Caregiver Pay In NC Is Less Than Average — See By How Much

NORTH CAROLINA — Taking care of someone in need has long been a job for someone in North Carolina who can show enormous compassion. That’s especially been true in the 15 months since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, as older Americans are at a higher risk for contracting the virus and suffering from its most severe effects.

But that compassion hasn’t often been awarded with high pay. In fact, a recent study shows caregivers in North Carolina and everywhere else in America get paid less than a worker making an average salary.

Caregivers in North Carolina get paid an average of $22,920 a year, compared with the $51,010 annual mean wage for all other occupations, according to a Business.org report. That’s 55 percent less than average for caregivers, who needs to work an average of 68.5 hours a week to be able to afford rent, the report states.

The U.S. is home to more than 3 million caregivers, including the several thousand working in North Carolina. But even in the states that provide the highest pay for caregivers compared to other jobs, workers in the field are still making considerably less.

Consider North Dakota: It ranks as the best for caregiver pay with an average yearly mean wage of $34,020. Yet that’s still 35 percent less than the average worker pay in the state, Business.org found in its study, which included home health aides and personal care aides as caregivers.

The District of Columbia ranks last on the list, with caregivers getting 67 percent less than the average worker, and Virginia a close second, with caregiver pay coming in at 61 percent less.

The majority of the lowest-paying states have high populations, the study found. Texas, for example, has caregivers making 58 percent less than the average salary.

Top five states for caregiver pay, compared to state average worker pay:

1. North Dakota, $34,020
2. Vermont, $33,810
3. South Dakota, $27,810
4. Idaho, $27,800
5. Kentucky, $27,310

Bottom five states for caregiver pay, compared to state average worker pay:

46. Alabama, $20,960
47. Delaware, $25,350
48. Louisiana, $19,800
49. Texas, $21,750
50. Virginia, $23,360

SEE ALSO:

• 3 NC Counties Among 2021’s Healthiest Communities: US News
• $1M Lottery Winner Announced As NC Aims To Up Vaccination Rates
• Low Vaccination Rate Leads To Critical COVID Spread In NC County