How Much Does a Home Health Aide Make in Mississippi in 2026?

A typical Home Health Aide in Mississippi earns about $11.47 per hour ($23,860 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). When calculated from the annual figure, this works out to roughly $1,988 per month. That compensation translates to approximately $459 per week for full-time direct care work across the state.

Statewide earnings sit 33% below the national annual figure of $35,800, where typical hourly compensation is $17.21. This places Mississippi at rank 50 out of 51 ranked jurisdictions nationwide. Mississippi supports a workforce of 21,800 home health aides, contributing to a national total of 4,305,810 caregivers.

Entry-level positions in Mississippi typically offer around $10.52 per hour, which equals roughly $21,870 annually for those starting out. Workers in the lower quarter of the wage scale bring home approximately $11.09 hourly, or $23,070 per year. Pay typically moves toward the statewide rate of $11.47 as aides acquire basic caregiving competencies over their initial years.

Experienced home health aides often earn upwards of $13.12 per hour, reaching $27,300 on an annual basis. The top 10% of earners make over $14.24 per hour, which translates to more than $29,620 per year. This creates an entry-to-top spread of $7,750 across the state. Clinical work settings, specialized client certifications, and geographic location account for these wage variations.

Between 2019 and 2025, annual pay for home health aides in Mississippi increased from $20,490 to $23,860. This historical movement reflects an absolute dollar gain of $3,370 over the recorded timeframe. The overall shift represents a 16% rise in wages for direct care workers across the state.

By contrast, the national direct care workforce experienced a 42% wage increase over the same multi-year window. Mississippi saw more moderate growth that moved at a steady rate. For someone entering the profession today, pay has moved up steadily, though compensation gains depend on employer funding and local market conditions.

Earnings reach their highest point along the Gulf Coast, where the Gulfport metropolitan area employs 1,530 aides and pays $26,020 per year ($12.51 per hour). This top-paying metro sits 9% above the statewide benchmark. Nearby Biloxi matches that identical pay and employment level, while Hattiesburg follows closely behind with 1,460 aides earning $25,410 annually ($12.22 hourly).

Jackson records the lowest pay among surveyed metros at $23,130 annually, or $11.12 hourly. Jackson also hosts the largest local workforce with 7,800 employed aides. Across Mississippi, these numbers produce a city wage spread of $2,890. Lower pay in inland communities often reflects reduced housing and living costs.

Tennessee provides the highest regional benchmark at $32,130 annually, which is 35% higher than Mississippi. Alabama at $27,840 (17% higher) and Arkansas at $27,660 (16% higher) also outpace local earnings. Conversely, Louisiana sits 6% lower with typical annual compensation of $22,520. Licensure or registry status in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby jurisdiction through standard credential reciprocity processes.

Home health aides in Mississippi earn typical annual compensation of $23,860, having gained $3,370 across the recorded decade. While statewide earnings remain below broader benchmarks, daily living costs are similarly reduced. Individuals planning a caregiving career should consult the state registry page for specific training requirements. Reviewing individual city pages will provide detailed local wage figures for specific communities.