Follow
Share

They applied for IHHS caregiver but income is higher end with retirement and Social Security...

Find Care & Housing
$20-30 per hour depending on the level of care needed.

However, This is more than an appropriate salary situation. Consult with an attorney for a contract. Salary isnt the only thing you should be concerned with. As a live in caregiver you will need to outline hours on duty, responsibilities if other coverage is a no-show, living/lease agreements, taxes, vacation/sick days. What responsibilities you will have.

Without a detailed contract you are leaving yourself very vulnerable to the possibility of slave labor.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to AMZebbC
Report

Do not take this gig unless you want to be on-call 24/7 with no time off (unless it is clearly stated in the contract, which I hope you have). This forum has plenty of posts from live-in caregivers who become enslaved in the situation because the client only has 1 caregiver when they should have 3 in rotating shifts. Because they can (eventually) never leave the client their lives become smaller and smaller and so does their bank accounts when they can't afford to move out because they have bartered their services for "room and board" and not enough cash. Make sure this is never YOU. Go into it with your eyes wide open.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to Geaton777
Report
Tamm503 Jan 19, 2026
Thank you for your insight. I've been a caregiver on and off for 25 years, mostly for family members. I just wanted input from others in similar situations.
(0)
Report
I would contact your labor board to see how live ins should be paid. I know they have to have time off and work 40hrs.

If this does not work, person dies or is transfeered to a care facility, you must have a place to go back to. You and the person you will be working for need a contract.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Tam503,

Live-In Caregiver Compensation (California)
In California, live-in caregivers must be paid a cash wage in addition to room and board. Room and board cannot replace wages and are considered a separate benefit.
Appropriate Cash Salary (In Addition to Room & Board)
Based on current California market rates and labor standards, a reasonable and appropriate cash compensation for a live-in caregiver is:
• Hourly equivalent: $22–$28 per hour
• Weekly salary equivalent: $900–$1,200 per week
• Annual equivalent: approximately $40,000–$55,000 per year

These figures assume standard caregiving duties and increase with higher medical needs, specialized skills, or extended on-duty hours.
Room and Board
Room and board are provided in addition to wages and typically include:
• A private bedroom (and preferably a private bathroom)
• Utilities and internet
• Meals or access to household food

The estimated fair-market value of room and board in California often exceeds $20,000 per year, but this value does not reduce the required cash wage.
Important Legal Note
Live-in caregivers in California are employees, not independent contractors. They are entitled to minimum wage, overtime where applicable, a written agreement, and proper tax reporting (W-2).

I hope this helps.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to HaveYourBack
Report

California has a very strict Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. You can read about it here:

https://www.californialaborlawattorney.com/blog/what-are-the-caregiver-rights-in-california/

https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DomesticWorkerBillOfRights-FAQ.html
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to MG8522
Report

According to homecare agency laws, live-in Care is $525 a day or almost $30/hr. In Massachusetts, anyway. Rule: The live-in caregiver must have eight hours of consistent sleep within that 24 hour period. So they’re technically working 18 hour days.
The way that many agencies do it is they rotate between one 3 day a week caregiver and a 4 day a week caregiver. So no one aid lives there permanently 7 days a week. They still have their own home life and their family, etc., half of the week.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to mobileandi
Report

At one point, my sister in law was a "live in caregiver" had no contract with her employer and basically screwed herself over. She ended up having items stolen from her, her personal belongings held hostage and needed law enforcement to safely move out. She had no way of getting any rest because it became a 24/7 job and the client took advantage of her situation. Personally, I would never be a live in caregiver, I value my alone time and sleep schedule.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Freyasmom24
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter