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Caregiving is one of the fastest-growing healthcare fields in the country, but pay varies by role, credentials, location, and other factors.
The word “caregiver” covers a broad range of jobs, from a Personal Care Aide to a Certified Nursing Assistant. The differences between these roles are key to how much they can expect to earn.
So, how much do caregivers make?
The quick answer is that most caregivers earn between about $14 and $25 an hour, or roughly $29,000 to $52,000 a year, depending on their education, the specific job, location, and much more.
This guide covers caregiver salaries nationally and by state, what factors most affect your pay, and how to increase your earning potential.
How Much Do Caregivers Make?
Caregivers make a decent, livable wage, one that rises with credentials and experience. Just as important, an aging population and a national shortage of care workers are keeping demand high, giving caregivers steady, reliable employment.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks wages for some of the job categories that cover caregiving work. For Home Health Aides and Certified Nursing Assistants, the BLS has released average wages for 2025.
Personal Care Aides and Patient Care Technicians are not tracked as separate categories by the BLS. For those two roles, we used pay data from industry sources.
Caregiver Salary by Role
Here's a look at average caregiver salary based on the various roles one may be called:
Caregiver Salary by State
Location is one of the biggest drivers of caregiver pay. Wages can differ by more than $20,000 a year, depending on the state. This variance is shaped by the cost of living, state minimum wage laws, Medicaid reimbursement rates, and local demand.
Salaries for home health aides and personal care aides (the BLS groups them into one occupation) and nursing assistants are the proxies for “caregiver” wages.
Here's a look at those salaries by state:
As of the May 2025 BLS data, the states with the highest average pay for home health and personal care aides are Washington ($47,730), Oregon ($44,410), Rhode Island ($43,680), the District of Columbia ($42,700), and Vermont ($41,600).
The lowest-paying states include Louisiana ($22,520), Mississippi ($23,860), Texas ($24,230), Arkansas ($27,660), and Oklahoma ($27,710).
The states with the highest average pay for nursing assistants are Oregon ($49,830), Washington ($49,180), New York ($48,590), New Hampshire ($47,870), and the District of Columbia ($47,700).
The lowest-paying states include Louisiana ($30,510), Mississippi ($31,520), Alabama ($34,140), Arkansas ($34,430), and Oklahoma ($35,930).
What Affects Caregiver Pay?
Beyond state and role, several other factors move the needle on what a caregiver can expect to earn.
Credentials and Certification
There are varying requirements to be a caregiver depending on your role and official title. These qualifications can also affect your pay.
- Uncertified PCAs generally earn the least.
- HHAs with state certification earn more than uncertified PCAs.
- CNAs and PCTs, who hold recognized credentials and can perform clinical tasks, earn meaningfully more than HHAs.
- Specialized certifications, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s care, can also bump up pay.
Work Setting
Employers in different settings pay different rates. The BLS has published median annual wages for HHAs as of May 2024 across different settings. They are:
- Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities: $36,400
- Assisted living and continuing care retirement communities: $36,280
- Home healthcare services: $35,250
- Individual and family services: $34,600
Hospital-based CNAs and PCTs generally earn more than those in home care or nursing homes.
Experience
- Entry-level caregivers typically start at or near the state minimum wage.
- Pay rises with time in the job and as you demonstrate your skills, and many employers offer annual raises or step increases.
- Experienced CNAs can earn well above the median, especially in high-demand settings.
Employer Type
- Agency-employed caregivers get consistent pay and benefits but may earn slightly less per hour than private-hire caregivers.
- Private-hire caregivers can negotiate higher hourly rates, but usually do not receive benefits.
- Government-funded programs such as Medicaid waivers, IHSS, and CDPAP set their own rates, which cap what caregivers can earn through them.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time and Shift Type
- Full-time caregivers earn more annually, though part-time and per diem work is common in the field.
- Evening, overnight, and weekend shifts often come with extra pay.
- Live-in caregivers may earn a daily rate or flat weekly pay rather than an hourly wage.
How to Earn More as a Caregiver
The clearest path to higher caregiver pay is getting certified. Here is what that looks like in practice.
- Becoming a CNA is the most direct step up from an HHA or PCA role, and it opens higher-paying jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health.
- Becoming a PCT builds on CNA skills by adding skills like phlebotomy and administering EKGs, and hospital pay is generally the highest in the caregiving field.
- Earning a specialty certification, such as one for dementia, hospice, or condition-specific training, can increase your value to employers.
- Working in settings such as hospitals and assisted living facilities, instead of individual home care, can lead to higher pay.
Caregiving is also a strong stepping stone into the broader healthcare field.
Many caregivers build on their experience to become medical assistants, who earn an average salary of $44,108 and tend to work more predictable clinic hours.
Stepful’s training for caregivers is built to help caregivers take those next steps.
Caregiver Salary FAQs
How much do caregivers make per hour?
Personal Care Aides earn an average of about $16.21 an hour. Home Health Aides earn an average of $17.36 per hour. Certified Nursing Assistants earn about $20.53 an hour, and Patient Care Technicians earn a bit more, an average of $21.44.
How much do caregivers make a year?
Personal Care Aides make about $33,700 per year. Home Health Aides earn an average salary of $36,120 a year. Certified Nursing Assistants earn an average of $42,700 per year, and Patient Care Technicians earn an average of $44,600 per year. Individual pay depends on your role, credentials, and location.
Which state pays caregivers the most?
The BLS data for home health and personal care aides for 2025 shows that caregivers in Washington state earn the most, with an average salary of $$47,730 a year. Oregon, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia also rank near the top.
Which state pays caregivers the least?
Pay tends to be lowest in Southern states such as Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, where wages often sit near the state or federal minimum.
Do caregivers get benefits?
It depends on the employer. Agency and facility workers often receive benefits like health insurance and paid time off, while privately hired caregivers usually do not.
How much does a live-in caregiver make?
Live-in caregivers are often paid a daily or flat weekly rate rather than an hourly wage, and pay varies widely by state and the hours of care involved. Some states have specific rules on overtime and rest periods for live-in workers.
How much more does a CNA make than a Home Health Aide?
CNAs earn an average salary of $42,700 a year, compared with $36,120 for Home Health Aides. That is roughly $6,500 more per year, or about $3 more per hour.
Does experience affect caregiver pay?
Yes. Most caregivers start near the minimum wage and earn more with time and proven skills. Experienced CNAs in high-demand settings can earn well above the average.
Which caregiving role pays the most?
Among entry-level caregiving roles, Patient Care Technicians and CNAs in hospital settings typically earn the most. Moving into a role like medical assisting can raise pay further.
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