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The role of a Patient Sitter is crucial in healthcare settings, providing companionship and basic care to patients. The average annual salary for patient sitters stands at $29,649, translating to about $14 per hour. However, salaries can differ significantly depending on the state, with some locations offering higher compensation due to demand and cost of living factors.
For instance, states like California and New York often report higher salaries for patient sitters, driven by the higher living costs and competitive job markets. According to recent data, patient sitters in these regions can earn upwards of $35,000 annually.
Additionally, experience plays a vital role in salary potential. Entry-level patient sitters may start at lower wages, while those with several years of experience can command significantly more. Understanding these salary trends is essential for individuals considering a career as a patient sitter, enabling them to make informed decisions about their job prospects and earning capabilities.
For job seekers, utilizing resources such as job boards and salary comparison tools can provide valuable insights into the most lucrative positions available. By staying informed about salary estimates and job opportunities, you can better navigate your career path in the healthcare field.
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The highest-paying states for patient sitters are Washington, Massachusetts, and Maine. The lowest average patient sitter salary states are New Mexico, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $35,104 | $16.88 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $34,623 | $16.65 |
| 3 | Indiana | $31,264 | $15.03 |
| 4 | Washington | $35,589 | $17.11 |
| 5 | Ohio | $32,040 | $15.40 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $35,312 | $16.98 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $31,565 | $15.18 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $30,909 | $14.86 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $29,324 | $14.10 |
| 10 | Michigan | $28,562 | $13.73 |
| 11 | Oregon | $32,142 | $15.45 |
| 12 | Nevada | $32,168 | $15.47 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $28,812 | $13.85 |
| 14 | South Dakota | $30,807 | $14.81 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $28,245 | $13.58 |
| 16 | Alaska | $32,324 | $15.54 |
| 17 | Arizona | $28,607 | $13.75 |
| 18 | New York | $30,331 | $14.58 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $28,098 | $13.51 |
| 20 | Idaho | $28,879 | $13.88 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $29,973 | $14.41 |
| 22 | California | $32,646 | $15.70 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $26,772 | $12.87 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $29,302 | $14.09 |
| 25 | Montana | $28,602 | $13.75 |
| 26 | Vermont | $29,023 | $13.95 |
| 27 | Colorado | $28,739 | $13.82 |
| 28 | Iowa | $27,249 | $13.10 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $32,355 | $15.56 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $24,901 | $11.97 |
| 31 | Missouri | $26,362 | $12.67 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $27,019 | $12.99 |
| 33 | Delaware | $28,632 | $13.77 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $25,585 | $12.30 |
| 35 | Kansas | $24,816 | $11.93 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $24,211 | $11.64 |
| 37 | Maryland | $27,041 | $13.00 |
| 38 | Illinois | $24,495 | $11.78 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $22,569 | $10.85 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $23,094 | $11.10 |
| 41 | Florida | $20,980 | $10.09 |
| 42 | Texas | $23,991 | $11.53 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $26,419 | $12.70 |
| 44 | Virginia | $25,246 | $12.14 |
| 45 | Utah | $24,423 | $11.74 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $21,290 | $10.24 |
| 47 | Georgia | $23,103 | $11.11 |
| 48 | Alabama | $23,270 | $11.19 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $21,428 | $10.30 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $20,815 | $10.01 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $20,279 | $9.75 |
The highest-paying cities for patient sitters are Seattle, WA, Boston, MA, and Fort Wayne, IN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $35,677 | $17.15 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $35,392 | $17.02 |
| 3 | Fort Wayne, IN | $32,579 | $15.66 |
| 4 | Oxnard, CA | $32,473 | $15.61 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $31,975 | $15.37 |
| 6 | Newark, NJ | $29,582 | $14.22 |
| 7 | Fort Collins, CO | $29,171 | $14.02 |
| 8 | Lansing, MI | $28,719 | $13.81 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $28,698 | $13.80 |
| 10 | Bristol, PA | $28,172 | $13.54 |
| 11 | Dover, DE | $28,166 | $13.54 |
| 12 | Baltimore, MD | $27,216 | $13.08 |
| 13 | Norman, OK | $25,506 | $12.26 |
| 14 | Elmhurst, IL | $24,640 | $11.85 |
| 15 | Chapel Hill, NC | $24,298 | $11.68 |
| 16 | Fort Worth, TX | $23,932 | $11.51 |
| 17 | Rock Hill, SC | $20,433 | $9.82 |
A patient sitter's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $29,649 | $2,471 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
The highest paying types of patient sitters are licensed nursing assistant, prn, and certified medical assistant/certified nurse assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRN | $39,642 | $3,304 | $19.06 | 72,309 |
| Nurse Technician | $33,005 | $2,750 | $15.87 | 195,553 |
| Nurses' Aide | $30,496 | $2,541 | $14.66 | 157,723 |
| Hospital Corpsman | $34,357 | $2,863 | $16.52 | 2,714 |
| Certified Nurses' Aide | $32,566 | $2,714 | $15.66 | 171,087 |
| Certified Phlebotomist | $34,509 | $2,876 | $16.59 | 44,574 |
Top companies hiring patient sitters now:
Patient sitter salaries at Carondelet High School and Massachusetts General Hospital are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average patient sitter salary at companies like LifePoint Health and HealthTrust are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carondelet High School | $38,997 | $18.75 |
| 2 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $38,284 | $18.41 |
| 3 | LifePoint Health | $34,863 | $16.76 |
| 4 | HealthTrust | $34,328 | $16.50 |
| 5 | Dignity Health | $34,231 | $16.46 |
| 6 | Tenet Healthcare | $34,018 | $16.35 |
| 7 | Universal Health Services | $33,886 | $16.29 |
| 8 | Prime Healthcare | $33,381 | $16.05 |
| 9 | Cook Children's Medical Center | $32,916 | $15.82 |
| 10 | Health First | $32,703 | $15.72 |
| 11 | DCH Health System | $32,303 | $15.53 |
| 12 | UCHealth | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 13 | Piedmont Healthcare | $32,095 | $15.43 |
| 14 | Lexington Medical Center | $31,988 | $15.38 |
| 15 | HonorHealth | $31,926 | $15.35 |
| 16 | Michigan State University | $31,909 | $15.34 |
| 17 | Providence Health & Services | $31,789 | $15.28 |
| 18 | Edward Hospital & Health Services | $31,774 | $15.28 |
| 19 | Adirondack Health | $31,733 | $15.26 |
| 20 | Excela Health | $31,673 | $15.23 |
The average patient sitter salary has risen by $4,871 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average patient sitter earned $24,778 annually, but today, they earn $29,649 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for patient sitters over the last decade.
Compare patient sitter salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare patient sitter salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,600 | $14.25 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $28,200 | $13.55 | -4.5% |
| 2023 | $29,400 | $14.15 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $28,400 | $13.64 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $27,400 | $13.18 | +3.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peace Health | Patient Sitter-Medical | Ketchikan, AK | 06/29/2025 | $37,733 |
| Clearcare Online | Weekend Sitter Needed In Hospital To Observe Patients! Daily PAY! | Birmingham, AL | 06/27/2025 | $25,044 |
| Hackensack Meridian Health | Patient Safety Sitter-Behavioral Health-Perth Amboy-Evening-Per Diem | Perth Amboy, NJ | 06/25/2025 | $35,729 |
| UNC Health Care Systems | Patient Sitter Emergency Room | Eden, NC | 06/25/2025 | $32,140 |
| Always Best Care | Weekend Sitter Needed In Hospital To Observe Patients! Daily PAY! | Birmingham, AL | 06/25/2025 | $25,044 |
| OSF Healthcare | Patient Sitter | Danville, IL | 05/30/2025 | $33,392 |
| Heartland Health | Patient Care Sitter | Saint Joseph, MO | 05/26/2025 | $31,827 |
| Xanitos Inc. | Patient Sitter Indeed Event/2025 | Altoona, PA | 05/22/2025 | $30,262 |
| Evergreenhealth | Patient Sitter-Nursing Resources (.9 FTE, Nights) | Kirkland, WA | 05/10/2025 | $45,956 |
| Evergreen Healthcare | Patient Sitter-Nursing Resources (.9 FTE, Nights) | Kirkland, WA | 05/08/2025 | $45,956 |
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