Post job

Nanny vs companion

The differences between nannies and companions can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a nanny has an average salary of $40,262, which is higher than the $29,246 average annual salary of a companion.

The top three skills for a nanny include meal prep, kids and CPR. The most important skills for a companion are companionship, patients, and home health.

Nanny vs companion overview

NannyCompanion
Yearly salary$40,262$29,246
Hourly rate$19.36$14.06
Growth rate6%36%
Number of jobs69,70375,753
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%High School Diploma, 28%
Average age3748
Years of experience2-

What does a nanny do?

Nannies are family employees who are primarily responsible for taking care of children in the family's house. They are usually tapped to take care of the kids while the parents are at work or away on vacation. Their responsibilities include preparing food for the children, feeding the children, bathing them, dressing them up, ensuring that they take a nap, playing with them, and tucking them to bed at night. They also ensure that the schedule set by the parents is being followed. They may also do other household chores such as cleaning, watering the plants, washing the dishes, among others.

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.

Nanny vs companion salary

Nannies and companions have different pay scales, as shown below.

NannyCompanion
Average salary$40,262$29,246
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $61,000Between $22,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyMissouri State UniversityMerck
Best paying industryNon ProfitsNon Profits

Differences between nanny and companion education

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

NannyCompanion
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%High School Diploma, 28%
Most common majorPsychologyNursing
Most common college--

Nanny vs companion demographics

Here are the differences between nannies' and companions' demographics:

NannyCompanion
Average age3748
Gender ratioMale, 6.9% Female, 93.1%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage4%7%

Differences between nanny and companion duties and responsibilities

Nanny example responsibilities.

  • Feed, bathe, play, and teach them abc's, numbers, and colors.
  • Provide English language education (ESL) to young children.
  • Work closely with parents to counsel and motivate child with ADHD.
  • Tutor children in mathematics, reading, writing, and German/English.
  • Organize activities for children and provide childcare while parents work or run errands.
  • Develop into a caregiver, supporter, planner, and friend to the children.
  • Show more

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

Nanny vs companion skills

Common nanny skills
  • Meal Prep, 29%
  • Kids, 24%
  • CPR, 20%
  • Child Care, 6%
  • Household Chores, 4%
  • Transport Children, 1%
Common companion skills
  • Companionship, 20%
  • Patients, 16%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Provide Emotional Support, 7%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Meal Prep, 5%

Browse personal care and attendants jobs