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What is a care associate and how to become one
A care associate works in healthcare, providing direct care to patients. They assist with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, and may also help with medication management and other medical procedures under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Care associates work in hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies. These professionals must exercise strong communication skills, patience, and compassion for their patients.
Avg. Salary $32,558
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 9%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.90%
Asian 7.77%
Black or African American 9.49%
Hispanic or Latino 14.56%
Unknown 4.93%
White 62.35%
Genderfemale 77.71%
male 22.29%
Age - 41American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 41Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a Care Associate?
Pros
Variety in daily tasks and responsibilities
Opportunity for personal growth and development
Flexible work schedules available
Emotional fulfillment from making a difference in someone's life
Potential for career advancement within the field
Cons
Physically demanding work
Emotional toll of caring for those with serious illnesses and/or disabilities
May require working long hours or overnight shifts
Low pay compared to other healthcare professions
High stress environment with little control over emergencies or unexpected events
Care Associate career paths
Key steps to become a care associate
Explore care associate education requirements
Start to develop specific care associate skills
Skills 
Percentages Patients 24.25% Vital Signs 11.10% PCA 7.34% Phlebotomy 6.93% CPR 6.52% Complete relevant care associate training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New care associates learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a care associate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real care associate resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed care associate usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed care associate in most of states. 25 states require care associates to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License Url Alaska Degree required Third-party exam required Nurse Aide Arkansas Specific course required Both state and third-party exams required Nursing Assistant (Certified) California Specific course required State exam required Certified Nurse Assistant Colorado Specific course required State exam required Nurse Aide Connecticut Specific course required State exam required Nurses Aide Gain additional care associate certifications
More About CertificationsCare associate certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific care associate certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for care associates include Medical Assistant and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT).
Research care associate duties and responsibilities
- Manage ventilator settings, suction tracheostomy, tube-feeding assistance.
- Provide direct care to patients in intensive care unit with empathy, compassion and enthusiasm.
- Utilize strong interpersonal skills to educate patients on procedures, rehabilitation and contraception methods.
- Care for patients requiring telemetry monitoring and work collaboratively with telemetry technician/nurses to detect and report abnormalities to physicians.
Prepare your care associate resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your care associate resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a care associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Care Associate Resume templates
Build a professional Care Associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Care Associate resume.
Apply for care associate jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a care associate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Care Associate Job
Are you a Care Associate?
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Average care associate salary
The average Care Associate salary in the United States is $32,558 per year or $16 per hour. Care associate salaries range between $21,000 and $48,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do care associates rate their job?
Care Associate reviews
Very fulfilling and rewarding
Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!
All the changes with certification and how you can be on the floor of a facility and know not even common sense. How they have hospitality aides, hca, and people going to start a free class. Back in the day we were called glorified babysitters I never agreed until we have just a warm body with no license(s) whom can't do anything even as small as getting ice waters. I've worked hard tobe where i am and these people take a computer class and pass we would call that our continuing education hrs but what do i know after 23 yrs. I once REALLY loved my job and still do but it's almost like being in grade school with people who have phone's lol It bothers me that many new or non licensed bodies have the audacity to come in these facilities and act like the residents are on their time! We are in their home to help provide ADL's amongst other things like them still trying to be & keep their independence. The ridiculous amount they have to spend to have the care they get from some people makes me wanna die young!! Our system sucks unless its the government making the dollar. I just wish they'd spend an 8 hr shift in these facilities before signing off on some rules & regs. Im not political by any means but those who take the dollar should get to live and experience a day of what our elderly lived ones are forced to experience daily , monthly, yearly! In fact the state hasn't even done the 18 month annual expectation in over 2 yrs at the place im contracted at 👍way to keep up on stuff and by stuff I mean our elderly living human beans. People who deserve to be served on gold plates or at least gave better food then what they serve daycares and if not that at least for it to be at high minimum warm food !! In 23 yrs of being a CNA I can only try to write a book to get out all the things I've seen ,heard. & witnessed in the years.
I like the Patient care part of the job. Seeing the patients get better and go home
Nothing
Updated January 8, 2025
