It’s known that most seniors would prefer to live at home, given a chance. Living at home allows senior citizens to enjoy the comfort and independence to which they have grown accustomed. However, living alone at home beyond a certain age makes one prone to various risks. Social isolation, anxiety, and depression are a few such dangers. It’s fortunate that today, elder care services are provided at home by health aides. This is a growing industry attracting new job seekers every day. If you’re passionate about giving back to the community and want to work with elders, this is the right occupation for you. Have you wondered how much certified home healthcare aides make annually?
Here’s a breakdown of the salaries certified home healthcare aides make annually and per hour:
How much does a Home Healthcare Aide (HHA) make?
Home healthcare aides are paid an average of $24,490. Their salaries range between $16,500 and $33,000 a year.
What is a Home Health Aide (HHA)?
People with chronic illnesses such as cancer and severe physical disabilities typically need support to manage their daily lives. Similarly, elders over a certain age who have debilitating disorders and health risks require supervision and care on a daily basis. Home Healthcare Aides are people who provide basic support by assisting elders or patients who wish to stay at home.
Home Health Aides may work independently at the homes of their patients, but they typically report to a registered nurse. The registered nurse is one who works at a hospital or clinic and has all the right qualifications.
Home Healthcare Aides provide elders in their care with several services that are invaluable. This is what adds to the cost of the services provided by these aids. Some of the benefits provided by Home Healthcare Aides are –
- They give seniors personalized attention and care
- Seniors get companions to interact with daily
- Seniors are allowed to keep their home and independence
- They provide professional care that’s highly likely to prevent medical emergencies
- Seniors get assistance with daily chores
- They take care of seniors’ dietary need
Interesting facts about Home Healthcare Aides
- Aging Baby Boomers are creating wide demand for Home Health Aides. Due to the rising demand for this type of aides, employment opportunities are likely to increase by 47%. This growth goes beyond what is expected of all careers as projected for 2026.
- As estimated in 2017, the median salary for Home Healthcare Aides was found to be $11.12 per hour and $23,130 per year.
- There are over 12,000 Home Healthcare Agencies in the US.
- Close to 40% of Home Healthcare Aides rely on Medicaid and food stamps for daily expenses.
- Until 2013, Home Healthcare workers were not covered under the minimum wages act. That’s because the job was placed in the same classification as babysitting, which would not classify as a full-time job. However, since 2015, the Fair Labor Standards Act has revised the minimum wages law to include Home Healthcare Aides, but not when directly hired by the family.
Home Healthcare Aide salary
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for Home Healthcare Aides as of November 2018 is $24,458 a year. But the same agency has reported salaries as high as $33,000 and as low as $16,000. This drastic difference in the lower limit and higher limit of the range is probably because salaries vary across the US. In some states, the standard of living is high, and therefore, the salaries are higher.
Most Home HealthCare Aides earn between $21,000 and $26,000 (the 25th and 75th percentiles, respectively).
What does a certified Home Healthcare Aide get as salary each year?
Certifications automatically increase the value of your skills, irrespective of your industry. Most certifications cost you less and earn you high increments in salary. In fact, you can easily calculate the exact increment that you can expect based on the certification that you complete. So, how does this manifest in the Home Healthcare industry? How much does a certified Home Healthcare Aide make each year?
A certified Home Healthcare Aide with substantial experience may earn even $40,000 in the state of Iowa.
Home Healthcare Aide wages per hour
Sometimes, Home Healthcare Aides are hired per hour by family members who need stand-ins when they’re running chores or during emergencies. On average, Home Healthcare Aides are paid $19 an hour, but there are reports of them being paid as low as $9 per hour and as high as $30 per hour.
Sometimes, the cost of this care is covered by insurance companies that the patients have subscribed to. In such instances, the rate paid per hour becomes rigid and can’t be negotiated.
24-hour live-in Home Healthcare Aide salary
On an average, Home Healthcare Aides who live-in and serve their patients through the day and night earn around $52,000 a year. This breaks down to $26.67 an hour. 24-hours live-in Home Healthcare Aides are paid extra to cover long shifts that require extra attention and care.
While the average salary of 24-hour live-in Home Healthcare Aides is $52,000, research shows that some earn as low as $22,913 while others earn as high as $88,400.
Independent Home Healthcare Aide salary
Independent Home Healthcare Aides who aren’t associated with agencies earn roughly around $15-$17 an hour. This decrease is because of the lack of guarantee that typically comes with hiring an HHA through an agency. You could, however, increase your earning potential by furnishing yourself with certifications and critical experience.
Independent Home Healthcare Aides are also likely to face difficulty earning business when competing with agencies who have set-up their websites and networks.
How to earn more as a Home Healthcare Aide?
The simplest way to increase your earning potential as a Home Healthcare Aide is by completing certifications. You may also associate yourself with an agency that is known to pay their Aides well. Additionally, it’s good to consider relocating to a State wherein the average salary for Home Healthcare Aides is high. However, with a median difference of $5000, it’s not likely that you get a significant raise even if you relocate. Finally, ensure that you garner experience and document it, so you can prove your worth to patients who need your care.
Home Healthcare Agencies that pay high
Here’s a list of some Home Healthcare Agencies that pay well.
- Serene Home Nursing Agency
- Certified Home Health Aide
- Tealwood Senior Living
- Comfort Keepers | Gainesville | Ocala | The Village…
- Home Instead Senior Care
- Benchmark Senior Living
- Right At Home
- Home Instead Senior Care
- Personal Health Care
- Benchmark Senior Living
- Home Instead Senior Care
Get additional certifications
As with any other professional, a Home Healthcare Aide is expected to have certain certifications, skills, and knowledge. There are very few needs to get recognized as a Home Healthcare Aide, but these needs are indispensable. The certification needed to get paid more as a Home Healthcare Aide is the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) certification. It can be easily and inexpensively obtained with a few months of dedicated work.
If you’re wondering what educational qualifications HHAs are expected to have, that depends on the employer. Aides who hope to receive funds from Medicare or Medicaid are required to complete formal training and meet all obligations.
Home Healthcare Aides are also required to complete physical health exams and blood tests. They are also required to be trained well in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Start your own practice
If you’re interested in starting a Home Healthcare Practice, here’s how you can:
- Formulate a business plan that accounts for expenses such as an office space, medical equipment, and nursing supplies.
- Figure out your financing and cash flow. Access Medicaid if possible.
- Get a Medicaid certification.
- Plan your staff and management structure and ensure that each employee is well-trained.
- Identify potential clients and begin marketing.
Insurance for Home Healthcare Aides
When working as a Home Healthcare Aide, it’s possible that you or someone in your agency (if you own one) commits an error. To avoid closing your agency as a result of a costly claim, you need reliable liability insurance for Home Healthcare Providers. This can take the focus away from negatives and help you build a successful career or business in Home Healthcare. This is the best way to build a reliable and effective Home Healthcare career or business that serves the elderly well.
