What is the going hourly rate for private home caregivers? Are there tips I need to watch out for when hiring someone privately?

I am a caretaker and enjoy my job, however I believe that the employees in this line of work are immensely under paid - employees at McDonald's make way more. I get it that there are family members who have had to deal with lazy, non-caring caretakers and even worst are the companies that continue to employee them. However, it gives those that really do care and go above and beyond for a very demanding job a bad rap and even worst a very low pay. There are NO benefits, no over-time pay for holidays, no room for real growth, basically not your typical job. The hours can be long and very taxing both mentally and physically. And for the healthcare industry to be a billion dollar one, probably more, only to under pay those, really sucks.

I obviously don't do this for the big bucks, but I thoroughly enjoy my job because of what I can give back to the patient and their family members (giving them relief and a sound mind knowing their loved ones are being well cared for - you really can't put a price on that!). I don't think it is too much to pay a genuine caregiver $20+ an hour, especially to care for your loved one. Also, many family members will list a multitude of things that they want the caregiver to do, however when you are running errands/transportation please keep in mind that the caregiver is using their car to do this. This is more wear and tear than if you we were just going to a 9-5 job where you drive to and drive home and we must pay for gas which is often not factored in.

Again, I love my job, but the pay of $9.50 which is what I am making now with an agency is very discouraging and nearly impossible to live on. REMEMBER YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET!

Hi GardenArtist, thank you for responding. I am on 1099, will pay my own taxes, no benefits of any kind, I will be paying my own Health insurance 2018. My food is covered, rent, utilities. I only buy things such as snacks, but all is shared. I do have my own room and allowed to bring my cat here. I am also paid gas periodically. As it is my charge showers, mainly dresses and does for herself, but I see the dementia is progressing in the last five months. I do recieve time off and pay is not deducted. I appreciate any and all replys I may recieve so when the time comes I may have enough responses to know how to handle my concerns. Thank you! Any further thougts are appreciated.

Sincere, hourly rates vary by area, by type of skill and by agency. Since you're a live-in caregiver, I think whether or not you are getting meals, have your own room, time off, including on holidays, and typical paid employee benefits factors into what you should charge.

Are you paying your own health insurance premiums? Is the family taking federal and/or state deductions from your paycheck?

But $15 to me is low; however, I haven't dealt directly with employees, only with agencies.

Perhaps you could discuss with this woman, or her family, the fact that you feel you're underpaid. After a year you should be getting a raise anyway.

I have read these responses which help my situation. I am a caregiver, live in. I receive 20 hours a week, at 15.00 an hr. My duties include cleaning a 1400 sfh, shopping, bill pay, cooking, mininal yard care, and mainly companionship. I recieve pay from holocaust grants and donations. My charge can be very sharp and demanding at times but has become more agreeable after 5 mo. I now know the family can pay more, but may not be willing. I made a decion to stay for remainder of year. I feel I have been taken advantage od on my sympathies to a holocaust victim. I would like to have suggestions of what I should ask for in wage to be fair to myself and the family. Charge is 93 yr old female. I am 62, current wage, 300.00 a week.

My mom has MS and she was paying $3000 a month to have a live-in caregiver in her home. And that was for a private caregiver. Home Care companies run about $20 an hour. I couldn't believe it, especially with the low quality of the caregivers that the company sent and limits on the activities they could do around the house if they have nothing to do for a period of time.

$12 would sound good for that part of the country. I wish you luck. We tried to find a private caregiver for my FIL and had no luck. Pay was going to be 1,600-1700 a month It was going to even be a situation where someone had a roof over their head (private bedroom and private bath). No takers with 24/7 live in care.

I live in southern California. Right now we are looking for someone to take my Grandad on errands, to dr.'s appointments, social calls, etc./ plus do things like laundry, light cleaning, minimal help with toileting, meals,etc. I'm not sure how many hours yet, but we'll probably start out with 10 hours and go from there. I was thinking $12/hr. Too little?

Are you looking for companion services or a licensed home health aide/certified nursing assistant? On the east coast, $22-26/hour is normal to an agency. Aide likely gets a LOT less. I paid $15/hr for a companion when that was all I needed. Remember, an agency provides background checks and bonds the person that is hired. On a private arrangement, this typically isn't done. Word of mouth is a good place to start for a private hire, along with an interview at a public location. I spent the first day (or more) with the new hire til I was comfortable he/she understood what I wanted done. You might also seek references from houses of worship. The more hours per day, the lower the hourly rate. Is this what you were looking for???