How to Become A Home Health Aide in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 95,020 home health aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,000 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 Michigan, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Home Health Aide in Michigan
How do I become a home health aide in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Nurse Aide, Certified (C.N.A.). The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems 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 Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for home health aides. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home health aides earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for home health aides in Michigan is $35,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,880 and experienced professionals can earn $42,790 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems
- Median wage (Michigan): $35,000 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Home Health Aide License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems oversees home health aide licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurse Aide, Certified (C.N.A.) | To become a CNA, new candidates must first complete a Michigan approved training course. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Health Aide Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Home Health and Personal Care Aides Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), home health and personal care aides wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 46,480 | $35,120 | $34,830 | $25,960 | $42,700 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 8,160 | $34,910 | $34,690 | $28,110 | $42,670 |
| Flint | 4,090 | $34,740 | $34,250 | $29,250 | $41,880 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 3,730 | $34,240 | $33,640 | $25,960 | $38,450 |
| Ann Arbor | 3,410 | $36,710 | $37,330 | $30,400 | $44,280 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 3,240 | $34,790 | $34,050 | $28,720 | $37,670 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 2,970 | $35,270 | $34,830 | $29,970 | $43,280 |
| Midland | 2,700 | $36,950 | $37,370 | $28,460 | $42,700 |
| Jackson | 1,700 | $34,180 | $34,740 | $28,430 | $44,630 |
| Saginaw | 1,570 | $34,060 | $33,170 | $25,980 | $37,090 |
| Battle Creek | 1,440 | $36,130 | $36,750 | $29,900 | $45,190 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 1,440 | $34,950 | $35,430 | $28,610 | $44,140 |
| Traverse City | 1,050 | $36,480 | $38,070 | $29,670 | $46,740 |
| Bay City | 1,040 | $34,100 | $34,150 | $27,040 | $40,830 |
| Niles | 1,010 | $30,540 | $32,960 | $29,900 | $37,060 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 930 | $35,170 | $35,040 | $29,710 | $37,290 |
| Monroe | 770 | $34,290 | $34,110 | $27,670 | $42,230 |
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 Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home health aide employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 46,480 | $35,120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 8,160 | $34,910 |
| Flint | 4,090 | $34,740 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 3,730 | $34,240 |
| Ann Arbor | 3,410 | $36,710 |
Explore More Trades in Michigan
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- CNC Machinist in Michigan
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Michigan
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home health aides in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 95,020 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 Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan.
How much do home health aides earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home health aides in Michigan is $35,000, which is $100 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_63294—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |