Home Health Aide Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$35,000
national median salary
$30,000 to $38,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $35,800 for Home Health and Personal Care Aides (SOC 31-1120) across the United States, based on 4,305,810 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$27,040
25th percentile
$31,920
Median
$35,800
75th percentile
$39,470
90th percentile
$45,040
Workers surveyed
4,305,810
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$34,900
May 2025 release
$35,800
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Home Health and Personal Care Aides (SOC 31-1120) rather than Home Health Aidespecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 31-1120Highest Paying
$49,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$37,000
Princeton, NJ
Lowest Paying
$27,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 31-1120. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Home Health Aide salary in the United States at $35,000 in 2026, within a range of $30,000 to $38,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $49,000, while Princeton offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. State minimum wage laws and Medicaid reimbursement rates are the primary salary drivers.
Home Health Aide salary by city.
Skills that increase Home Health Aide pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Home Health Aides based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $4,900 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$4,900 per year
≈ +$4,550 per year
≈ +$4,200 per year
≈ +$3,850 per year
≈ +$3,850 per year
≈ +$3,500 per year
≈ +$3,500 per year
≈ +$3,150 per year
What you should know.
State minimum wage laws and Medicaid reimbursement rates are the primary salary drivers. Aides with specialized training in dementia care or wound care earn higher rates. Urban areas with higher cost of living pay more, and agencies offering benefits packages tend to attract experienced aides at premium hourly rates.
New home health aides start at $27,000 to $30,000 with basic certification. Experienced aides with specialty skills earn $33,000 to $38,000 after three to five years. Senior aides who advance to CNA or LPN roles can reach $42,000 to $55,000 with additional licensure.
Benefits vary widely by employer, with agency-employed aides more likely to receive health insurance, paid time off, and mileage reimbursement. Some states mandate paid sick leave and overtime protections that effectively increase total compensation.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Home Health Aides typically earn $32,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Home Health Aide?
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Common questions about Home Health Aide pay.
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