Home health and personal care aides in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area earn a median of $15.93/hour ($33,140/year), based on the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. That is 1.2% below the national caregiver median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2023. SOC 31-1121 + 31-1122 (combined).
The $15.93/hour figure is the BLS median across all employers — that includes home care agencies, hospice services, and self-employed caregivers. Several legitimate paths can put you on the higher side of that range:
Several California Medicaid waivers, state programs, and VA benefits allow family caregivers to be paid an hourly wage. See exactly which programs you qualify for and how to apply step-by-step.
The average hourly wage for home health and personal care aides in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is $17.32, with a median of $15.93. Annual pay averages $36,030 (mean) or $33,140 (median), per BLS OEWS May 2023 data.
Caregivers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara earn 1.2% below the national median of $16.12/hour.
Yes — through Medicaid's consumer-directed services, VA programs, or private long-term care insurance. See our California guide for the exact application steps.
Not always for non-medical companion care, but a CNA, HHA, or PCA certificate is required by most agencies and typically increases hourly pay by 10–25%. Medicaid-funded roles often require state-approved training.
