How Much Does an HHA Make in Pennsylvania?

Home Health Aides (HHAs) are essential as they help people who need extra support with daily activities. Understanding what HHAs earn in Pennsylvania is important, especially if you’re already working as an HHA or thinking about becoming one.

In this article, we explain what influences HHA pay and how you can earn more in this caring, intimate, and rewarding field.

Defining Home Health Aides (HHAs)

Role and Responsibilities

Home health aides provide compassionate care to children with disabilities, chronic illness, or complex care needs so they can live independently in the comfort of their homes. Your primary work as an HHA includes assisting with everyday tasks and other important responsibilities, such as:

• Hygiene and Grooming: Helping with bathing, using the restroom, brushing their teeth, combing their hair, and other personal care stuff.
• Mobility: Assisting patients to move safely around their homes and taking them to appointments or running errands.
• Medication and Health: Making sure patients take their meds on schedule and keeping an eye on their overall health and well-being.

Certification and Training Requirements

To become a Certified HHA in Pennsylvania, you need to complete a state-approved training program. This program includes at least 75 hours of instruction, with 16 hours dedicated to clinical practice. You can complete your certification through various state-approved programs offered by community colleges, vocational schools, nursing facilities, and home health agencies.

After finishing your training, you’ll take a competency exam to show what you’ve learned and demonstrate your skills. Once you pass the exam, you’ll need to undergo a criminal background check and get listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. To keep your HHA certification current, you’ll also need to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education every year.

Demand for HHAs in Pennsylvania

There’s a growing need for home health aides in Pennsylvania. More and more people need healthcare services that allow them to stay in their own homes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2022 to 2032, there will be 22% more jobs for home health aides — much faster than the average for all occupations.

This increasing demand is because many children with special needs need help with daily tasks. HHAs play a key role in helping them stay at home and maintain their quality of life.

Factors Influencing HHA Salaries

• Geographic Location Within Pennsylvania: HHA salaries in Pennsylvania can vary depending on where you work. Big cities like Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Drexel Hill tend to pay more. That’s because the cost of living is higher in those areas, and there’s a bigger need for home health aides. If you work in a rural area, you might get paid less.
• Experience and Education Levels: You don’t need a college degree to be a home health aide, but getting extra training and certifications can help you earn more money. HHAs with more experience under their belts and specialized skills can usually demand higher wages. Continuing education can also lead to better pay.
• Overtime Pay: Overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week can boost overall earnings, leading to higher income beyond the base salary.
• Additional Certifications and Specializations: Earning certifications in areas like dementia care, hospice care, or pediatric care can make you qualify for higher salaries because specialized certifications make HHAs more valuable to employers and clients. Additionally, HHAs who work in hospitals or for the government tend to receive higher pay than those in other settings.

Average HHA Salaries in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, HHAs earn around $14 per hour, which translates to approximately $30,000 annually. That said, salaries can range from $25,000 to over $35,000 per year, depending on where you live, your experience, specialized certification, and the setting where you work.

The bottom line is, while there’s some variation, the average pay for Home Health Aides doesn’t differ too much across different states and cities. This consistency means you can find stable and rewarding work as an HHA, no matter where you live.

Strategies for Maximizing HHA Income

Continuing Education and Skill Development

To make the most of your HHA career, it’s essential to keep learning and growing to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and best practices. Here are a few ways to do this:

• Get More Training. Consider getting advanced certifications like Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to show you’re committed to your work and willing to learn more.
• Specialize in an Area. Invest in specialized training in areas like wound care, medication management, or palliative care to make yourself more valuable to clients and employers.

Exploring Opportunities for Advancement

To maximize your income as an HHA, look for opportunities to advance in your career. This could mean moving into supervisory roles, specializing in specific areas of care, or transitioning into related fields like nursing or healthcare management.

Conclusion

To wrap up, figuring out how much you can make as an HHA in Pennsylvania depends on where you live, your experience, and any extra certifications you have. It’s important to invest time in continuing education and seek opportunities to advance. This way, you can increase your income and have a fulfilling career.

For more information and resources, you’re welcome to contact us at Abby Care, your trusted provider of the family HHA program in Pennsylvania.‍

Sources

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Hha-Salary--in-Pennsylvania#Yearly

https://www.pahomecare.org/what-is-home-health-

https://blog.bayada.com/work-life/main-jobs-of-a-home-health-aide

https://www.healthcareadministrationedu.org/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-salary/

https://resources.workable.com/home-health-aide-job-description