How to Become a Home Health Aide (HHA)

Updated October 27, 2025 | Brad Fishbein Table of Contents

Want to make a real difference in people’s lives every day?
Home Health Aides help patients live comfortably and safely at home.

Home Health Aides (HHAs) assist people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairments with daily living tasks. They provide basic healthcare, companionship, and vital support that helps clients maintain independence.
If you’re caring, patient, and reliable, this career offers a meaningful way to serve others in a growing healthcare field.

Quick Facts: Home Health Aide Salary, Education, and Outlook

Median Pay $34,900 $16.78/hr Top 10%: $44,190
Job Outlook (2024–2034) 17.0% 765,800 openings/yr
Employment (2024) 3,988,140
🏁Wage Percentiles
25th $30,370 75th $37,980
🎓Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
🛠️On‑the‑Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
🌎Highest Paying States
Washington Rhode Island Oregon
🏢Top Industries
Cross-industry
✅Certification
Required in most states
Data Year: 2024 SOC: 31-1120 Source: BLS OEWS

What Home Health Aides Do

Home Health Aides provide personal care and basic health-related services in clients’ homes or residential facilities.

Typical Responsibilities

  • Assist with bathing, dressing, and grooming
  • Check vital signs such as pulse and temperature
  • Help with light housekeeping and meal preparation
  • Monitor client condition and report changes to healthcare staff
  • Provide emotional support and companionship

HHAs are often the closest link between patients and their healthcare providers, playing a key role in comfort and recovery.

Key Skills and Traits for Success

  • Compassion and patience
  • Attention to detail
  • Physical stamina for lifting and mobility support
  • Strong communication skills
  • Reliability and professionalism
  • Basic medical knowledge

Work Settings for Home Health Aides

Home Health Aides work in:

  • Private homes
  • Hospice or palliative care settings
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Rehabilitation centers

How to Become a Home Health Aide (5 Steps)

You can become a certified HHA in as little as 6 months.

1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED

Most programs require a high school diploma or GED before enrollment.

2. Complete a State-Approved Training Program

Training programs typically last a few months and include classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. Topics cover personal care, infection control, and patient rights.

3. Pass a Competency Evaluation or Exam

After completing training, you must pass a state-approved competency evaluation or exam to demonstrate your skills.

4. Get Certified and Listed on the State Registry

Once you pass your exam, you’ll be added to your state’s Home Health Aide registry, allowing you to work for certified home healthcare agencies.

5. Start Working and Continue Education

Begin working under supervision and take continuing education courses to maintain your certification and stay updated on patient care best practices.

Home Health Aide Salary by State

BLS OEWS, May 2024

State Median annual Top 10% annual
Washington $46,140 $53,710
Wyoming $31,280 $52,000
Oregon $41,490 $51,550
North Dakota $39,100 $48,280
Kentucky $34,810 $47,780
Rhode Island $41,890 $47,610
Maryland $36,970 $46,570
Vermont $34,260 $46,410
South Dakota $36,780 $45,980
Utah $35,970 $45,850
Alaska $38,370 $45,780
New Jersey $37,080 $45,760
Connecticut $38,200 $45,690
New York $37,980 $45,550
New Hampshire $36,610 $45,410
Maine $37,670 $45,210
Massachusetts $39,520 $44,770
Colorado $37,420 $44,680
District of Columbia $39,420 $44,520
Iowa $35,250 $44,460
Minnesota $36,200 $44,450
Missouri $29,640 $43,260
Montana $33,150 $42,710
Nebraska $34,330 $42,230
Hawaii $36,960 $42,090
Michigan $33,410 $42,000
Illinois $36,310 $40,240
Delaware $31,760 $39,980
Arizona $36,120 $39,610
Wisconsin $34,140 $39,330
California $34,600 $38,830
Idaho $33,560 $38,690
Georgia $27,950 $38,600
Tennessee $30,720 $38,600
Pennsylvania $29,310 $37,830
Florida $32,580 $37,810
Indiana $31,440 $37,790
Virginia $29,190 $37,700
Ohio $30,670 $37,470
North Carolina $30,100 $37,160
Kansas $29,190 $36,980
Nevada $29,420 $35,740
South Carolina $29,030 $35,560
New Mexico $27,390 $35,330
Oklahoma $26,540 $33,730
West Virginia $26,560 $32,850
Alabama $27,100 $32,630
Arkansas $27,110 $30,930
Texas $23,470 $30,580
Mississippi $23,640 $30,110
Louisiana $21,170 $29,850

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.

💡 Top-paying states often include Alaska, North Dakota, and Massachusetts.

Education and Certification Paths

Pathway Typical Duration Outcome
HHA Certificate Program 3–6 months State certification
CNA to HHA Bridge 1–2 months Expanded patient care roles
Continuing Education Ongoing Recertification and skills updates

Career Growth and Advancement

With experience, HHAs can advance into:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Medical Assistant
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Registered Nurse (RN)

Cost and Duration of Training

  • Program Cost: $500–$2,500 depending on school and state requirements
  • Duration: 3 to 6 months
  • Certification Fees: typically $50–$200

Many training programs are offered through community colleges or healthcare agencies and may be free with employment agreements.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

  • High job demand and growth
  • Meaningful, people-focused work
  • Flexible scheduling options
  • Short training period

⚠️ Cons

  • Physically demanding work
  • Emotionally challenging situations
  • Lower starting wages compared to other healthcare roles

Start Your Home Health Aide Career Today

If you’re passionate about helping others live safely and comfortably, becoming a Home Health Aide offers a fulfilling career with purpose.

🎓 Find Home Health Aide Training Near You

Home Health Aide Salary by State

BLS OEWS, May 2024

State Median annual Top 10% annual
Washington $46,140 $53,710
Wyoming $31,280 $52,000
Oregon $41,490 $51,550
North Dakota $39,100 $48,280
Kentucky $34,810 $47,780
Rhode Island $41,890 $47,610
Maryland $36,970 $46,570
Vermont $34,260 $46,410
South Dakota $36,780 $45,980
Utah $35,970 $45,850
Alaska $38,370 $45,780
New Jersey $37,080 $45,760
Connecticut $38,200 $45,690
New York $37,980 $45,550
New Hampshire $36,610 $45,410
Maine $37,670 $45,210
Massachusetts $39,520 $44,770
Colorado $37,420 $44,680
District of Columbia $39,420 $44,520
Iowa $35,250 $44,460
Minnesota $36,200 $44,450
Missouri $29,640 $43,260
Montana $33,150 $42,710
Nebraska $34,330 $42,230
Hawaii $36,960 $42,090
Michigan $33,410 $42,000
Illinois $36,310 $40,240
Delaware $31,760 $39,980
Arizona $36,120 $39,610
Wisconsin $34,140 $39,330
California $34,600 $38,830
Idaho $33,560 $38,690
Georgia $27,950 $38,600
Tennessee $30,720 $38,600
Pennsylvania $29,310 $37,830
Florida $32,580 $37,810
Indiana $31,440 $37,790
Virginia $29,190 $37,700
Ohio $30,670 $37,470
North Carolina $30,100 $37,160
Kansas $29,190 $36,980
Nevada $29,420 $35,740
South Carolina $29,030 $35,560
New Mexico $27,390 $35,330
Oklahoma $26,540 $33,730
West Virginia $26,560 $32,850
Alabama $27,100 $32,630
Arkansas $27,110 $30,930
Texas $23,470 $30,580
Mississippi $23,640 $30,110
Louisiana $21,170 $29,850

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.

Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.

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