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House sitter vs companion

The differences between house sitters and companions can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a house sitter has an average salary of $51,771, which is higher than the $29,246 average annual salary of a companion.

The top three skills for a house sitter include PET, water plants and plant care. The most important skills for a companion are companionship, patients, and home health.

House sitter vs companion overview

House SitterCompanion
Yearly salary$51,771$29,246
Hourly rate$24.89$14.06
Growth rate-36%
Number of jobs90,91875,753
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%High School Diploma, 28%
Average age4248
Years of experience--

What does a house sitter do?

House Sitters are individuals who manage their clients' homes while these clients are away. Clients connect or engage with house sitters days or weeks before their planned trip. During this preparation period, clients and house sitters agree upon the scope of the engagement. House Sitters may be assigned to do basic household chores such as cleaning the house, watering the plants, laundry, collecting mail, and taking care of house pets. House Sitters are expected to spend their time on the property if there are no other errands outside. House sitters must build trust with their clients to ensure longevity in the business.

What does a companion do?

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.

House sitter vs companion salary

House sitters and companions have different pay scales, as shown below.

House SitterCompanion
Average salary$51,771$29,246
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $108,000Between $22,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Merck
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between house sitter and companion education

There are a few differences between a house sitter and a companion in terms of educational background:

House SitterCompanion
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%High School Diploma, 28%
Most common majorPsychologyNursing
Most common college--

House sitter vs companion demographics

Here are the differences between house sitters' and companions' demographics:

House SitterCompanion
Average age4248
Gender ratioMale, 26.5% Female, 73.5%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%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%
LGBT Percentage6%7%

Differences between house sitter and companion duties and responsibilities

House sitter example responsibilities.

  • Manage light grounds keeping work such as mowing and watering plants.
  • Apply quality temporary tattoo art to theme park customers, ensuring customer satisfaction according to their specifications.
  • Provide traditional and non-traditional henna tattoos for proms.

Companion example responsibilities.

  • Assist residents with use of bedpans, urinals, commode, and bathroom and assist with routine catheter care.
  • Experience with wind care, colostomy, fluid and electrolyte balance; assist with ambulation, ADL's and medication administration.
  • Provide companionship to elderly patients which also include feeding and light bathing
  • Perform first aid, knowledgeable with CPR.
  • Display empathy, compassion, care, and love.
  • Used skills as: compassion, listening, problem solving.
  • Show more

House sitter vs companion skills

Common house sitter skills
  • PET, 77%
  • Water Plants, 6%
  • Plant Care, 3%
  • Mowing, 2%
  • Administer Medications, 2%
  • Child Care, 2%
Common companion skills
  • Companionship, 20%
  • Patients, 16%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Provide Emotional Support, 7%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Meal Prep, 5%

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