What is a care provider and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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A care provider supports individuals who require help with daily tasks due to age, illness, or disability. Care providers work in hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences. Their responsibilities include administering medication, preparing meals, assisting with personal hygiene, and providing emotional support. They also manage medical equipment and keep accurate patient records. Care providers use communication skills, patience, and empathy. They work under the supervision of healthcare professionals and adhere to safety and hygiene standards.

ScoreCare ProviderUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,652

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.0

Growth Rate 36%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.40%

Asian 8.28%

Black or African American 9.07%

Hispanic or Latino 22.29%

Unknown 4.63%

White 54.33%

Gender

female 77.92%

male 22.08%

Age - 50
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50
Stress Level
8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.4

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
9.6

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Care Provider?

Pros

  • Flexibility in scheduling

  • Possibility for personal and professional growth

  • Variety of tasks keeps the job interesting

  • Potential for job security with an aging population

  • Competitive pay and benefits

Cons

  • Irregular schedules that may include weekends or holidays

  • Limited advancement opportunities in some settings

  • Need for ongoing education and training to stay up-to-date on best practices and regulations.

  • Lack of control over client case assignments.

  • High-pressure situations when dealing with emergency medical care.

Care Provider career paths

Key steps to become a care provider

  1. Explore care provider education requirements

    Most common care provider degrees

    High School Diploma

    29.9 %

    Bachelor's

    28.1 %

    Associate

    20.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific care provider skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Senior Care22.65%
    Patients13.04%
    Administer Medications6.22%
    Direct Care6.20%
    Meal Prep5.94%
  3. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed care provider usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed care provider in most of states. 25 states require care providers to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    State
    ascdesc
    Education
    ascdesc
    Exam
    ascdesc
    License Url
    ascdesc
    AlaskaDegree requiredThird-party exam requiredNurse Aide
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredBoth state and third-party exams requiredNursing Assistant (Certified)
    CaliforniaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredCertified Nurse Assistant
    ColoradoSpecific course requiredState exam requiredNurse Aide
    ConnecticutSpecific course requiredState exam requiredNurses Aide
  4. Gain additional care provider certifications

    Care provider 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 provider certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for care providers include Medical Assistant and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research care provider duties and responsibilities

    • Manage provider network to include verifying claims and benefits for healthcare providers/members and insurance companies.
    • Aid and facilitate higher functioning patients reach their fullest potential while managing behavioral episodes as needed.
    • Accompany to medical appointments, administer medications, assist with ADL's, community integration, personal care, and therapeutic activities
    • Review appeals for Medicare non-participating providers following CMS specific guidelines for these providers.
  6. Prepare your care provider resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your care provider 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 provider 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 Provider Resume templates

    Build a professional Care Provider 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 Provider resume.
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  7. Apply for care provider jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a care provider job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Care Provider Job

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Average care provider salary

The average Care Provider salary in the United States is $29,652 per year or $14 per hour. Care provider salaries range between $17,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average Care Provider Salary
$29,652 Yearly
$14.26 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do care providers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Care Provider reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023
Pros

Very fulfilling and rewarding

Cons

Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Cons

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.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

Helping client Maintain themselves in their own home until the end of life.my goal

Cons

Working behind a caregiver that’s not well trained


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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