Caregiver Jobs in Hampton, Virginia: Pay and How to Get Hired (2026)

Updated

Hampton (population ~137,000) has steady demand for home health aides, personal care aides, and CNAs as its older population grows. This guide covers what caregivers actually earn here, which employers are hiring, what certifications you need, and the fastest way to land a caregiver job.

Caregiver pay and hiring in Hampton

Caregiver pay in Hampton tracks the Virginia market, where the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median wage for home health and personal care aides at $14.21/hr ($29,563/yr) — about 12% below the national median of $16.12/hr, with an average near $14.80/hr. New hires with no experience typically start a dollar or two under the median; CNAs, dementia-care specialists, live-in caregivers, and private-pay clients pay meaningfully more.

Hiring in Hampton is essentially year-round because turnover is high and demand keeps rising. The most reliable places to find work are private-pay home care franchises (Visiting Angels, Home Instead, Comfort Keepers, Right at Home and similar), Medicaid-contracted attendant agencies, home health agencies that take hospital-discharge referrals, and hospice providers. Staffing agencies and online marketplaces (Care.com, Indeed, local Facebook groups) fill the rest. Most employers hire on a rolling basis and can bring you on within a week or two once your background check clears.

To get hired fast in Hampton: apply to several agencies at once rather than waiting on one, be flexible on hours and location to start, and highlight any hands-on experience (even unpaid family caregiving counts). A CNA or HHA certificate is a wage bump and unlocks hospital-discharge work, but most non-medical personal-care roles only require a background check, a TB test, and the agency's own short orientation in CPR, first aid, and personal care.

If instead you want to be paid to care for your own family member, Virginia Medicaid can often cover that through Cardinal Care CD — a different path from agency employment. See who qualifies, how much it pays, and whether a spouse can be paid on our Virginia Cardinal Care CD guide.

Where Hampton caregivers work

Private-pay home care franchises
National brands and local agencies serving private clients across Hampton. Usually the highest hourly rates and the most flexible scheduling; a good first place to apply.
Medicaid-contracted attendant agencies
Agencies that staff attendants for Virginia Medicaid members. Steady hours and a large volume of openings, though rates are set by the program.
Home health & hospital-discharge agencies
Agencies taking post-acute referrals from Hampton-area hospitals. Slightly higher pay; they want reliable aides who can handle more complex cases.
Hospice and palliative-care providers
Hospice aides typically earn a little more than home health aides and work shorter, scheduled visits. Consistent demand.
Staffing agencies and gig marketplaces
Care.com, Indeed, and local staffing firms are the fastest way to pick up shifts while your agency applications process.

Hampton quick facts

City population
~137,000
State BLS median wage
$14.21/hr ($29,563/yr)
Pay basis
Virginia metro average (BLS OEWS)
Typical certification to start
None required for non-medical personal care; CNA/HHA is a wage bump
Family-caregiver Medicaid option
Cardinal Care CD (see our Virginia guide)
Fastest way to get hired
Apply to several agencies at once; be flexible on hours to start

Get paid to care for family in Virginia

Virginia has several Medicaid, state-funded, and VA programs that pay family members to provide in-home care. Eligibility and pay vary — see the full breakdown:

Read the Virginia caregiver pay guide →

Hampton caregiver jobs FAQ

How much do caregivers make in Hampton in 2026?

The BLS median for Virginia is $14.21/hr ($29,563/yr) across home health and personal care aides, about 12% below the national median. Starting pay with no experience is usually a dollar or two lower; CNAs, live-ins, dementia-care specialists, and private-pay clients commonly earn several dollars more per hour.

How do I become a caregiver in Hampton with no experience?

Most non-medical personal-care jobs in Hampton do not require prior experience or a license. Apply to several home care agencies, pass a criminal background check and TB test, and complete the agency's short orientation (CPR/first aid, infection control, personal care basics). Highlight any unpaid family caregiving — it counts. You can usually start within a week or two.

Which agencies hire caregivers in Hampton?

The most active hirers are private-pay franchises (Visiting Angels, Home Instead, Comfort Keepers, Right at Home), Medicaid-contracted attendant agencies, home health agencies that take hospital-discharge referrals, and hospice providers. Applying to several at once is the fastest way to get placed.

Do I need a certification to work as a caregiver in Hampton?

For non-medical personal care, Virginia generally does not require a state caregiver certification — agencies handle a background check, TB test, and their own orientation. A CNA or HHA certificate is optional but raises your pay and opens hospital-discharge and skilled-care work.

Are caregiver jobs in Hampton full-time or part-time?

Both are common. Agency work often starts at 20-30 hours a week since clients want a few hours a day, but full-time and live-in roles are widely available, especially through private-pay franchises. Many caregivers combine two clients or add a private-pay shift to reach full-time hours.

Can I get paid to take care of a family member in Hampton?

Often yes — but through Medicaid, not agency employment. If your relative qualifies for Virginia Medicaid and enrolls in Cardinal Care CD with the self-directed option, you can usually be hired and paid as their caregiver. See the full rules, pay, and spouse eligibility on our Virginia Cardinal Care CD guide.