Caregiver Pay: How Much Can Family Members Get Paid in 2026?
Always Best Care TeamAuthor
February 18, 2026
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, an estimated 53 million Americans are family caregivers for an ill or disabled relative. If you’re one of them, you know that caregiving can be both incredibly meaningful and incredibly exhausting. Fortunately, there are programs that offer compensation for caregivers.
Caregiver Pay Explained: Key Takeaways
- How much you earn depends on where you live, your experience, and the level of care needed
- Many states offer Medicaid waivers or self-directed care programs for family compensation
- Long-term care insurance might provide caregiver pay if your loved one doesn’t qualify for Medicaid
- New York: $16.44
- California: $15.54
- Texas: $14.82
- Arizona: $13.88
- Illinois: $13.58
- Alabama: $13.50
- Georgia: $12.58
- Florida: $11.13
- Medicaid: Check if your state’s Medicaid program offers payment to family caregivers. This may require enrolling as a provider and completing training.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Some policies allow family members to receive payment as informal caregivers.
- Paid Family Leave: States like NY, CA, MN, and MA have mandatory paid family leave programs.
- Veterans Programs: Veterans can hire family members through the Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services or Aid and Attendance Benefits.
Factors That Influence Family Caregiver Pay
1. Program Guidelines: Each waiver program has its own caregiver compensation rules. For example, some allow family members to be paid for assisting with daily tasks.
2. Local Wage Rates: Hourly rates are often linked to the local cost of living and specific zip codes.
3. Qualifications and Experience: Specialized training or caregiving certifications can warrant a higher rate.
4. Level of Care: The complexity of the assistance (e.g., medical support vs. light housekeeping) affects the rate.
5. Market Demand: A shortage of caregivers in your area can increase hourly rates.
