Table of Contents
What is the average incentive bonus for a Home Health RN Job?Employed vs. self-employed Home Health RN Job2. Does location affect a home health nurse’s salary?3. Do home health nurses get paid per visit or hourly?4. What factors influence a home health nurse’s salary?5. Do home health nurses get paid more than hospital nurses?Home Health RN Job Description
A home health nurse cares for patients in their own homes. They evaluate both the patient and their environment, administer medications, injections, IV therapy, and monitor vital signs. They also educate patients and their caregivers on disease or injury management. They work independently but in coordination with physicians and other HCPs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2033. The demand for home health nurses is expected to grow due to an aging population, advancement in technology, and the preference for in-home care vs. institutional care.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Home Health RN Jobs in the US
The salary for a home health nurse is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to Zippia.com, the highest and lowest paying states for home health RNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Home Health RNs:
1. Massachusetts
2. Connecticut
3. Washington
4. Delaware
5. California
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Home Health RNs:
1. Nebraska
2. Iowa
3. North Carolina
4. Mississippi
5. Alabama
The state salary data varies between sources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/home-care-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The salary for a home health nurse in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and employing institution. An entry-level salary is approximately $56,600 per year and increases with experience. The average salary for a home health RN is $94,480 per year, or $45.42 per hour. The median salary is around $93,600 annually.
A traveling home health nurse earns a higher hourly rate because of the temporary nature of their job. The average salary for a travel home health nurse is about $2,259 per week or $117,468 per year.
Average Home Health RN Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $56,612 | $1,088 | $27.22 |
| Alaska | $80,549 | $1,549 | $38.73 |
| Arizona | $66,967 | $1,288 | $32.20 |
| Arkansas | $59,395 | $1,142 | $28.56 |
| California | $98,421 | $1,892 | $47.32 |
| Colorado | $70,047 | $1,347 | $33.68 |
| Connecticut | $85,222 | $1,639 | $40.97 |
| Delaware | $84,180 | $1,619 | $40.47 |
| Florida | $56,657 | $1,090 | $27.24 |
| Georgia | $61,914 | $1,190 | $29.77 |
| Hawaii | $85,463 | $1,643 | $41.09 |
| Idaho | $73,072 | $1,405 | $35.13 |
| Illinois | $70,535 | $1,356 | $33.91 |
| Indiana | $52,767 | $1,014 | $25.37 |
| Iowa | $48,569 | $934 | $23.35 |
| Kansas | $61,414 | $1,181 | $29.53 |
| Kentucky | $56,434 | $1,085 | $27.13 |
| Louisiana | $57,346 | $1,102 | $27.57 |
| Maine | $71,048 | $1,366 | $34.16 |
| Maryland | $75,788 | $1,457 | $36.44 |
| Massachusetts | $88,262 | $1,697 | $42.43 |
| Michigan | $72,351 | $1,391 | $34.78 |
| Minnesota | $70,773 | $1,361 | $34.03 |
| Mississippi | $53,958 | $1,038 | $25.94 |
| Missouri | $62,372 | $1,208 | $29.99 |
| Montana | $62,275 | $1,199 | $29.94 |
| Nebraska | $54,201 | $1,042 | $26.06 |
| Nevada | $73,367 | $1,411 | $35.27 |
| New Hampshire | $72,200 | $1,388 | $34.71 |
| New Jersey | $87,294 | $1,679 | $41.97 |
| New Mexico | $59,066 | $1,135 | $28.40 |
| New York | $87,484 | $1,682 | $42.06 |
| North Carolina | $54,726 | $1,052 | $26.31 |
| North Dakota | $60,468 | $1,163 | $29.07 |
| Ohio | $62,838 | $1,208 | $30.21 |
| Oklahoma | $64,368 | $1,237 | $30.95 |
| Oregon | $91,492 | $1,759 | $43.99 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,234 | $1,389 | $34.73 |
| Rhode Island | $86,825 | $1,669 | $41.74 |
| South Carolina | $61,100 | $1,175 | $29.38 |
| South Dakota | $54,182 | $1,042 | $26.05 |
| Tennessee | $55,581 | $1,069 | $26.72 |
| Texas | $64,978 | $1,250 | $31.24 |
| Utah | $62,067 | $1,194 | $29.84 |
| Vermont | $62,142 | $1,195 | $29.88 |
| Virginia | $66,709 | $1,283 | $32.07 |
| Washington | $89,448 | $1,720 | $43.00 |
| West Virginia | $63,452 | $1,220 | $30.51 |
| Wisconsin | $78,581 | $1,511 | $37.78 |
| Wyoming | $62,322 | $1,199 | $29.96 |
**Data from Zippia
Average Home Health RN Job Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $91,665 | $1,762 | $44.07 |
| Alaska | $108,913 | $2,094 | $52.36 |
| Arizona | $94,244 | $1,812 | $45.31 |
| Arkansas | $83,626 | $1,608 | $40.20 |
| California | $99,808 | $1,919 | $47.98 |
| Colorado | $106,342 | $2,045 | $51.13 |
| Connecticut | $96,205 | $1,850 | $46.25 |
| Delaware | $101,219 | $1,946 | $48.66 |
| Florida | $75,575 | $1,453 | $36.33 |
| Georgia | $85,394 | $1,642 | $41.05 |
| Hawaii | $105,072 | $2,020 | $50.52 |
| Idaho | $95,154 | $1,829 | $45.75 |
| Illinois | $97,999 | $1,884 | $47.11 |
| Indiana | $96,233 | $1,850 | $46.27 |
| Iowa | $94,990 | $1,826 | $45.67 |
| Kansas | $90,194 | $1,734 | $43.36 |
| Kentucky | $87,836 | $1,689 | $42.23 |
| Louisiana | $86,480 | $1,663 | $41.58 |
| Maine | $97,916 | $1,883 | $47.08 |
| Maryland | $98,153 | $1,887 | $47.19 |
| Massachusetts | $110,449 | $2,124 | $53.10 |
| Michigan | $88,146 | $1,695 | $42.38 |
| Minnesota | $99,050 | $1,904 | $47.62 |
| Mississippi | $95,779 | $1,841 | $46.05 |
| Missouri | $94,862 | $1,824 | $45.61 |
| Montana | $92,823 | $1,785 | $44.63 |
| Nebraska | $96,424 | $1,854 | $46.36 |
| Nevada | $102,983 | $1,980 | $49.51 |
| New Hampshire | $98,352 | $1,891 | $47.28 |
| New Jersey | $102,673 | $1,974 | $49.36 |
| New Mexico | $98,004 | $1,884 | $47.12 |
| New York | $110,642 | $2,127 | $53.19 |
| North Carolina | $91,909 | $1,767 | $44.19 |
| North Dakota | $107,006 | $2,057 | $51.45 |
| Ohio | $96,146 | $1,848 | $46.22 |
| Oklahoma | $93,379 | $1,795 | $44.89 |
| Oregon | $106,925 | $2,056 | $51.41 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,375 | $1,949 | $48.74 |
| Rhode Island | $99,040 | $1,904 | $47.62 |
| South Carolina | $93,846 | $1,804 | $45.12 |
| South Dakota | $101,132 | $1,944 | $48.62 |
| Tennessee | $91,789 | $1,765 | $44.13 |
| Texas | $94,220 | $1,811 | $45.30 |
| Utah | $92,068 | $1,770 | $44.26 |
| Vermont | $107,529 | $2,067 | $51.70 |
| Virginia | $100,264 | $1,928 | $48.20 |
| Washington | $114,542 | $2,202 | $55.07 |
| West Virginia | $78,293 | $1,505 | $37.64 |
| Wisconsin | $102,078 | $1,963 | $49.08 |
| Wyoming | $97,210 | $1,869 | $46.74 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter
What is the average incentive bonus for a Home Health RN Job?
A home health nurse can receive many types of bonuses including sign-on, performance, referral, retention, productivity, and holiday/shift bonuses. Sign-on bonuses can range from $2,000 to $15,000 depending on demand and location. They may be eligible for a retention bonus if they stay with the agency for a certain time to reduce turnover. Many home health nurses can earn bonuses for taking on more shifts or holidays which are usually a percentage uplift (ex. 1.5x base rate) or a flat bonus amount. They may also earn performance bonuses based on their productivity, patient satisfaction scores or a bonus after they exceed a baseline number of visits per week.
Employed vs. self-employed Home Health RN Job
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed home health RNs. Those employed have a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, education reimbursement, and paid time off. They usually work for a hospital system or home health agency and have less financial risk.
A self-employed or travel home health RN works independently through a staffing agency. They often have higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan. They may also have certain tax advantages.
Most common benefits for a Home Health RN
Being a home health RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1.Autonomy and Independence- Nurses manage their own schedules and make their own clinical decisions.
2. Flexible Scheduling- Home health nurses can work non-traditional hours and have a better work-life balance.
3. Job Security- Home health is a fast-growing specialization due to the aging population’s preference for at-home care.
4. Clinical Experience- Home health nurses perform a variety of clinical care for a wide range of patients. They gain valuable experience in wound care, medication management, IV delivery, and palliative care.
5. Professional Advancement- Home health nursing is a pathway toward being a case manager, nurse practitioner or clinical supervisor.
6.Meaningful Patient Relationships- Home nurses care for patients for long periods of time allowing them to build trusting relationships with their patients and families.
7.Geographical Freedom-The ability to work in many states allows travel home health nurses a sense of adventure and freedom.
7.Reduced Workplace Stress– A home nurse has doesn’t have to deal with hospital bureaucracy, emergencies and has a lower patient to nurse ratio which can reduce burnout.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the average salary for a home health nurse?
In the U.S., home health nurses earn around between $80,000 to $94,000 per year. Hourly rates range from $35 to $45 depending on experience, certifications, location, and travel.
2. Does location affect a home health nurse’s salary?
Yes, Home nurses in states like California, New York, and Massachusetts earn more than those in other states. Urban areas may pay more than rural areas due to the cost of living.
3. Do home health nurses get paid per visit or hourly?
They may be paid either way. If they are paid per visit, they can expect $50-100 per visit, or they may be paid an hourly wage. Some agencies offer a hybrid plan or a productivity bonus.
4. What factors influence a home health nurse’s salary?
Factors that impact a home health nurse’s salary include education and experience level, geographic location, certifications, shift differentials, and type of employer.
5. Do home health nurses get paid more than hospital nurses?
Hospital nurses often have a higher base salary but may work more demanding shifts. In contrast, home health nurses may have more flexibility, less stress, and can earn more through bonuses, travel positions or if they are offered a per-visit incentive.
Now that you know what Home Health nurses earn, make sure your resume is ready to land the job. Check out our step-by-step Home Health Nurse Resume Guide to stand out and get hired!