If you’re a caregiver working on Care.com, you probably wonder: How much much does care.com pay? While Care.com provides an opportunity to connect with families needing your services, your earnings depend on location, experience, and job type.
But just like rideshare and delivery drivers, caregivers in the gig economy need smart tools to track earnings, manage schedules, and optimize their income. That’s why using an income-tracking app like Gridwise can help you stay on top of your finances and maximize your pay. Let’s break down how much Care.com pays and how you can make the most of your caregiving work.
Here's what we cover:
How Much Does Care.com Pay?
Care.com allows caregivers to set their own rates, but actual earnings vary based on job type, location, and experience. Understanding industry pay rates can help you determine how to price your services competitively while ensuring you are fairly compensated.
The Average Pay Rates on Care.com
The rates for different types of caregivers on Care.com depend on various factors, including the type of service, the demand for caregivers in the area, and the caregiver’s experience.
- Babysitters and nannies typically earn between fifteen and twenty-five dollars per hour. Some nannies earn more depending on their experience and job responsibilities. The national average is around twenty dollars per hour for nannies and twenty-one dollars per hour for part-time babysitters.
- Pet sitters and dog walkers generally to earn between ten and twenty dollars per hour. Rates can vary based on the level of care required, the number of pets, and the location.
- Senior caregivers earn between sixteen and twenty-five dollars per hour. Those with specialized training or certifications may earn even higher rates.
- Housekeepers typically earn between twelve and twenty-five dollars per hour, depending on experience and job complexity.
What Factors Affect Your Pay Using Care.com?
Several factors determine how much caregivers can earn on Care.com.
- Location significantly impacts earnings. Caregivers in states with a higher cost of living, such as California or Washington, typically earn more than those in lower-cost areas.
- Specialized certifications, such as CPR and First Aid training, can increase earning potential. Families are often willing to pay more for caregivers with additional safety training.
- The type of service provided affects earnings. Babysitters and nannies who offer tutoring, meal prep, or household management may charge higher rates. Similarly, pet sitters who provide overnight care or dog training can earn more than those who offer only basic pet-sitting services.
- The number of hours worked plays a role in total earnings. Evening, weekend, and overnight shifts are often in higher demand and may pay more.
Caregivers on Care.com have control over their rates, but families may negotiate based on local demand and their budgets. Additionally, some bookings may include service fees that slightly reduce take-home pay.
Gridwise helps caregivers make smarter financial decisions by tracking income from multiple sources. Many caregivers work on Care.com while taking on rideshare or food delivery gigs. Gridwise consolidates earnings from these jobs into one dashboard, providing a complete picture of your income so that you can make informed choices about where to focus your time.
Care.com Payment Structure and Deductions
Before accepting jobs on Care.com, it is essential to understand how the platform handles payments and any fees or costs you may be responsible for.
Does Care.com Take a Percentage of Your Pay
Care.com does not take a percentage of caregivers’ earnings. Instead, families pay a subscription fee to access caregiver profiles. This means caregivers keep one hundred percent of their earnings, unlike gig platforms such as Uber or DoorDash, which take a commission from workers’ pay.
Additional Costs and Deductions to Consider
While Care.com does not take a percentage of your earnings, caregivers should be aware of certain costs associated with working on the platform.
- Background check fees: Care.com requires caregivers to undergo a basic CareCheck, which the platform covers. However, caregivers can choose to complete additional background checks, such as a motor vehicle records check or a more in-depth criminal records check. These checks help caregivers stand out and attract more families but come with additional costs. Some families may be willing to cover these fees if they request them.
- Taxes: Since caregivers on Care.com are independent contractors, they are responsible for reporting their earnings and paying taxes. Unlike traditional employees, independent contractors do not have taxes automatically withheld from their pay, which means they must set aside money for self-employment taxes.
Gridwise makes tax season easier by helping caregivers track their earnings and work-related expenses. The app automatically logs income and mileage, allowing caregivers to deduct eligible costs and reduce their tax burden. Without an income tracking system, caregivers risk missing significant deductions and paying more in taxes than necessary.
How Does Care.com Pay Caregivers?
Care.com offers multiple ways for caregivers to receive payments.
- Many caregivers receive direct payments from families through cash, Venmo, PayPal, or direct bank transfers. These payments are often arranged directly between the caregiver and the family.
- Care.com HomePay is a payroll service available for families who want to hire caregivers as household employees and manage tax withholdings on their behalf.
- Care.com provides an earnings calculator that caregivers can use to estimate their potential income based on location, job type, and experience level.
How to Maximize Your Earnings as a Care.com Caregiver
Caregivers who want to increase their earnings must take a strategic approach to pricing, services, and scheduling.
Track Your Earnings and Expenses
Many caregivers work gig jobs, including Care.com, Uber Eats, and Instacart. Tracking income across multiple platforms can be challenging, and failing to do so can result in financial uncertainty.
Gridwise helps caregivers manage their income by automatically tracking earnings from different platforms. With Gridwise, caregivers can see their total earnings in one place, understand which jobs are the most profitable, and log work-related expenses for tax deductions. This eliminates the stress of manually tracking income and ensures that caregivers always have a clear view of their financial health.
We also offer tax Benefits and discounts with our tax partners which can be accessed within the Gridwise app.
How Gridwise works
Offer Premium Services
Caregivers who provide additional services can charge higher rates.
- Obtaining CPR and First Aid certifications makes caregivers more competitive and allows them to increase their rates.
- Offering overnight care or extended shifts can help caregivers earn more per booking.
- Providing extra services such as tutoring, meal preparation, or light housekeeping can increase hourly pay.
Optimize Your Schedule
Caregivers who work at peak times often earn more.
- Identifying high-demand hours, such as evenings for babysitters and early mornings for pet sitters, allows caregivers to take advantage of better-paying opportunities.
- Working on weekends, holidays, and last-minute bookings often leads to higher pay.
- Using a scheduling tool like Gridwise helps caregivers see which hours are the most profitable and adjust their availability accordingly.
Take Control of Your Gig Work with Gridwise
Care.com provides flexible job opportunities, but managing income and expenses as a caregiver can be challenging. Without the right tools, it is easy to lose track of earnings, overlook tax deductions, and miss opportunities to maximize pay.
Gridwise makes it easier for caregivers to manage their finances by providing automated income tracking, expense logging, and earnings insights. With Gridwise, caregivers can make informed decisions, reduce financial stress, and increase their income.
Gridwise Plus
Earn more and keep more. Try free for 14 days.
Plus members earn 30% more on average within their first month.
Want to know what other gig workers are making?
- How Much Do Lyft Drivers Make?
- How Much Do Uber Drivers Make?
- How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make?
- Everything You Need to Know About Amazon Flex
- Walmart Spark Delivery Driver Pay: How Much Does a Walmart Spark Driver Make?
- How Much Can You Make on Instacart?
- How Much Do Shipt Shoppers Make?
- How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make?
