How to Become A Home Health Aide in Ohio
Ohio employs approximately 106,940 home health aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,460 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 Ohio, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Home Health Aide in Ohio
How do I become a home health aide in Ohio? Ohio requires credentials such as Home Health Aide Competency, State Tested Nurse Aide. The licensing authority is the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice 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 Ohio? Yes. Ohio has licensing or registration requirements for home health aides. The Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home health aides earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for home health aides in Ohio is $34,460 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,370 and experienced professionals can earn $39,530 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: Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice
- Median wage (Ohio): $34,460 per year 1
Home Health Aide License Requirements in Ohio
The Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice oversees home health aide licensing in Ohio 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Home Health Aide Competency | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| State Tested Nurse Aide | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Health Aide Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Home Health and Personal Care Aides Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), home health and personal care aides wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 27,580 | $34,880 | $35,230 | $28,850 | $42,110 |
| Cleveland | 19,400 | $34,520 | $34,290 | $29,080 | $38,550 |
| Cincinnati | 16,470 | $35,210 | $35,740 | $29,020 | $45,890 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 7,070 | $34,980 | $34,370 | $28,810 | $37,960 |
| Akron | 6,310 | $34,310 | $33,910 | $27,840 | $38,800 |
| Toledo | 5,430 | $34,550 | $34,090 | $29,080 | $38,260 |
| Canton-Massillon | 4,580 | $31,850 | $33,040 | $27,160 | $37,050 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 3,840 | $31,330 | $32,480 | $27,970 | $36,650 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 3,620 | $28,740 | $30,820 | $23,270 | $39,790 |
| Wheeling | 1,190 | $29,190 | $29,940 | $23,620 | $35,710 |
| Mansfield | 880 | $30,400 | $31,840 | $26,360 | $36,700 |
| Sandusky | 850 | $35,480 | $34,370 | $29,350 | $37,250 |
| Lima | 810 | $31,980 | $33,120 | $28,700 | $37,980 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 770 | $28,550 | $29,730 | $23,640 | $35,170 |
| Springfield | 630 | $34,860 | $33,900 | $27,950 | $39,890 |
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 Ohio
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home health aide employment within Ohio according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 27,580 | $34,880 |
| Cleveland | 19,400 | $34,520 |
| Cincinnati | 16,470 | $35,210 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 7,070 | $34,980 |
| Akron | 6,310 | $34,310 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home health aides in Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 106,940 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 Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Ohio.
How much do home health aides earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home health aides in Ohio is $34,460, which is $440 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice - Licensing Information: https://www.ochch.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |