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Care Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Care Assistant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Care Assistant in the United States is $38,384 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Care Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,999
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,138 to $41,847
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,182
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Care Assistant Salaries

A Care Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Care Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Care Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $35,586
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $32,110
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,610
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $43,094
  • Expert (over 8 years): $43,147
Levels Salary
Behaviora... Level Care Assistant$35,586
Home Care... Level Care Assistant$32,110
Care Assi... Level Care Assistant$38,610
Home Care... Level Care Assistant$43,094
Home Care... Level Care Assistant$43,147
View as Graph

How Do Care Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Care Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $42,499.
  • California: $42,338.
  • Massachusetts: $41,774.

Top Paying Cities for Care Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $48,414
  • San Francisco: $47,884
  • Oakland: $46,875

What Skills Can Increase a Care Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.96% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 5.76% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 3.03% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.96%
CPR 5.76%
First Aid 3.03%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Care Assistant's salary.

  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination $44,526
16%
Collaboration $43,758
14%
Accountability $43,374
13%
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Care Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Care Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Care Assistant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Care Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Care Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$46,061$22.020%

How Education impacts a Care Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Care Assistants enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Care Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $33,262 and $35,106).

Care Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Care Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.0%
High School 48.0%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 8.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Care Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Care Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$35,138
Average $38,384/year
$41,847
$2,928
Average $3,199/month
$3,487
$676
Average $738/week
$805
$17
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,847 $3,487 $805 $20
Average $38,384 $3,199 $738 $18
25th Percentile $35,138 $2,928 $676 $17

Most common benefits for Care Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Care Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Care Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Care Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Care Assistant?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Care Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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