Career Guide
Careers in Home Health Care
The home health sector is one of the fastest-growing in healthcare — driven by an aging population, hospital capacity constraints, and a strong patient preference for care at home. Here's what you need to know.
9%
Projected job growth (2023–2033)
Faster than average — Bureau of Labor Statistics
12,157+
Medicare-certified agencies hiring
Nationwide, sourced from CMS Provider Data
#1
Patient preference for care setting
90% of seniors prefer to age at home
In-Demand Roles
Registered Nurse (RN)
Provide skilled nursing visits, wound care, medication management, and patient education in patient homes. Home health RNs carry lighter caseloads than hospital counterparts with greater schedule flexibility.
Typical salary: $72,000 – $105,000
Physical Therapist (PT)
Help patients regain mobility and strength after surgery, injury, or illness. Home-based PT allows you to build deeper patient relationships and see real-world functional improvement.
Typical salary: $80,000 – $115,000
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Evaluate home environments and train patients in daily living activities. OTs in home health play a key role in fall prevention and discharge success.
Typical salary: $78,000 – $110,000
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders in post-acute patients. SLPs in home health often serve patients transitioning from hospitals or SNFs.
Typical salary: $82,000 – $118,000
Home Health Aide (HHA)
Assist patients with personal care, mobility, and daily routines under the supervision of a nurse. One of the most in-demand entry-level roles in healthcare.
Typical salary: $28,000 – $42,000
Care Coordinator / Case Manager
Manage patient caseloads, coordinate between clinical teams and payers, and ensure smooth transitions from hospital to home. Typically requires an RN or social work background.
Typical salary: $58,000 – $88,000
Medical Social Worker (MSW)
Address psychosocial barriers to recovery, connect patients with community resources, and support family caregivers. Integral to the interdisciplinary home health team.
Typical salary: $52,000 – $78,000
Agency Administrator / Director
Oversee agency operations, compliance, staffing, and growth strategy. Most states require specific licensure. High demand as the sector consolidates.
Typical salary: $90,000 – $145,000
How to Find Agencies Hiring Near You
Our directory lists every Medicare-certified home health agency in the US with contact information. Most agencies post open positions on their websites or through healthcare job boards. Start by finding agencies in your target geography, then contact them directly.
Licensing & Credentials
State Licensure
Clinical roles (RN, PT, OT, SLP) require active state licensure. Many states participate in licensure compacts (NLC, PT Compact) allowing multi-state practice — valuable for home health travel roles.
Medicare Conditions of Participation
Agencies must comply with CMS Conditions of Participation. Staff should understand documentation requirements for Medicare billing — OASIS assessments, visit notes, and care planning are central to compliance.
HHA Certification
Home health aides require state-approved training (typically 75+ hours) and competency evaluation. Some states require additional certification through a state registry.
CHHA / CHPN Credentials
Voluntary credentials like Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) or Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) can improve employability and demonstrate specialty commitment.