Senior companionship

BLS reports a median of $17.21 an hour for home health and personal care aides, but its data exclude self-employed workers and private households, so they don't measure privately hired companions. Papa claims a $13-$18 base rate and up to $17.00 in Florida. Care.com cites $33 an hour as the median client cost, which is not what a worker keeps.

The main catches are state registration rules, which vary (see below), and approval time: Papa approval takes 1 to 2 weeks. It suits people comfortable spending a visit alone with an older adult.

How the money works

Papa classes Pals as independent contractors and doesn't publish a per-visit fee or what share of the client price a Pal receives. On Care.com, pay is negotiated directly between caregiver and family. The Senior Companion Program works differently: sponsors pay a tax-free stipend to volunteers whose income qualifies, and clients pay nothing. One sponsor reported $4 an hour in 2023 and another $4 an hour in 2025. Those are local sponsor figures, not a confirmed national rate.

What companions actually earn

Care.com's posted starting rates average $21.87 in Chicago and $26.76 in Seattle, but these are asking rates, not earnings. No source reports what privately hired companions net. The FTC's complaint said Care.com did not track actual earnings and based its claims on average listed rates, and the $8.5 million settlement requires earnings claims to be true and backed by evidence.

Where the hours go

BLS says part-time work is common and schedules vary. Papa's Pal page says one-way commute mileage is paid where it applies, and its Florida page says mileage depends on location. Papa doesn't publish pay for travel time.

What it costs to start

Vehicle insurance in your own name is the main ongoing cost for Papa work.

Where to find companion work

Care.com charges caregivers a membership from $24.99 a year that auto-renews. Its fees and terms are covered on its platform page.

Local agencies are another route. Care.com says agency employees have taxes withheld, while independent caregivers handle their own taxes and insurance. Senior Companion programs run through local sponsors, and a Nebraska sponsor reported uncertainty about federal funding in 2025, so confirm your local program is enrolling.

Licensing, status and tax rules in the U.S.

Florida requires even a solo individual with no staff to register with AHCA to provide companion services. Texas's FAQ defines personal assistance services as routine ongoing care enabling activities of daily living under a home and community support services agency license, but doesn't say whether companion-only work needs one. Rules differ elsewhere, so ask your state health or aging agency before taking clients.

The line is hands-on care. Florida's registration does not permit bathing, feeding or changing, and Papa's Pal page says Pals have no hands-on contact or medication.

IRS Publication 926 says you're self-employed if only you control how the work is done. It gives a control test, not a companion-specific ruling, and a family that employs you may owe household employment tax once cash wages reach $3,000 in 2026. As a contractor, self-employment tax applies at $400 or more in net earnings.

If an agency employs you, federal minimum wage and overtime rules for home care apply to it; DOL proposed changing them in July 2025.

Risks and red flags

Papa's agreement lets it deactivate a Pal at any time, for any reason, and failing to report a lost license or accident means automatic termination. Care.com may terminate access and bar re-registration for violations.

Working alone in a client's home carries safety and accusation risk. Fierce Healthcare reported that a Bloomberg review of more than 1,200 complaint reports about Papa found allegations of assault, harassment and theft involving both seniors and caregivers, after which Papa tightened vetting. Papa offers in-app emergency support through Noonlight and tells Pals to call 911 in emergencies.

Who companion work fits, and who should skip it

Fits you if:

• You have an insured car and want visits scheduled through an app, as Papa does.
• You're comfortable spending a visit alone with an older adult, which pet sitting and house cleaning don't involve.
• You want a volunteer role with a tax-free stipend and no cost to clients, and your income qualifies.

Skip it if:

• You need predictable weekly hours or pay. Papa's rate varies by location, Care.com pay is negotiated, and sponsor funding can change.
• You'd rather work with animals or homes than with someone's care needs. Try dog walking or browse other local services.
• You have no insured car and are under 55. Papa requires a vehicle, and Senior Companion volunteers must be 55 or older.

How to start

1. Check your state's rules. In Florida, read AHCA's registration FAQ. Elsewhere, ask your state health or aging agency.
2. Read Papa's Pal requirements to confirm your age, vehicle and background check status.
3. Apply on Papa's Pal page: safety training, ID selfie, background check consent, then bank details to get paid.
4. For the volunteer route, search americorps.gov for a Senior Companion Program sponsor near you and ask whether it is enrolling, given recent funding uncertainty.
5. Before paying for Care.com, read its terms of use and background check page.
6. Before accepting a family's direct offer, ask whether they will treat you as a household employee, and read Publication 926.
7. If you're self-employed, set money aside for self-employment tax.