Caregiver Rates
Caregiver Connection is locally owned and operated in Portland, Oregon, and has been serving clients in the metro area including Vancouver, Washington, since 1998. You negotiate duties and rates, hire and pay your caregiver directly, and the caregiver is generally considered your employee.
Our clients enjoy knowing that they have control over the arrangement with their caregivers, who earn the equivalent of about 90% of the total fee paid. Caregiver Connection charges an additional $4.50/hour (up to $45/day) referral fee, paid separately by the client, and there is an initial set-up fee of $45 for all clients. We do not determine caregiver rates, and they are often flexible in what they charge.
Many factors influence what caregivers charge; for instance, the level of care (complexity), the degree of training that the caregiver has (hospice-level care is generally more), whether the job is steady or short-term, and how restful the night shifts are. We recommend that caregivers and clients re-evaluate terms with each other when the care routine becomes apparent, as their duties and rates may need to be adjusted.
The rates below reflect what caregivers generally request for compensation by their clients.
Short Day Shifts: 2-6 hours
$25-$35 or more per hourLong Day Shifts: 7-12 hours
$20-$30 or more per hourOvernight Shifts: 8-12 hours
$18-$30 or more per hourCouple Care (for 2 people)
$30 or more per hour
24-hour (or longer) shifts that include sleep for the caregiver(s):
Note that Caregiver Connection discourages hiring room-and-board exchanges for round-the-clock care; learn why here. When our caregivers work 24-hour shifts they must be able to sleep at night, and it generally takes 3-5 caregivers to cover a 24 x 7 case. If the caregivers are not able to sleep at night, then care must be delivered in an hourly fashion, usually 12-hour day and night shifts, where the above day/night rates would apply.
Companion-level care starts at $400 for 24-hour shifts
Mid-level care, with sleep, starts at $500 for 24-hour shifts
Complex situations (end-stage hospice, extreme fall risk, etc.) may be $720 or more per 24-hour shift
How Caregiver Connection
Structures Referral Payment
Our business selects and refers top-notch caregivers to you in the Portland metro area, based on your needs and location. Because our caregivers earn the equivalent of about 90% of the total fee that you pay, we are able to attract and retain them. You and your caregiver determine caregiver compensation and duties without limitations by our registry.
We carefully screen caregivers with our 6-Point Screening Process. We take our responsibilities to our clients seriously, and our reasonable referral fees reflect the value we provide.
Referral Option #1: Pay-As-You-Go
This is our most popular option, recommended for most situations. Our referral fee is $4.50 per hour, with a cap of $45 per day and an initial set-up fee of $45. Referral fee is billed bi-weekly, and we accept credit cards.
Referral Option #2: One-Time Buyout
An initial $45 set-up fee is included. The buyout option is recommended for permanent one-caregiver situations. The fee is equal to six weeks of the caregiver's salary, or a minimum of $1850, whichever is greater. The fee is due within 90 days from the date of caregiver referral; any amount paid prior to the end of the 90-day period will be applied to the total amount owed. Up to 3 substitute caregivers may be offered from one year of buyout date, if the referred caregiver is not a match.
Caregiver Payment Q&A
We’re used to fielding lots of financial questions about hiring an independent, in-home caregiver. For example:
What do I need to consider when I hire an independent caregiver?
What’s the best way to pay an independent caregiver?
What tax rules for caregivers do I need to know?
How can I estimate caregiver costs?
Below you’ll find information and links to answers and solutions to these questions, and many more. Contact us if we can be of further assistance!
Is my caregiver my employee?
Independent caregivers are generally considered employees of the client under the tax code. We do not track or report caregiver earnings.
What’s the best way to handle payroll, taxes and other employment requirements for my in-home caregiver?
Caregivers are generally considered domestic employees of clients. We recommend consulting with a tax or accounting professional and/or engaging a trusted service to handle issues including payroll, taxes and more. Below are three services we highly recommend:
MyHomePay
Handling all payroll, tax and HR obligations for household employers since 1992, and offering this helpful payroll tax calculator.
www.myhomepay.com • 888-273-3356
Kelsey Wesley, Partner Relations Specialist: Kelsey.Wesley@myHomePay.com
Portland Payroll
This locally-owned company prides itself on great customer service and is well-versed in domestic employment.
www.portlandpayroll.com • 503-520-1384
Mike Madrid, Owner: submit@pdxpayroll.com
Paychex
One of the country’s most recognized payroll companies, their branch in Beaverton will connect you to a representative familiar with your zip code.
www.paychex.com • 503-620-6800
What tax rules for caregivers do I need to know about?
We recommend consulting with a tax or accounting professional and/or enlisting a payroll service such as the ones listed above; these services are experts at payroll and taxation for domestic employees.
To learn more about the tax code for household employers, please review IRS Publication 926: Household Employer’s Tax Guide on the IRS website. The Guide includes information about obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN), withholding and reporting state and federal taxes, forms an employee must complete, and keeping important records. The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service can also be reached by phone at 1-877-777-4778.
What types of insurance do I need when I hire an independent caregiver?
There are several types of insurance that may be necessary or advisable for your particular caregiving situation. Learn about, review or consider adding coverage for these types of insurance with your agent:
Liability insurance: caregivers carry their own individual policies; learn more here
Auto insurance: needed if your caregiver will be transporting the care receiver or performing errands; learn more here
Homeowner’s insurance: learn more here
Is Worker's Compensation needed for my in-home caregiver?
Independent caregivers in Oregon and Washington, such as those referred by Caregiver Connection, are not covered by state Worker’s Compensation policies.
How can I estimate caregiver costs?
You’ll find a helpful payroll tax calculator on the MyHomePay website, which will allow you to compare pay period options, hourly and salaried rates, and calculate taxes and tax credits.
Am I required to pay overtime to my caregiver?
The State of Oregon regulates some aspects of in-home care services. Find useful answers to frequently asked questions on the Oregon.gov website.
Learn how to hire the best caregiver for
your own unique situation with these links:
Finding the Right Caregiver: tips on locating, interviewing and hiring caregivers
Understanding Caregiver Qualifications: learn about certifications, levels of care, hiring considerations and more
Finding a Caregiver in Portland, Oregon: find local Portland metro area resources for qualified caregivers
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about working with a caregiver on our Q&A page.
