How to Become A Home Health Aide in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 70,070 home health aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $30,300 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 Virginia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Home Health Aide in Virginia
How to become a home health aide in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Nurse Aide, Certified, Nurse Aide, Certified Advanced. The licensing authority is the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing 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 Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for home health aides. The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home health aides earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for home health aides in Virginia is $30,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $26,980 and experienced professionals can earn $40,650 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: Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Virginia): $30,300 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Home Health Aide License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing oversees home health aide licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurse Aide, Certified | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
| Nurse Aide, Certified Advanced | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Health Aide Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Home Health and Personal Care Aides Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), home health and personal care aides wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 50,450 | $38,530 | $39,110 | $30,670 | $46,080 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 13,650 | $28,420 | $30,690 | $26,090 | $37,190 |
| Richmond | 11,570 | $29,360 | $32,690 | $27,630 | $38,420 |
| Roanoke | 2,190 | $27,540 | $30,240 | $26,260 | $35,970 |
| Lynchburg | 2,120 | $27,810 | $30,340 | $26,710 | $36,040 |
| Charlottesville | 1,970 | $29,700 | $32,030 | $27,310 | $38,330 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 1,290 | $29,760 | $31,300 | $25,810 | $39,270 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 1,090 | $28,520 | $31,010 | $26,210 | $37,130 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 1,050 | $29,700 | $32,700 | $27,540 | $42,060 |
| Winchester | 980 | $29,240 | $31,730 | $26,730 | $40,940 |
| Harrisonburg | 800 | $28,820 | $31,310 | $26,240 | $36,820 |
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 .
Top Metros for Home health aides in Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home health aide employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 13,650 | $28,420 |
| Richmond | 11,570 | $29,360 |
| Roanoke | 2,190 | $27,540 |
| Lynchburg | 2,120 | $27,810 |
| Charlottesville | 1,970 | $29,700 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home health aides in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 70,070 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 Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do home health aides earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home health aides in Virginia is $30,300, which is $4,600 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |