Home Health and Personal Care Aide Salary in Washington, DC
Home Health and Personal Care Aides in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $38,530 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,993 take-home, or $2,666 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median home health and personal care aide salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,444
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,389
- Medicare (1.45%)$559
- District of Columbia income tax$1,146
- Take-home pay$31,993
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Home Health and Personal Care Aide pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,670 | $14.75 | $26,149 | $2,179 |
| 25th percentile | $34,270 | $16.48 | $28,826 | $2,402 |
| Median (50th) | $38,530 | $18.52 | $31,993 | $2,666 |
| 75th percentile | $43,060 | $20.70 | $35,361 | $2,947 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,080 | $22.15 | $37,606 | $3,134 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,530 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median home health and personal care aide's $31,993 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,383 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Home Health and Personal Care Aide jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.58), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for home health and personal care aides, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #97 of 180 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grants Pass, OR | $53,120 | $41,044 | $41,984 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $47,810 | $40,595 | $40,563 |
| 3 | Spokane, WA | $47,410 | $40,274 | $40,135 |
| 4 | Yakima, WA | $44,490 | $37,928 | $39,696 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $48,210 | $40,917 | $36,818 |
| 6 | Bellingham, WA | $44,080 | $37,598 | $36,385 |
| 7 | Olympia, WA | $44,060 | $37,582 | $36,252 |
| 8 | Fargo, ND | $37,910 | $32,641 | $35,920 |
| 97 | Washington, DC | $38,530 | $31,993 | $29,383 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 180 metros →
About the job: home health and personal care aides
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +18.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a home health and personal care aide make in Washington, DC?
The median home health and personal care aide salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $38,530 a year, or about $18.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,270 and $43,060.
What is a home health and personal care aide’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $38,530 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $31,993 a year ($2,666 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,146 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a home health and personal care aide?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $35,800. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,383 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #97 of 180 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a home health and personal care aide afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 75% of a median home health and personal care aide’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Dental Assistant — $47,540
- Medical Assistant — $46,640
- Nursing Assistant — $45,730
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,320