How to hire a resident care aide

Resident care aide hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring resident care aides in the United States:

HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
The median cost to hire a resident care aide is $1,633.
Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per resident care aide on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
There are currently 80,664 resident care aides in the US and 164,696 job openings.
Augusta, GA, has the highest demand for resident care aides, with 8 job openings.
Pittsburgh, PA has the highest concentration of resident care aides.

How to hire a resident care aide, step by step

To hire a resident care aide, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a resident care aide:

Here's a step-by-step resident care aide hiring guide:

Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
Step 3: Make a budget
Step 4: Write a resident care aide job description
Step 5: Post your job
Step 6: Interview candidates
Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new resident care aide
Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a resident care aide job for free, promote it for a fee

Identify your hiring needs

Before you start hiring a resident care aide, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

Determine employee vs contractor status

Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

A resident care aide's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, resident care aides from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

The following list breaks down different types of resident care aides and their corresponding salaries.

Type of Resident Care Aide	Description	Hourly rate
Resident Care Aide	Personal care aides help clients with self-care and everyday tasks. They also provide social supports and assistance that enable clients to participate in their communities.	$10-17
Companion	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... Show more	$10-18
Sitter	A sitter is responsible for assisting medical needs under the supervision of an attending physician, registered nurses, and other health professionals. Sitters monitor the patients' daily activities and perform medical duties such as taking the patient's temperature, administering medications, monitoring food intake, helping with bathing needs, and responding to the patients' inquiries, concerns, and requests... Show more	$9-18

Create an ideal candidate profile
Common skills:
- CPR
- Home Health
- Assist Residents
- Patients
- Vital Signs
- RCA
- ADL
- Memory Care Residents
- Developmental Disabilities
- Blood Pressure
- Senior Care
- Alzheimer
- Administer Medications
- Oral Hygiene
Check all skills
Responsibilities:
- Recognize by physicians for ability to meticulously prepare patient's chest and attach leads to obtain excellent quality EKG tracings.
- Operate medical devices (hoyer, sit to stand, walkers, wheelchairs) [].
- Take care of residents per ADL's (dressing, basic hygiene, toileting, medication reminders and ambulation).
- Perform wound, catheter, and colostomy care.
- Escort residents to meals with walkers or wheel chairs.
- Assist in emptying a catheter as well as providing the daily peri-care.
Make a budget
Including a salary range in your resident care aide job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A resident care aide salary can vary based on several factors:
- Location. For example, resident care aides' average salary in alabama is 42% less than in maine.
- Seniority. Entry-level resident care aides earn 41% less than senior-level resident care aides.
- Certifications. A resident care aide with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
- Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a resident care aide's salary.
Average resident care aide salary
$13.87hourly
$28,846 yearly
Entry-level resident care aide salary
$22,000 yearly salary
Updated January 31, 2026
Writing a resident care aide job description
A job description for a resident care aide role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a resident care aide job description:
Resident care aide job description example
- IMMEDIATE needs in North and South Pinellas County.
- Shifts that are offered: All shifts 8 & 12 hours
$500 sign on BONUS +

- We offer weekly pay and direct deposit!

- Referral bonus program!

-We offer the following Staffing positions to GUARANTEE a paycheck each week AND to BONUS. The following positions are open:

• Contract Staffing ** You will still be a w2 employee**

• Deployment Specialist

• Weekend Warrior

• Please be advised the bonus will be paid out once you’ve completed your contract agreement.

Job Requirements:

~ TB test results within 1 year

~ CPR card

~ Ability to pass the AHCA Level 2 Background screening and tri-county criminal background screening

~ Credentials necessary per state and company policy - will be discussed

Join the BrightStar family!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

*SIGN ON BONUS PROGRAM

RECEIVE $500 FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM

BrightStar Care of Pinellas County would like to reward YOU with a $500 sign on Bonus!

This bonus will be paid out to you after you have successfully completed 90 days of continuous employment and the following requirements:
1. Must work 32 hours weekly
2. Cannot call off
3. Cannot have any disciplinary actions
4. Must work for your agreed rate when you are hired.
Post your job
There are various strategies that you can use to find the right resident care aide for your business:
- Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
- Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
- Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
- Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
Post your job online:
- Post your resident care aide job on Zippia to find and recruit resident care aide candidates who meet your exact specifications.
- Use field-specific websites.
- Post a job on free websites.
Interview candidates
Your first interview with resident care aide candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.
Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.
The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.
Send a job offer and onboard your new resident care aide
Once you've selected the best resident care aide candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.
It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.
To prepare for the new resident care aide first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.
Go through the hiring process checklist
- Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
- Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
- Define job responsibilities and requirements
- Establish budget and timeline
- Determine hiring decision makers for the role
- Write job description
- Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
- Promote the job internally
- Process applications through applicant tracking system
- Review resumes and cover letters
- Shortlist candidates for screening
- Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
- Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
- Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
- Conduct background checks on top candidates
- Check references of top candidates
- Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
- Extend offer to top candidate(s)
- Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
- Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
- Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
- Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a resident care aide?

There are different types of costs for hiring resident care aides. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new resident care aide employee.

The median annual salary for resident care aides is $28,846 in the US. However, the cost of resident care aide hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a resident care aide for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $10 and $17 an hour.

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Updated January 31, 2026

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How to hire a resident care aide