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House sitter vs senior caregiver

The differences between house sitters and senior caregivers 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 $28,771 average annual salary of a senior caregiver.

The top three skills for a house sitter include PET, water plants and plant care. The most important skills for a senior caregiver are companionship, senior care, and in-home care.

House sitter vs senior caregiver overview

House SitterSenior Caregiver
Yearly salary$51,771$28,771
Hourly rate$24.89$13.83
Growth rate-36%
Number of jobs90,91867,227
Job satisfaction52
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
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 senior caregiver do?

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.

House sitter vs senior caregiver salary

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

House SitterSenior Caregiver
Average salary$51,771$28,771
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $108,000Between $22,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Portland, OR
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-CARE
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between house sitter and senior caregiver education

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

House SitterSenior Caregiver
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common college--

House sitter vs senior caregiver demographics

Here are the differences between house sitters' and senior caregivers' demographics:

House SitterSenior Caregiver
Average age4248
Gender ratioMale, 26.5% Female, 73.5%Male, 12.2% Female, 87.8%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.0% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage6%7%

Differences between house sitter and senior caregiver 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.

Senior caregiver example responsibilities.

  • Provide day-to-day assistance to the elderly with ADL needs.
  • Light housekeeping including pet care, empty and sanitize commode.
  • Maintain familiar routine, assist with decision making and pet care.
  • Assist patient with ADL's, by means of cooperative service plans.
  • Care of clients with Alzheimer's, dementia, stroke and post-operative hip replacement surgery.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and compassion to patient.
  • Show more

House sitter vs senior caregiver skills

Common house sitter skills
  • PET, 77%
  • Water Plants, 6%
  • Plant Care, 3%
  • Mowing, 2%
  • Administer Medications, 2%
  • Child Care, 2%
Common senior caregiver skills
  • Companionship, 24%
  • Senior Care, 10%
  • In-Home Care, 10%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Reminders, 6%
  • Meal Prep, 5%

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