What Is a Caregiver? Caregiver Jobs & Requirements

Caregiving is an essential role in healthcare and community support. Caregivers provide day-to-day help for people who are elderly, disabled, ill, or recovering from injury. Their work allows individuals to live with dignity, independence, and comfort.

If you’re exploring this career, you may be asking: What is a caregiver job, what training is required, and how much can you earn? Below, you’ll find details about caregiver duties, types of caregiving roles, and how salaries and requirements compare.

What Is a Caregiver? Caregiver Jobs & Requirements

A caregiver is someone who provides physical, emotional, or practical assistance to individuals who cannot fully care for themselves. Caregivers may support clients with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals, and mobility. They can also provide companionship, ensure safety, and coordinate with family members or healthcare providers.

Requirements depend on the role. Some caregiving jobs only ask for a high school diploma and on-the-job training, while others require formal certification or healthcare coursework. The common thread across all caregiving jobs is compassion, patience, and a willingness to put others’ needs first.

What Does a Caregiver Do?

Caregivers handle many responsibilities to improve quality of life for their clients. This can include helping with personal-care tasks such as bathing, grooming, and eating, as well as assisting with mobility or medication reminders. Many caregivers also prepare meals, manage housekeeping, or provide transportation to appointments.

Equally important is the emotional side of caregiving, offering companionship, listening, and building trust with clients and families. In medical settings, caregivers may also record health details or relay information to nurses and doctors. The job is hands-on, personal, and centered on support.

Types of Caregivers

Caregiver jobs come in many forms, ranging from unpaid family roles to licensed healthcare positions. Some caregivers focus on companionship, while others take on more medical-related responsibilities under supervision. Below, you’ll find types of caregiver roles, including training length and salary expectations.

1. Rehabilitation Aide

Rehabilitation aides support physical and occupational therapists by helping patients work toward recovery and independence. In this role, you may prepare therapy spaces, assist with mobility exercises, and track patient progress. 

Many employers look for candidates who have completed an associate degree in a health-related field, which can give you an edge when applying. This job is a strong choice if you’re interested in therapy careers and want to build experience in a clinical setting.

• Training length: Two years 
• Median salary: $60,050 per year

2. Home Health Aide

Home health aides provide vital care for people who need support at home. You might help with bathing, dressing, medication reminders, or checking vital signs, often under the direction of a nurse. 

Most states require training programs and certification, which include both classroom study and supervised practice. This role includes personal assistance and basic health tasks, making it a good starting point if you’re interested in healthcare but want to work outside a traditional facility.

• Training length: 75 hours of training; 16 hours of supervised practical work
• Average salary: $40,038 per year

3. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

CNAs are an essential link between patients and medical staff in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab centers. In this role, you’ll take vital signs, help with mobility, support daily hygiene, and keep records for nurses. 

To qualify, you must complete a state-approved training course and pass the certification exam. The job is physically demanding but rewarding, giving you direct patient contact and a pathway toward other healthcare careers.

• Training length: 75 hours of training; 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical work
• Median salary: $39,430 per year

4. Family Caregiver

Many people become family caregivers when a loved one needs support due to age, illness, or disability. This informal role often includes cooking, transportation, medication reminders, and personal care. 

You won’t need formal certification, but the responsibilities can be heavy, and families sometimes rely on community resources or training workshops for help. While not usually paid in the traditional sense, some family caregivers qualify for government stipends or assistance programs.

• Training length: Short-term on-the-job training
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

5. Personal Care Aide

If you want to start in caregiving with minimal barriers, becoming a personal care aide is one of the most accessible options. These aides help clients with meals, grooming, errands, and companionship, usually in private homes or community centers. 

Employers typically ask for a high school diploma or GED, and training happens on the job. Strong communication skills and empathy are vital, since much of the work is about building trust and making daily life easier for clients.

• Training length: Short-term on-the-job training
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

6. Assisted Living Caregiver

Working in an assisted living facility means supporting residents with daily routines while coordinating with nurses and other staff. Duties often include helping with personal hygiene, organizing activities, and ensuring residents follow care plans. 

Some facilities hire caregivers with little experience, but many prefer applicants who have CNA training or related certification. Because you’re part of a team, this role combines direct care with the chance to build ongoing relationships in a community environment.

• Training length: 75 hours of training; 16 hours of supervised practical work
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

7. Respite Caregiver

Respite caregivers step in so family caregivers can take a break, whether for a few hours or several days. The tasks vary; sometimes you’ll help with meals and hygiene, while other times your main role is simply offering companionship. 

Requirements depend on the situation: informal jobs may only need prior caregiving experience, while agencies may ask for certification. Flexibility is key here, since every family’s needs look a little different.

• Training length: High school diploma or equivalent; Training varies by state
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

8. Dementia Caregiver

Supporting someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia requires patience, structure, and specialized knowledge. Dementia caregivers help with daily care but also focus on safety, behavior management, and memory support. 

Employers often prefer candidates who have completed dementia care training or Alzheimer’s care certification. If you’re compassionate and able to stay calm under pressure, this role lets you make a big difference in quality of life for both clients and their families.

• Training length: One to six months
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

9. Companion Caregiver

Companion caregiving centers more on social and emotional support than medical care. You might spend time chatting, playing games, going on walks, or helping with light housekeeping. Training isn’t required, making this a common entry-level caregiving job. 

The focus is on building trust and easing loneliness for seniors or disabled clients. If you’re outgoing and empathetic, companion caregiving offers a rewarding way to support independence and connection.

• Training length: Short-term on-the-job training
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

10. Live-In Caregiver

Live-in caregivers move into a client’s home to provide constant care and support. The job combines tasks like meal preparation, personal hygiene, companionship, and medication reminders. 

Because of the close living arrangement, employers usually look for prior experience and sometimes CPR or first aid certification. While demanding, this type of caregiving creates continuity and stability for clients who need round-the-clock support.

• Training length: 40 to 75 hours 
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

11. Hospice Caregiver

Hospice caregivers provide comfort and support to people nearing the end of life. The role includes personal care, companionship, and emotional support for both patients and families. Many work alongside hospice nurses, chaplains, and social workers. 

While formal certification isn’t always required, specialized hospice training is often provided by agencies. Compassion and emotional strength are especially important, since the focus is on dignity and quality of life rather than recovery.

• Training length: Short-term on-the-job training
• Median salary: $34,900 per year

12. Pediatric Caregiver

Pediatric caregivers specialize in supporting children with disabilities or chronic health conditions. You might help with daily routines, provide developmental support, or coordinate with healthcare professionals and parents. 

Many positions require CPR and first aid certification, and some ask for additional pediatric care training. This role calls for energy, patience, and creativity, since children’s needs are highly individualized. It’s a meaningful option if you enjoy working with kids and want to support both families and young patients.

• Training length: Short-term on-the-job training; four to eight hours CPR and first aid certification
• Median salary: $32,050 per year

FAQs About Caregivers

If you’re considering a caregiving career, it’s normal to have questions about certification, training, and how these roles differ from nursing. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns.

What Is the Difference Between a Caregiver and a Nurse?

Caregivers focus on daily living support, such as meals, hygiene, and companionship. Nurses, on the other hand, provide medical care, administer treatments, and use clinical expertise to diagnose and manage health conditions. 

While caregivers ensure comfort and safety in everyday life, nurses handle the medical aspects of patient care. Both roles often work side by side in home or healthcare settings.

Do You Need Certification To Be a Caregiver?

Not every caregiver job requires certification. Entry-level positions, such as companion caregivers or personal care aides, typically include on-the-job training. However, specialized roles, like certified nursing assistants or home health aides, require state-approved training programs and exams. 

If you plan to work in medical facilities or with Medicare/Medicaid clients, certification is usually necessary. Check your state’s regulations to understand the exact requirements.

Can You Be a Caregiver With No Experience?

Yes, you can begin a caregiving career with no prior experience. Many agencies and employers provide training for entry-level roles, such as personal care aides or companion caregivers. 

Background in customer service, childcare, or volunteering can also be useful. As you gain experience, you can pursue certifications to qualify for higher-paying positions or roles in medical settings. 

What Qualities Make a Good Caregiver?

Strong caregivers are compassionate, patient, and reliable. Good communication skills help you build trust with clients and families, while adaptability lets you handle unexpected situations. 

Physical stamina can also be important, since the work sometimes involves lifting, mobility assistance, or long shifts. Above all, successful caregivers show empathy and respect, creating a positive environment for those they support.

Explore Caregiver Training Programs

If you’re ready to begin a caregiving career, the next step is finding the right training path. Explore caregiver training programs and certifications on Learn.org to compare options and choose the one that matches your goals.