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The differences between companions and senior caregivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a companion has an average salary of $29,246, which is higher than the $28,771 average annual salary of a senior caregiver.
The top three skills for a companion include companionship, patients and home health. The most important skills for a senior caregiver are companionship, senior care, and in-home care.
| Companion | Senior Caregiver | |
| Yearly salary | $29,246 | $28,771 |
| Hourly rate | $14.06 | $13.83 |
| Growth rate | 36% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 75,753 | 67,227 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 28% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| 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 senior caregiver is responsible for supporting the elderly, disabled patients, and other persons with illnesses or has difficulty managing themselves alone and assist them with their daily activities. Senior caregivers monitor the patients' behaviors, keep records of health conditions, administer medications, and prepare the patients for medical procedures. They also coordinate with the attending physicians and other medical health professionals in developing quality care plans and services for the patients, following the standard procedures and health safety requirements.
Companions and senior caregivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Companion | Senior Caregiver | |
| Average salary | $29,246 | $28,771 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $38,000 | Between $22,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Merck | CARE |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a companion and a senior caregiver in terms of educational background:
| Companion | Senior Caregiver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 28% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between companions' and senior caregivers' demographics:
| Companion | Senior Caregiver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9% | Male, 12.2% Female, 87.8% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.0% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |