How to Become A Home Health Aide in Maine
Maine employs approximately 18,630 home health aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,580 1. Nationally, home health aide employment is projected to grow 17.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 765,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a home health aide in Maine, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Home Health Aide in Maine
How do I become a home health aide in Maine? Maine requires credentials such as Certified Nursing Assistants. The licensing authority is the Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Maine? Yes. Maine has licensing or registration requirements for home health aides. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home health aides earn in Maine? The median annual wage for home health aides in Maine is $38,580 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,130 and experienced professionals can earn $46,860 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification
- Median wage (Maine): $38,580 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Home Health Aide License Requirements in Maine
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification oversees home health aide licensing in Maine 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistants | Certified nursing assistants assist RNs in their duties. To be placed on the Maine CNA Registry, you must be able to provide official documentation of formal CNA training that meets Maine’s Rules and… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Health Aide Wages by Metro Area in Maine
Home Health and Personal Care Aides Wages by Metro Area in Maine
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), home health and personal care aides wages in Maine vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 8,150 | $38,580 | $40,370 | $35,790 | $46,940 |
| Bangor | 2,290 | $37,900 | $38,840 | $34,160 | $44,900 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 1,870 | $38,240 | $39,150 | $35,130 | $45,180 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Home health aides in Maine
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home health aide employment within Maine according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 8,150 | $38,580 |
| Bangor | 2,290 | $37,900 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 1,870 | $38,240 |
Explore More Trades in Maine
- Electrician in Maine
- Plumber in Maine
- HVAC Technician in Maine
- Welder in Maine
- Carpenter in Maine
- Solar Installation Technician in Maine
- Auto Mechanic in Maine
- CNC Machinist in Maine
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Maine
- Medical Assistant in Maine
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home health aides in Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 18,630 home health aides 1. Nationally, home health aide employment is projected to grow 17.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a home health aide in Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maine.
How much do home health aides earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home health aides in Maine is $38,580, which is $3,680 above the national median of $34,900 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/dlc/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |