | $11.75 | $22,520 | $24,478 | -35% |
What is a Home Health Aide?
A Home Health Aide (HHA) is a trained healthcare professional who provides essential person-centered care and assistance with activities of daily living for patients in their own homes. Serving as the "central nervous system" of the home-based care team, an HHA is the primary set of eyes and ears for nurses and physicians who aren't physically present. In the trenches of home care, the clinical weight of this job is felt in your ability to detect a subtle change in a patient's cognitive state or physical mobility before it escalates into an emergency. You aren't just providing help; you are maintaining the dignity and independence of those who might otherwise be institutionalized, carrying the responsibility of their safety and well-being every single day.
The path to becoming a certified HHA typically involves completing a state-approved training program and passing a competency evaluation to meet federal and state certification requirements. In 2026, the landscape of home health has been transformed by a high-tech "Hospital at Home" model. We are now utilizing user-friendly wearable sensors and AI-driven monitoring systems that alert us to potential falls or physiological shifts in real-time. This modern scope of practice allows us to be more than just caregivers; we are tech-enabled patient advocates who bridge the gap between complex medical requirements and the comfort of a patient’s living room.
An HHA certification is a true professional "passport," offering a unique level of career flexibility and a springboard into the broader nursing field. Whether you prefer the deep, one-on-one relationships of long-term private duty or the variety of working within specialized hospice and palliative care teams, this role allows you to choose an environment that matches your heart. Many of us use this experience as a foundational stepping stone toward becoming a CNA, LPN, or RN, as the clinical intuition you build in the home is unmatched. Every shift is an opportunity to make a tangible, life-altering impact, providing the high-quality, compassionate support that allows families to stay together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Home Health Aide salary in the US?
The national median salary for a Home Health Aide (HHA) is $34,900 per year, or approximately $17.23 per hour based on 2025 BLS data.
Which state pays Home Health Aides the most?
Washington offers the highest Home Health Aide salary at $47,730 per year, while Louisiana is the lowest at $22,520.
What is the starting salary for a Home Health Aide?
Entry-level Home Health Aides in the US typically start around the 10th percentile, earning a national median of $29,686. With significant experience, top earners in the 90th percentile can make upwards of $42,274 annually.
Does the highest paying state for HHAs offer the best standard of living?
Not necessarily. While Washington offers the highest raw salary at $47,730, its high cost of living means your purchasing power is lower. When adjusted for cost of living, states like North Dakota and Washington often provide a better financial return for HHAs.
How much does a Home Health Aide make an hour?
On a national level, a Home Health Aide makes a median of $17.23 per hour. However, depending on the state and facility, this can range from $14.27 for new graduates up to $20.32 for highly experienced directors or specialists.
Does a Home Health Aide make more than a standard Registered Nurse?
Yes, significantly more. While the national median for a standard Registered Nurse is roughly $93,600, a Home Health Aide averages $34,900. This premium compensation reflects the advanced Certificate degree and specialized clinical training required for the role.