Family Caregiver Earnings Calculator
Calculate Your Potential Caregiver Earnings
Find out how much you could earn as a family caregiver in your state based on current rates.
Estimated Monthly Earnings
Enter your state and hours to see potential earnings.
Note: Earnings are estimates based on maximum hourly rates. Actual rates may vary based on individual circumstances.
More than 53 million Americans are caring for a loved one at home - often an aging parent, spouse, or sibling. Most of them do it without pay. But in some states, you can get paid to care for a family member. Not as a professional nurse. Not through a job posting. But through government programs that recognize family caregivers as essential workers.
How Do States Pay Family Caregivers?
The main way states pay family caregivers is through Medicaid Waiver Programs. These programs let states use federal Medicaid funds to offer home- and community-based services instead of putting people in nursing homes. One of those services? Paying a family member to be the primary caregiver.
It’s not automatic. You have to qualify - both the person needing care and the person giving care. The person receiving care must meet Medicaid eligibility rules, usually based on income and functional limitations. The caregiver usually can’t be the spouse or legal guardian. But in most cases, adult children, siblings, or even grown grandchildren can be paid.
These programs go by different names: Consumer-Directed Care, Self-Directed Care, Cash & Counseling, or Personal Care Attendant Programs. But they all work the same way: you apply, get approved, get trained, and then get paid to do the work you’re already doing.
Which States Pay Family Caregivers in 2026?
As of 2026, 47 states and the District of Columbia have some form of program that allows family members to be paid as caregivers. The rules vary widely. Here are the top states with the most accessible and well-funded programs:
- California - Through the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, caregivers can earn between $15 and $18 per hour, depending on the county. Adult children and siblings are eligible. The state paid over $2.1 billion to family caregivers in 2025.
- New York - The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) lets recipients hire anyone they trust, including family. Pay rates range from $19 to $23 an hour in NYC. Over 100,000 family members are paid through this program.
- Florida - The Florida Medicaid Waiver Program pays family caregivers up to $16 an hour. The state expanded eligibility in 2024 to include more low-income seniors living in rural areas.
- Texas - The STAR+PLUS waiver pays caregivers $14-$17/hour. The program is growing fast - over 35,000 family caregivers were paid in 2025, up from 22,000 in 2022.
- Washington - The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program pays caregivers $21/hour. Washington was the first state to allow spouses to be paid as caregivers in 2023.
- Michigan - The MI Choice Waiver pays $15-$19/hour. Caregivers must complete a 10-hour training course, but no nursing license is required.
- Ohio - The Ohio Medicaid Waiver pays up to $18/hour. The state added a new option in 2025 to pay caregivers for overnight care.
States like Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota have limited or no formal programs. In those places, family caregivers often rely on nonprofit grants or informal support networks.
Who Qualifies as a Caregiver?
Not everyone can be paid. Most states have strict rules:
- You can’t be the spouse of the person you’re caring for - except in Washington, Minnesota, and a few other states that changed their rules in 2023-2025.
- You can’t be the legal guardian or power of attorney - this prevents abuse of funds.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must pass a background check.
- You must complete a basic training course - usually on safety, infection control, and communication.
- You must be able to document your hours - many states require a time log or app-based tracking.
Many people assume they can’t be paid because they’re a child or sibling. That’s false. In 2025, nearly 60% of paid caregivers in California and New York were adult children. Siblings made up another 20%.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Pay rates vary by state, county, and the level of care needed. Here’s what you can realistically expect:
| State | Hourly Rate | Max Hours/Week | Monthly Earnings (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $15-$18 | 40 | $2,400-$2,880 |
| New York | $19-$23 | 40 | $3,040-$3,680 |
| Washington | $21 | 40 | $3,360 |
| Texas | $14-$17 | 40 | $2,240-$2,720 |
| Florida | $16 | 40 | $2,560 |
| Michigan | $15-$19 | 40 | $2,400-$3,040 |
| Ohio | $18 | 40 | $2,880 |
Some states allow more than 40 hours if the care recipient needs overnight help or has severe disabilities. In those cases, monthly earnings can reach $4,000 or more.
What Does the Job Actually Involve?
Being a paid caregiver isn’t just about helping someone get dressed. You’re responsible for:
- Bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Medication reminders and management
- Meal prep and feeding
- Transportation to doctor appointments
- Light housekeeping - laundry, dishes, tidying
- Monitoring health changes - falls, confusion, appetite loss
- Keeping a daily log of care activities
You’re not expected to do medical tasks like giving injections or managing IVs - those require licensed staff. But you’re expected to notice when something’s wrong and report it.
Many caregivers say the hardest part isn’t the physical work - it’s the paperwork. You have to track every hour, submit timesheets, and sometimes attend monthly check-ins with a case manager.
How to Apply
Applying is simple - but the process can be slow. Here’s how to start:
- Call your state’s Medicaid office or visit their website. Search for “Medicaid waiver program” or “home and community-based services.”
- Ask if family members can be paid caregivers under the program.
- Get the person needing care evaluated for Medicaid eligibility. This usually involves a nurse or social worker coming to the home.
- Complete caregiver training - often free and offered online or in person.
- Submit your application and background check forms.
- Wait for approval - it can take 30 to 90 days.
Don’t wait for someone to tell you about this. Most people don’t know it exists. Call your state’s Area Agency on Aging. They’re required to help you find these programs.
What If Your State Doesn’t Pay?
If you live in a state with no paid caregiver program, you still have options:
- Look for nonprofit grants - organizations like the Family Caregiver Alliance offer small stipends for out-of-pocket costs.
- Apply for tax credits - the federal Dependent Care Credit lets you claim up to $3,000 in care expenses.
- Use VA benefits - if the person you’re caring for is a veteran, the Aid & Attendance benefit can pay up to $2,300/month.
- Start a crowdfunding page - many families use GoFundMe to cover caregiving costs.
Even if you’re not paid, documenting your care can help you qualify for future benefits. Keep a journal. Save receipts. Track your hours. That paper trail matters.
Why This Matters
Family caregivers save the U.S. healthcare system over $600 billion a year. That’s more than the entire Medicare budget. But most caregivers work full-time jobs on top of caregiving - and many are women over 50.
When states pay family caregivers, they’re not just giving out money. They’re acknowledging that home care is better than nursing homes. It’s cheaper. It’s safer. It’s what most seniors want.
And for the caregiver? It’s not just income. It’s validation. It’s saying: what you’re doing matters. You’re not just a daughter or a brother. You’re a vital part of the health system.
Can I get paid to care for my parent if I live in a different state?
No. Most programs require you to live in the same state as the person you’re caring for. You can’t be paid by California if you live in Texas, even if you drive there every weekend. Some states allow out-of-state caregivers under rare exceptions, but those are very limited and require special approval.
Do I have to pay taxes on this money?
Yes. The money you earn as a paid caregiver is taxable income. You’ll receive a 1099 form at the end of the year. But you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or deduct caregiving expenses. Talk to a tax advisor who understands caregiver income - many CPAs don’t know these rules.
Can I be paid if I’m already receiving Social Security?
Yes. Receiving Social Security doesn’t disqualify you. The caregiver pay is considered earned income, not a government benefit. But if your total income pushes you over Medicaid limits, it could affect the person you’re caring for. Always check with your state’s Medicaid office before applying.
What if the person I’m caring for goes into a nursing home?
You stop getting paid. These programs only cover home-based care. If the person moves into a nursing home, the state stops payments. Some states offer a transition payment for a few weeks, but most don’t. Plan ahead - this can create a sudden financial gap.
Can I be paid to care for a grandparent?
Yes. Grandchildren are eligible in nearly all states that allow family caregivers. The relationship doesn’t matter - only the need for care and the eligibility of the person receiving care. Many grandparents are raised by their grandchildren after parents pass away or become incapacitated.
Is there a limit to how long I can be paid?
No fixed time limit. As long as the person you’re caring for remains eligible for Medicaid and continues to need care, you can keep being paid. Some caregivers have been paid for over 10 years. Payments stop only if the person moves to a nursing home, passes away, or no longer qualifies for Medicaid.
Next Steps
If you’re caring for a family member and wondering if you can get paid, start today. Don’t wait for someone to tell you. Call your state’s Medicaid office. Ask for the home and community-based services program. Ask if family members can be paid. Write down the name of the person you speak to. Follow up in a week.
This isn’t a handout. It’s a recognition. You’re doing work that keeps people out of institutions, saves the state money, and lets your loved one stay home. You deserve to be paid for that. And in most states, you can be.
