Working as a home health aide or personal care aide is a challenging position as you are intimately involved with the day-to-day care of people with disabilities, chronic illnesses are cognitive impairment. Home health aides work in a variety of settings, including group homes, daycare services programs, and client’s homes.
A home health aides salary is not consistent in different areas of the country and can vary based on several factors. A person needs only a high school diploma or equivalent to work as a home health aide, and some agencies do not require this. So how much is a home health aide salary?
Home Health Aide Salary Range
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay in 2018 for a home health aide was $11.57 per hour or $24,060 per year. No work experience is needed to enter healthcare as a home health aide and most agencies will provide short-term on-the-job training. The job outlook for the following 10 years, ending in 2028, is estimated to have a much faster rise in demand than other jobs. The projected percent change is 36% rise as opposed to the average 5% rise in other positions. Indeed.com estimates the average base salary is $12.13 per hour as of 2020 with an average of $4,000 overtime each year.
However, that’s an average salary across the U.S. People who have 6 years or more experience can start at a higher salary, up to an average of $12.97. They also breakdown the average salary per hour based on location. For instance, the average in Brooklyn, New York, based on 390 salaries reported, is $16.47 per hour. The lowest was Columbus Ohio based on 422 salaries reported at $11.54 per hour. The top states where home health aides learn in the top 25% are along the west coast, North Dakota, Michigan, and Alaska.
How Can You Earn More?
Although home health aides Can Begin work with a high school diploma, they can earn more by earning certifications or other licenses. For instance, a home health aide with infusion experience can earn 73.46% more than the average base salary. People with tube feeding experience may earn 14.53% more than the average base salary.
Home health aides with wound care experience or certification can earn 35.54% more. One option for wound care certification is an online education such as offered through Vohra Wound Physicians. The certification is recognized throughout the U.S. and helps home health aides maximize their salary.
Working with an agency also helps a home health aide improve their salary as many will offer liability insurance. Working with Anodyne offers home health aides direct deposit, health insurance, paid holidays, and sick pay. These added benefits help reduce a person’s overhead costs and thus increase the amount of take-home pay each month.
Are You Ready to Work in Healthcare? Anodyne is Here to Help!
When you are ready to start working in healthcare or to find your next client, then we are ready to help support your efforts, look for job openings in our area and help prepare you for your next interview. Contact our professional recruiters today and let’s get started preparing you for a great job next year.