Caregiver jobs: what the work is, what you need and how to start

Caregiver jobs are paid roles that help people with daily living, at home or in a care setting. What you need to start depends on the job and your state: federal rules set a training minimum for some roles, and states add their own.

This page covers the general picture. The role pages go deeper on the three jobs with the most openings: personal care aide, home health aide and certified nursing assistant. A fourth, the direct support professional, works mainly with people who have disabilities.

What caregivers do

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities. Personal care aides are generally limited to nonmedical services, such as companionship, cleaning, cooking and driving. Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living.

Where caregivers work

BLS says aides work in clients' homes, group homes, care communities and day services programs. Many work in clients' homes, and most work full time, though part-time work is common.

Nursing assistants work mostly in nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals. BLS lists the shares for nursing assistants in its Occupational Outlook Handbook:

Employer type	Share of nursing assistants
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing)	36%
Hospitals	32%
Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living	11%
Home healthcare services	5%

Training and certification

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education for home health and personal care aides. Some positions do not require a formal credential, and training on the job is short term. Some employers also ask for first aid and CPR certification.

Two federal rules set a floor:

• Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies must meet the qualifications in 42 CFR 484.80. The main route is at least 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training plus a competency evaluation. BLS puts it this way: those working in certified home health or hospice agencies must complete formal training and pass a standardized test.
• Nursing assistants in nursing homes must complete a state-approved program and be on the state registry. See the CNA page.

States add their own rules. BLS says some states require home health aides to have a license or certification, which may include training, a background check and a competency exam. Carevo does not summarize state rules here because they differ and change. Ask your state board of health, as BLS suggests, and ask each employer what it requires.

How to become a caregiver

1. Pick the job that matches the work you want. Companionship and household help sit at one end. Hands-on personal care and nursing home work sit at the other.
2. Check your state's rules for that job with the state board of health.
3. Complete any required training. If you want to work for a Medicare-certified home health agency, the federal 75-hour minimum applies.
4. Add first aid and CPR if the employers you want ask for it.
5. Contact employers and ask what screening and training they require.

Pay

BLS reports a national median wage of $17.21 an hour, or $35,800 a year, for home health and personal care aides (SOC 31-1120), from the May 2025 reference period. Nursing assistants have their own figures on the CNA page.

These are wages paid to workers, not prices charged by agencies. They are national figures, so wages in your state and setting can be higher or lower.

How to find work

Agencies are the employers for most of these jobs. Browsing home care agencies and home health agencies in your state shows who operates near you. Contact them directly and ask whether they are hiring.

Some people are paid to care for a family member. Programs and rules depend on the state. See paid family caregiver programs.

If you are already caring for someone and feel worn down, the caregiver burnout self-check lists places to find support.

Caregiver registration is coming to Carevo

Carevo is a connection platform. It is not an employer, it does not place workers and it does not guarantee work. Registration for caregivers is not open yet. If you want to hear when it is, email [email protected].