Companion Caregiver Jobs in Washington State

What is companion care?

Companion care is non-medical, non-hands-on caregiving focused on company, supervision, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and the daily tasks that keep an older adult or person with a disability safe and connected. A companion caregiver spends a shift talking with the client, making meals, doing laundry, driving to appointments, walking, and ensuring the home is safe. There is no bathing, toileting, transferring, wound care, or medication administration.

Washington State is different from every other state on this list because the legislature passed I-1029 in 2008, requiring all long-term care workers — including companion-level paid caregivers — to complete a 75-hour Home Care Aide (HCA) training program and pass a state competency exam within 200 days of hire. Even unpaid family caregivers who become paid through Medicaid or private channels must complete this training. The only sizable exemption is direct, unpaid family caregiving with no employer relationship.

This makes Washington's "companion" tier closer in practice to a Personal Care Aide tier in other states. Most Washington companion-level workers are formally Home Care Aides and can perform hands-on personal care when needed. Wages reflect the higher training threshold: Washington pays companion-level workers $18–$23/hour statewide, well above the national average for non-CNA care.

Most Washington companion clients are older adults living in single-family homes, condos, or 55+ communities whose adult children may live nearby but work full time. Others include adults with disabilities living independently, post-discharge patients, and clients with early-stage cognitive change. The state's I-1029 framework means clients can expect a higher baseline of training from any paid caregiver.

How much do companion caregivers make in Washington State?

Companion-level caregivers in Washington State typically earn between $18 and $23 per hour in 2026 — the highest of any state covered in this guide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Washington's median wage for home health and personal care aides at roughly $19.50/hour, with the top 10% earning around $25/hour. Washington's training requirement narrows the gap between "companion" and "personal care" tiers significantly.

Pay varies by metro. Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and the broader Eastside typically pay $22–$28/hour for private-pay companion-level care, with $30+ for experienced HCAs. Tacoma, Olympia, and Everett pay $19–$24. Spokane and the Tri-Cities pay $17–$21. Vancouver (WA) sits between Seattle and Portland-area pay scales at $18–$22. Bellingham and the San Juans pay $17–$22. Direct-hire pay typically beats agency pay by $2–$4/hour.

Washington's Medicaid program (Apple Health) covers in-home care through Community First Choice (CFC) and the COPES/New Freedom waivers, administered by the Department of Social and Health Services' Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). Individual Provider (IP) wages — paid by the state through SEIU 775 contract — start at around $20/hour in 2026 with steps up to $22+/hour based on training and tenure. Agency-employed HCAs typically earn $18–$22/hour.

Live-in and overnight roles in Washington are subject to specific Department of Labor & Industries rules. Live-in caregivers typically earn $260–$380/day. Overnight awake shifts (8–10 hours) pay $20–$26/hour. The combination of strong unionization and the state's I-1029 training requirements keeps overnight pay well above the national average.

Typical hourly pay in Washington State: $18–$23/hour (Seattle/Eastside $22–$28; Medicaid IP $20–$22)

Who pays for companion care in Washington State?

Washington has one of the strongest public-sector funding mixes for in-home care in the country, anchored by the SEIU 775-bargained Individual Provider program. Private-pay still dominates the high end:

What does a companion caregiver actually do?

A Washington companion-level shift centers on conversation, supervision, daily routines, and household tasks. Most Washington companion-level workers are HCA-certified and can also help with personal care when needed. Common companion duties:

• Conversation, reminiscing, reading aloud, watching shows or news, playing cards or chess — the heart of the job is being a warm, attentive presence
• Preparing meals and sitting down to eat together — major for nutrition, hydration, and fall prevention
• Light housekeeping — dishes, laundry, tidying common areas, making the bed, taking out trash and recycling
• Grocery shopping, pharmacy pickups, and other errands using your car or the client's
• Transportation to medical appointments, the senior center, church, salon visits, or family gatherings
• Companionship walks in the neighborhood, at the park, or around the block — Washington's walking culture supports daily movement
• Medication reminders — telling the client it is time, not handing or administering pills
• Supervision for safety — appliances off, doors locked, no fall hazards, the client not wandering
• Helping plan the day, write down appointments, use the phone or video call, and operate technology
• Documenting the shift in a notebook or app so the family knows about meals, mood, and anything worth flagging

Do you need a certification for companion care in Washington State?

Yes — Washington is unique. Under I-1029, almost all paid long-term care workers must complete the 75-hour Home Care Aide training and pass a state competency exam within 200 days of hire. This applies even to non-medical companion-level work.

Family member needs care? You may be able to be paid.

Washington State has several Medicaid and VA programs that let family members get paid to provide care at home — including companion care. See the full state guide:

Companion caregiver jobs in Washington State — FAQ