Quick Overview
In many states, caregivers are paid through Medicaid at an hourly rate that typically ranges from $12–$20 per hour, with states with higher costs like Alaska, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York paying more and some Southern states paying less. Stipend models such as Structured Family Caregiving offer daily or monthly payment rates instead of hourly.
Introduction
You love your parent or spouse, but the bills do not pause when you provide care. The question “how much will my caregiver pay be” can feel overwhelming because caregiver pay varies significantly from state to state.
Different waivers, rules, and state regulations make it hard to find clear information on caregiver wages.
We put everything in one place. Below you will find a plain-English guide to the pay you can expect, how states pay caregivers, and what steps move you forward. Then we show you a sortable table for all 50 states. We close with steps so you can move from reading to results. If you are ready to move, LummaCare can help you start today by connecting you with caregiver resources immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Most state programs pay $12–$20/hr. Certain states like Alaska, New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon generally offer higher rates based on cost of living and program design.
- Pay models differ. Some use hourly wages, while Structured Family Caregiving pays a daily or monthly stipend. Approved hours depend on the level of care and the care provided.
- Eligibility matters. Make sure you or your loved one is eligible for Medicaid. Rules for a family caregiver, spouse, or friend vary across states.
Why Caregiver Pay Through Medicaid Matters
Millions rely on Medicaid for home care and caregiving services. When a caregiver can earn a steady wage, families avoid a nursing home and keep loved ones safe at home. Yet pay differs widely state to state, which creates confusion and delays for people who need help now. This guide gives you clear information on caregiver wages so you can plan with confidence.
LummaCare’s perspective is simple. We believe caregivers receive fair compensation when programs are easy to navigate, when assessments match needs, and when families have support. We built this guide to ensure fair compensation and to help you find your best option across different states.
Medicaid Caregiver Pay: What You Can Expect
Many state Medicaid programs allow a caregiver to be paid as a caregiver. The amount depends on the program type, the minimum wage, the level of care assessed, and local budgets. Some states offer stipend models, while others use hourly pay. Where stipend models exist, the daily or monthly amounts also reflect the assessed needs and the care provided.
From our work with families, two patterns stand out. First, states with a higher cost of living typically offer higher wages. Second, hours are not random. They are set by a nurse or care coordinator who evaluates needs like bathing, dressing, mobility, and meals. That is why understanding caregiver assessments is crucial for caregivers who want predictable income.
State-by-State Caregiver Pay Rates in 2025
Central feature: Use this sortable chart to compare your state at a glance. Hourly amounts are typical ranges. Stipends show daily or monthly models.
| State | Average Medicaid Caregiver Pay (Hourly) | Medicaid Program / Waiver (Main) | Spouses Allowed? | Notes |
| Alabama | $11–13/hr | Elderly & Disabled Waiver | No | Low wages compared to national avg. |
| Alaska | $24–25/hr | Personal Care Services (PCS) | Yes | Among the highest caregiver wages. |
| Arizona | $12–15/hr | ALTCS | Yes | Family/friends eligible. |
| Arkansas | $12/hr | AR Choices Waiver | Limited | Rates vary by county. |
| California | $15–20+/hr | IHSS | Yes | County-based; higher in Bay Area. |
| Colorado | $17–20+/hr | HCBS/CDASS | Yes | CNA caregivers may earn bonuses. |
| Connecticut | $16–18/hr | CT Home Care Program | Limited | Family/friends under some waivers. |
| Delaware | $13–15/hr | Diamond State Health Plan Plus | Yes | Managed care waivers. |
| Florida | $12–15/hr | Statewide Medicaid Managed Care | No (spouse) | Family allowed; spouse usually excluded. |
| Georgia | $10–20/hr or $1,500–3,500/mo | Structured Family Caregiving; ICWP; EDW | Yes | SFC requires cohabitation. |
| Hawaii | $13–16/hr | QUEST Integration Waiver | Yes | Limited capacity. |
| Idaho | $13–15/hr | Aged & Disabled Waiver | Yes | Family caregivers eligible. |
| Illinois | $15–17/hr | Home Services Program | Yes | Consumer-directed model. |
| Indiana | $14–16/hr | A&D Waiver; SFC | Yes | SFC requires cohabitation. |
| Iowa | $13–15/hr | HCBS Elderly Waiver | Yes | Pay varies by provider. |
| Kansas | $13–15/hr | Frail Elderly Waiver | Yes | Managed care sets rates. |
| Kentucky | $13–15/hr | HCB; Hart Supported Living | Yes | Spouses sometimes allowed. |
| Louisiana | $12/hr | Community Choices Waiver | Limited | Lower end nationally. |
| Maine | $14–16/hr | Section 19 Waiver | Yes | Rural rates slightly lower. |
| Maryland | $14–16/hr | Community First Choice | Yes | Strong self-direction. |
| Massachusetts | $20–21/hr | MassHealth PCA | Yes | High wages relative to peers. |
| Michigan | $11–15/hr | Home Help Program | Yes | Rates vary by county. |
| Minnesota | $14–16/hr | PCA Choice; CADI | Yes | Strong PCA program. |
| Mississippi | $11/hr | Elderly & Disabled Waiver | No | Among the lowest. |
| Missouri | $12–15/hr or ~$103/day | CDS; SFC | Yes | SFC pays a daily stipend. |
| Montana | $13–15/hr | Big Sky Waiver | Yes | Rural wage variation. |
| Nebraska | $13–15/hr | Aged & Disabled Waiver | Yes | Family caregivers included. |
| Nevada | $11–13/hr avg; ~$16/hr waiver | PCS; HCBS Waivers | Yes | Las Vegas avg ~$13.42/hr. |
| New Hampshire | $14–16/hr | Choices for Independence | Yes | Some restrictions. |
| New Jersey | $14–16/hr | Personal Preference Program | Yes | Self-directed PCA. |
| New Mexico | $13–15/hr | Centennial Care Community Benefit | Yes | Family caregivers allowed. |
| New York | $20–27/hr | CDPAP | Yes | Overtime, PTO, benefits possible. |
| North Carolina | $13–15/hr | CAP/DA; CAP/C | Yes | SFC available. |
| North Dakota | $14–16/hr | Aged & Disabled Waiver | Yes | Smaller workforce. |
| Ohio | $12–15/hr | PASSPORT; Ohio Home Care | Yes | Family caregivers allowed. |
| Oklahoma | $12–14/hr | ADvantage Waiver | Yes | Family/friends allowed. |
| Oregon | $19–20/hr | K Plan; PCA | Yes | Spousal pay allowed. |
| Pennsylvania | $13–16/hr | Community HealthChoices | Limited | County differences apply. |
| Rhode Island | $14–16/hr | Global Consumer Choice | Yes | Family caregivers eligible. |
| South Carolina | $12/hr | Community Choices Waiver | Limited | Lower average wages. |
| South Dakota | ~$80–113/day | Structured Family Caregiving | Yes | Daily stipend model. |
| Tennessee | $13–15/hr | CHOICES | Yes | Restrictions apply. |
| Texas | $12–14/hr | Community Attendant; STAR+PLUS | No (spouse) | Parent caregivers excluded for minors. |
| Utah | $13–15/hr | New Choices Waiver | Yes | Family caregivers allowed. |
| Vermont | $14–16/hr | Choices for Care | Yes | Family/friends eligible. |
| Virginia | $14–16/hr | CCC Plus Waiver | Yes | Self-directed care available. |
| Washington | $17–20+/hr | Community First Choice | Yes | COVID hazard pay raised wages by $2.50/hr. |
| West Virginia | $13–15/hr | Aged & Disabled Waiver | Yes | Spouse allowed in some cases. |
| Wisconsin | $14–18/hr | Family Care; IRIS | Yes | Personal care fixed at ~$17.98/hr. |
| Wyoming | $13–15/hr | Community Choices | Yes | Family caregivers included. |
| District of Columbia | $15–17/hr | EPD Waiver | Yes | Higher local wage floor. |
Highest Paying States for Caregivers Through Medicaid
Based on our data, the highest paying states for caregivers include Alaska, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, and several counties in California. These areas have a higher minimum wage, larger waiver budgets, and strong self-direction models that let families choose and supervise their worker. In New York, for example, caregivers earn $20–$27 per hour under CDPAP, and many receive benefits like PTO and overtime. That is real stability for a household living in a particular state with higher costs.
Why do these places offer higher rates? States with a higher cost of living and a higher demand for caregivers need competitive caregiver salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows that wages for home health and personal care occupations track local labor markets. Where rent and groceries cost more, pay climbs to attract the workforce.
Lowest Paying States for Caregivers
Some states with lower wages still keep families at home but pay less than the national average. Examples include Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Arkansas. Even in these markets, Medicaid can provide stability for essentials while families avoid a nursing home placement.
| Bottom 5 | Average Hourly |
| Mississippi | ~$11/hr |
| Alabama | $11–13/hr |
| Louisiana | ~$12/hr |
| South Carolina | ~$12/hr |
| Arkansas | ~$12/hr |
Factors Affecting Caregiver Pay Across States
There are factors that influence caregiver wages everywhere, and the mix differs among states. Here are the big ones.
Cost of Living Differences
Cost of living has a significant role in determining caregiver wages. States with a higher cost of living typically offer higher wages. Where rent and gas are expensive, programs set higher pay for caregivers to recruit and retain workers. This helps communities avoid unnecessary nursing home placements and keep care at home.
As a result, caregivers vary significantly in earnings across different regions, which has real implications for caregivers planning a budget.
Medicaid Planning & Waivers
Medicaid planning and the chosen medicaid program matter. 1915(c) HCBS waivers, Community First Choice, and state plan personal care each set rules on who qualifies, whether spouses can be hired, and how payment rates work. States may run both hourly and stipend models. Caregiver programs like Structured Family Caregiving provide daily or monthly stipends rather than an hourly paycheck.
Knowing how your state Medicaid model handles hours, budgets, and assessments is essential for caregivers seeking clarity on income.
Type of Care Provided
Pay reflects the care provided. Complex needs such as transfers, memory care, or wound support can lead to more approved hours. Lighter tasks like companionship or chores may result in fewer hours. Titles vary from home health aide to attendant, but the work aligns with personal care and ADLs like bathing and dressing.
Programs try to match the pay rate and hours to what is needed so caregivers receive fair compensation.
Family Caregiver vs. Agency Caregiver Pay
Self-directed models let you choose a relative or friend. Agency models assign a worker. Either way, the goal is to keep people safe at home with reliable caregiving. In self-direction, the pay rate for family and friends is typically tied to the same grids agencies use. Benefits can differ, and paid time or PTO depends on local policy.
Legislation & Funding Changes
Legislatures set budgets, and those choices flow into wages. During COVID in Washington, hazard pay raised hourly wages by $2.50, which showed how funding can change lives. As temporary boosts phase out, states also balance worker supply with rising needs. Some states face tight budgets, while others invest more as the demand for caregivers grows.
Keeping up with local policy is key because caregivers must plan income and schedules around program updates.
Case Studies: Real Medicaid Caregiver Pay in Action
Example 1: A mother in New York earns $22 per hour caring for her adult son through CDPAP. The assessment approved 40 hours weekly based on mobility and memory needs. With overtime rules and city wages, her household enjoys stability while avoiding a facility. This shows how states that are known for higher costs provide higher pay to keep care at home.
Example 2: In Georgia, a caregiver receives a monthly stipend of $1,800–$2,400 under Structured Family Caregiving. Cohabitation is required. This stipend replaces an hourly check, but the total can be similar once you consider the approved care plan. These models exist because families value continuity, and caregivers often prefer to stay with the person they love.
Who Can Get Paid as a Family Caregiver?
Caregivers across the country want to know who qualifies. Rules vary by program. A family caregiver can be a spouse in some places and not in others. Parents of minors face unique rules. Friends and adult relatives are often eligible. Income limits for the person receiving care matter because the person must be eligible for Medicaid before any wages flow.
Look at your state’s charts and the local application steps. For context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks wages for health and personal care aides, which helps families compare choices. When you combine that with the table below, you have the best information on caregiver wages by state available in one place.
- Spouse rules, parent of a minor, friend/relative.
- Income eligibility and financial thresholds to qualify.
- Documentation and background checks may apply.
How to Apply for Medicaid Caregiver Pay (Step-by-Step)
- Verify that the person receiving care is eligible for Medicaid in your state.
- Contact your local agency or Aging and Disability Resource Center to begin.
- Choose a self-directed option such as CDPAP, IHSS, or SFC if available.
- Complete the in-home assessment that sets hours based on the care provided.
- Select your worker. This can be a spouse, friend, or relative as rules allow.
- Finish onboarding with a fiscal intermediary and begin receiving paychecks.
Suggested visual: Timeline or step-flow animation from eligibility to first paycheck.
Future of Caregiver Wages in Medicaid Programs
The aging population and growth in disability services mean a steady rise in the demand for caregivers. States offer different paths forward, and funding choices will shape caregiver salaries. Some areas may raise wages to attract workers, while others will pilot new models to stabilize families and reduce costly facility placements.
We expect more attention to self-direction, simpler apps for timekeeping, and guardrails that ensure fair compensation. As needs rise across different states, programs will refine how caregivers are paid so households can plan with confidence.
Conclusion: Getting the Pay You Deserve as a Caregiver
Caregiver pay is real, and the right choice can keep your loved one safe at home. LummaCare helps you navigate assessments, select the best option, and move from questions to checks quickly. If you are wondering how much you could earn where you live, explore our table and then start the process with us.
See if you qualify today. We support you with fast enrollment, instant pay, telehealth access, and a team that puts people first.
