How to Become A Home Health Aide in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 128,680 home health aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,370 1. The state’s concentration of home health aide jobs is 1.58x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Minnesota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Home Health Aide in Minnesota
How do I become a home health aide in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Nurse Aide Registry (NAR), Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). The licensing authority is the Minnesota Department of Health - Division of Health Policy and Systems Compliance 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 Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for home health aides. The Minnesota Department of Health - Division of Health Policy and Systems Compliance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home health aides earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for home health aides in Minnesota is $38,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,000 and experienced professionals can earn $46,650 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: Minnesota Department of Health - Division of Health Policy and Systems Compliance
- Median wage (Minnesota): $38,370 per year 1
Home Health Aide License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health - Division of Health Policy and Systems Compliance oversees home health aide licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) | The Nurse Aide Registry lists nursing assistants who have met Minnesota training and/or testing standards to work in nursing homes and certified boarding care homes. |
| Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) | Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Review: Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) Training and Tests Community First Services and Supports See: Perso… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Health Aide Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Home Health and Personal Care Aides Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), home health and personal care aides wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 93,560 | $38,860 | $40,250 | $33,760 | $46,860 |
| Duluth | 5,660 | $36,390 | $37,330 | $31,240 | $44,790 |
| Rochester | 4,260 | $39,270 | $40,080 | $35,550 | $46,280 |
| Mankato | 3,170 | $37,560 | $38,700 | $32,600 | $48,070 |
| St. Cloud | 3,140 | $37,100 | $37,950 | $31,130 | $45,180 |
| Fargo | 3,130 | $37,910 | $40,280 | $35,110 | $49,190 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 2,130 | $37,140 | $36,420 | $29,080 | $44,030 |
| Sioux Falls | 1,660 | $38,060 | $40,320 | $33,550 | $47,860 |
| Grand Forks | 1,350 | $41,080 | $40,750 | $34,140 | $46,150 |
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 Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home health aide employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 93,560 | $38,860 |
| Duluth | 5,660 | $36,390 |
| Rochester | 4,260 | $39,270 |
| Mankato | 3,170 | $37,560 |
| St. Cloud | 3,140 | $37,100 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home health aides in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 128,680 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 Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the Minnesota Department of Health - Division of Health Policy and Systems Compliance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.
How much do home health aides earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home health aides in Minnesota is $38,370, which is $3,470 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Minnesota Department of Health - Division of Health Policy and Systems Compliance - Licensing Information: http://www.health.state.mn.us ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |