The decision to become a live-in caregiver is a noble one, and there is no doubt that caregivers receive invaluable rewards from their work serving others and in the meaningful connections made with clients and their families. That said, caregivers still have bills to pay.
So, it makes sense that those considering pursuing a career as a home care aide or caregiver wonder, “How much money do live-in caregivers make?”
If this is you, keep reading to learn more about live-in caregiver salary and benefits.
Average Live-In Caregiver Salary
The problem is that caregiver pay is not set in stone and fluctuates from area to area, primarily related to costs of living, market standards, legislation changes around minimum wage, as well as other reasons.
While we can provide generalized live-in caregiver salary information, wages also fluctuate from agency to agency. So, make sure to inquire about each agency’s rates before or during your interviews.
National and Regional Caregiver Pay
Let’s look at current market information for national and regional caregiver pay.
According to some of the major job tracking agencies, national averages for 24/7 live-in caregiver pay are:
- $37,650 (Glassdoor.com)
- $38,428 (ZipRecruiter.com – using their nationwide weekly average of $739 and multiplying it by 52 weeks)
- $38,655 (Zippia.com)
But remember, averages mean that there are higher (and lower) ranges of pay, often depending on your location and which agency you choose. Here at Georgetown Home Care, for example, our live-in caregivers often work 3 to 5 days per week and make significantly higher than these averages. We even have some live-in caregivers who work 7 days a week who make over $100k per year!
Other Factors Impacting Salaries for Live-In Caregivers
Geographical location is only one factor affecting average live-in caregiver salaries. Other things to consider when weighing the pros and the cons include the following:
The Company Culture
Some caregiving agencies focus far more on their employee well-being than others. This is something to note when scouting potential employers. You want to keep your eye out for agencies who understand their employees are the company’s backbone. Compassionate, highly-qualified, and dedicated caregivers are worth taking care of.
As you visit prospective employer websites, look at their About Us pages to get a feel for their company culture.
Before or during interviews, in addition to verifying wages and wage increase policies, ask them about employee turnover rates. This is a significant indicator of how well a company treats its employees. For example, while the national average caregiver turnover is around 70% in any given year, Georgetown Home Care is proud to maintain a turnover rate of less than 6%.
Caregiver Experience and Work History
It’s not unusual for agencies to have a lower-than-average starting wage for caregivers. This makes sense as the company’s ability to provide superior service and exceptional working conditions depends on its bottom line and financial stability.
Most live-in caregiver wages are based on an applicant’s/employee’s:
- Previous experience/work history
- Related education or credentials
- Length of time working at the company
- Promotions or additional work responsibilities (management, supervisory positions, etc.)
The longer caregivers work for the agency and show excellence in their work, the more money they earn. So, be sure to show up on time, provide attentive care to clients and families, take advantage of in-house education and training opportunities—and then watch your wages increase over time.
Benefits Packages
Many employees forget to factor in employee benefits when thinking about how much they earn each year. So, let’s say you start as a live-in caregiver making one of those national averages listed above. If you add in benefits, you’ll realize that you’re making thousands of dollars more per year via:
- Paid time off. Georgetown Home Care provides competitive benefits packages, including paid time off (PTO). This time is yours to do with as you want, including vacation time, sick days, or personal time to handle family needs. PTO is not a given with all agencies, so check that prospective employers offer PTO before applying.
- Holiday pay. We pay our employees time and a half for working on designated national holidays. This results in extra money in your pocket, often when you need it the most.
- Health insurance. Health insurance costs thousands of dollars—or tens of thousands— annually. The more competitive an agency’s health insurance package is, the more you make each year, even if it isn’t deposited directly into your account. We provide a comprehensive insurance package including medical, dental, and vision care.
- 401(k) retirement plans. We offer a great 401(k) program to help you prepare for your future. Georgetown Home Care will match up to the first 5% you contribute to your retirement account as part of an employer matching account process.
- Continuing education. Continuing education is a key to higher earning capability. It’s worth evaluating which agencies offer ongoing education or those willing to compensate employees for all or a portion of industry-related certifications. Their investment in your education and training is money you keep in your pocket.
As you move forward and begin establishing which agencies pay the best live-in caregiver salaries, don’t forget to include the unwritten financial benefits of company culture, PTO, health benefits, and the investment in furthering your education and career path.
Georgetown Home Care Is Looking for Caregivers Like You
Georgetown Home Care proudly offers caregivers the best pay and benefits packages available in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland regions. We are a family-owned company that wants our employees to feel like family—and that is reflected in our positive employee feedback and high retention rates.
In addition to industry-leading wages and benefits, we ensure that you’re quickly reassigned to a new case once your old one ends—no waiting around for days or weeks for more work.
Are you ready for a rewarding career that you can depend on to pay the bills and provide a more secure financial future? Then get started by applying online. We typically respond within 24 hours and can get you on a job within 24-48 hours of receiving your application!