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

A typical Home Health Aide in Tennessee earns about $15.45 per hour ($32,130 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). When calculated from the annual figure, this comes out to $2,678 per month or about $618 per week. These earnings reflect base compensation for full-time schedules across the state.

Statewide compensation sits 10% below the national annual figure of $35,800. This places Tennessee at rank 37 among 51 states and territories for caregiver earnings. Lower pay in the state usually tracks lower living costs relative to the rest of the nation. Approximately 35,950 home health aides work throughout Tennessee, representing a substantial statewide caregiving workforce.

Entry-level positions in Tennessee typically offer around $13.50 per hour, which equals $28,090 annually for newer aides. Starting pay generally reflects limited direct home care background and basic onboarding requirements. With steady workplace experience and established care routines, earnings move toward the typical state figure within a few years.

Experienced care providers often earn upwards of $16.96 hourly or $35,280 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $18.34 per hour, translating to more than $38,150 per year. Across the entire workforce, the entry-to-top spread equals $10,060. Differences in clinical setting, years on the job, and metropolitan location largely separate these earnings brackets.

Wage tracking since 2019 shows steady progress for care aides across Tennessee. Statewide annual pay rose from $21,740 in that first recorded year to $32,130 in 2025. That shift represents a cumulative dollar gain of $10,390 for local caregivers. Annual compensation advanced through steady yearly increments during this timeframe.

Across the country, typical compensation experienced a decade rise of 42%. Tennessee kept pace through steady dollar gains, though the overall rate reflects regional wage patterns. For someone starting now, pay has moved up over time, although future gains depend on healthcare funding and broader economic conditions.

Compensation runs highest in the Nashville metropolitan area, where typical earnings reach $16.53 per hour ($34,380 annually). Reported city figures cover each city's full metropolitan area. Pay in this central region sits 7% above the statewide benchmark. Nearby communities including Knoxville at $32,710 and Chattanooga at $32,670 also maintain rates above the state typical pay.

At the other end of the range, Johnson City reports the lowest typical rate at $14.12 per hour, or $29,360 annually. That creates a statewide city spread of $5,020 between regional markets. Nashville supports the largest workforce with 9,420 employed aides. Higher compensation in larger urban hubs generally offsets greater local housing and everyday living expenses.

Tennessee borders eight states with varied wage levels. Kentucky offers the highest neighboring pay at $36,440, while Missouri also pays higher at $33,080. In contrast, several surrounding states report lower earnings, led by Mississippi at $23,860, Arkansas at $27,660, Alabama at $27,840, Georgia at $29,270, Virginia at $30,300, and North Carolina at $31,240. Caregiver credentials earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby jurisdiction through standard reciprocity procedures.

Home health aides in Tennessee currently earn typical pay of $32,130 per year ($15.45 per hour). Statewide earnings have grown by $10,390 over the recorded decade, reflecting ongoing gains in healthcare compensation. Readers evaluating opportunities should visit the state licensing and registry page to review mandatory certification standards. Consulting individual city pages provides detailed figures for local job markets across Tennessee.