How much do I need to ask to be paid as an Assisted living caretaker hourly?

WOW! Thank you for clearing this up for everyone on this board! I was sooooo wrong. I am going to buy that MI if I find out it is that reasonable to have here in CT.
Thank you again for opening my eyes on a subject I knew nothing about!!
I am sorry to anyone I may have misled. I hope people who read my post will see your post, Twotonne.

foxxmolder disagreed with me on the cost of malpractice insurance. The cost of malpractice insurance is not prohibitive for home health aides. You can get a $1,000,000/$3,000,000 policy for only $108 a year. This is for a self-employed CNA, not a recent graduate, and works 24 or more hours a week. My sister has a policy through a company that deals with nursing service policies. I just checked it out online and that policy is still available with an approved application.

Depends- private hire, agency hire, what are your qualifications? SSI in California pays 10 hr if a family member prevents you from working outside the home but bringing in licensed caregivers is more. Fill in details- sometimes the state pays.

I am not sure I agree with twotone on one point. The cost of malpractice insurance makes it prohibitive for someone making $15/hour. Doctors are going out of business in our country since they can't afford M.I.

In my area, the agencies charge $15-17/hr. The caregivers actually earn only $9-11/hr. Some of the people the agencies use are not trained at all or just the basics, like how to lift. Liability insurance for the client's home should cover any injuries or losses caregivers might have while on the property.
So, back to the original question, it depends on you, the difficulty of the job, and what the hiring person is willing to pay. If you have training, make sure you get paid for that extra. If you don't work for an agency, get some malpractice insurance. In my state, Arkansas, you need to have a passenger endorsement on your driver's license if you occasionally use a private car to transport people as part of your job. If you work for an agency, they probably already bonded you, but you may not be covered by malpractice. Bottom line--about $10-15 depending on the job and your certification level.

Do you have any liability insurance for a companion when you are working with a person or relative "under the table"? I would guess that is an expense that would be covered if you work with an agency other than someone else.

I am a full time companion, cook, and chauffeur.
I have two older brothers that don't "get it". When and if she needs more then just my help..... I know I will be paying about 15 an hour.
when you work with an agency..... higher end.....18. when you work with a person...."under the table" closer to 12 or 15. (it is sort of like a nanny for your kids.... but more expensive per hour.)

Any where from $12-18 per hour depending on your certification in the Clanton AL area. Companions make the lower end, Chauffeurs at the higher end. In between wages are for HHA, PCA, Cook, Housekeepers.