10. Louisiana — $27,400 Median
Louisiana sits at the low end of the national range for home health aides. The median hourly rate hovers around $13.20, and full-time hours are not guaranteed with most agencies.
The state does have shortages in rural parishes and along the Gulf. Bilingual aides (English and Spanish or French) tend to negotiate higher rates and priority scheduling.
Cost of living helps offset the pay. New Orleans and Baton Rouge have the highest wages, but rural Louisiana has the fastest wage growth as agencies compete for a shrinking workforce.
