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The differences between companions and caregivers assistant can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a caregiver assistant has an average salary of $30,471, which is higher than the $29,246 average annual salary of a companion.
The top three skills for a companion include companionship, patients and home health. The most important skills for a caregiver assistant are compassion, customer service, and senior care.
| Companion | Caregiver Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $29,246 | $30,471 |
| Hourly rate | $14.06 | $14.65 |
| Growth rate | 36% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 75,753 | 177,566 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 28% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A companion is responsible for assisting sick and recovered patients, as well as the elderly. Companions perform housekeeping duties, ensuring that a facility is well-maintained and safe for the use of the patients. They also monitor the patients' medication, prepare their meals based on a medical professional's prescription, support them on their daily activities, respond to the patients' needs and special requests as allowed, and report any developments to their family or guardians. A companion must be compassionate enough to extend physical and emotional support, depending on the client's condition.
A caregiver assistant provides care and assistance to elderly patients or those with mobility issues. They usually work at assisted living facilities where they are in charge of helping patients eat, bathe and dress, go to the toilet, take walks in the garden, and drink medicine. They also perform chores such as preparing meals according to nutrition plans, doing the laundry, arranging beds, and maintaining the cleanliness of different areas. Moreover, a caregiver assistant also builds positive relationships with patients to give them emotional support and help them feel comfortable.
Companions and caregivers assistant have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Companion | Caregiver Assistant | |
| Average salary | $29,246 | $30,471 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $38,000 | Between $23,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Spokane, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Merck | The Center for Enriched Living |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a companion and a caregiver assistant in terms of educational background:
| Companion | Caregiver Assistant | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 28% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between companions' and caregivers assistant' demographics:
| Companion | Caregiver Assistant | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9% | Male, 17.6% Female, 82.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 8.4% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |