The CareWage™ Calculator: See Your True Earning Potential
The care you provide is a professional service. It’s time you were rewarded for it.
Use our proprietary calculator below to estimate your potential weekly and annual earnings based on the current Colorado Medicaid rates. At Caregivers First Choice, we believe in transparency, we want you to see the "Visible Rewards" of your dedication before you even speak with us.
Try CareWage™ Now & See Your Estimated Pay Right Away
Don't know your exact hours yet? No problem — estimates work perfectly. You can always refine later.
✅ Built on the official 2026 Colorado Medicaid Fee Schedule
✅ Adjusts automatically for Denver vs. non-Denver wage rates
✅ Takes about 60 seconds
, here's what you could be earning.
Based on current 2026 Colorado Medicaid rates. A Caregivers First Choice advisor can walk you through exactly how to get here.
Estimate Breakdown
Want to earn at the top of this scale? Let's get started!
The Math Behind Your Number
Most wage estimates in this industry are guesses. The CareWage™ Calculator is different — every figure it generates is pulled directly from the Health First Colorado Medicaid reimbursement tables and calculated against your specific inputs.
- 2026 Medicaid Rates: Updated to reflect the latest state reimbursement schedule — not last year's numbers, not averages.
- County-Level Accuracy: Denver County's higher local minimum wage floor is factored in automatically. Your estimate reflects what you'd actually earn in your area.
- Service-Type Precision: Health Maintenance Activities (HMA) are skilled work. The calculator treats them that way — applying the higher reimbursement tier they command rather than averaging everything together.
- Overtime Included: If your authorized hours exceed 40 per week, the calculator applies the 1.5x overtime rate to those additional hours automatically.
Your result isn't an approximation. It's what your true care should be paid.
The CareWage™ Tenure Track
We believe your pay should be a calculation, not a guessing game. Our proprietary pay scale uses a Tenure Wage Multiplier to permanently increase your hourly rate based on the work you have already done for your family.
Tier 1
(Entry Level)
New to Care
For those just starting their journey in professional caregiving.
Formula:
Above Standard Base Rate
Tier 2 (Experienced)
2–4 Years of Family Care
You have managed daily living tasks (ADLs) for a loved one. You know the routine.
Formula:
Base Rate x Tenure Multiplier
Tier 3
(Expert)
5+ Years of Complex Care
You manage skilled tasks like meds, mobility, or memory care. You are the expert in the room.
Formula:
Base Rate x Expert Multiplier (Top of Scale)
How to Get Paid to Care for Your Loved One
The transition to Community First Choice (CFC) has opened the door for more families to receive professional wages for the care they provide at home. Whether you are a parent, a spouse, or a close friend, the state of Colorado recognizes that the best care is often provided by those who know the member best.
See if You Qualify
In Colorado, you can be a paid caregiver if:
- The person you care for is a Colorado Medicaid member.
- The member requires assistance with daily living tasks (Health Maintenance, Personal Care, or Homemaker services).
- You are at least 18 years old and can pass a background check.
- Special Rule for Families: Under the 2026 guidelines, parents of minors and spouses are classified as Legally Responsible Persons (LRPs) and are now eligible for paid caregiving. Learn more in our LRP Survival Guide.
Identify the Level of Care
Your pay rate is determined by the medical necessity of the type of care you provide:
- Health Maintenance Activities (HMA): Skilled tasks like G-tube feeding, medication management, or wound care. This is the path to professional-level pay. Learn how to qualify without a CNA license.
- Personal Care: Daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and mobility.
- Homemaker: Household tasks like laundry and meal prep. Note: LRPs are subject to a 5-hour weekly cap for these specific tasks.
The "No-CNA" Advantage
Unlike traditional agencies that require you to attend school and get a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license, Caregivers First Choice utilizes the In-Home Support Services (IHSS) model. This allows our Registered Nurses to train and validate you in your own home, getting you to a "Skilled Pay" rate faster and without the hurdle of state exams.
Why Choose Caregivers First Choice?
We aren't just a payroll company; we are your Technical Partners in the Medicaid system.
- Visible Rewards: We offer some of the most competitive reimbursement rates in Colorado because we believe the money should follow the care—straight into your pocket.
- Stewardship & Integrity: We help you navigate the complex DCSC Unit Limits and Justification Narratives to ensure your care plan is medically sound and protected from cuts.
- Tax Efficiency: We help live-in caregivers leverage IRS Notice 2014-7 to ensure their wages are excludable from federal gross income. View the Tax-Free Wage Guide.
Ready to Turn Care into a Career?
Estimating your wage is the first step. The second is securing your future in the 2026 transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the CareWage™ Calculator?
Extremely accurate. It pulls directly from the Health First Colorado (Medicaid) reimbursement tables for IHSS, Personal Care, and Homemaking factoring in your specific county and experience level.
Why does Health Maintenance pay more?
Under the IHSS program, Health Maintenance Activities (like wound care or G-tubes) are skilled tasks. Because they require higher-level nurse delegation, Caregivers First Choice passes that higher reimbursement rate on to you.
Do I have to join Caregivers First Choice to use the calculator?
No. The calculator is free for everyone. But if you want to be paid at the top of the scale, join our waitlist.
Why is the rate different in Denver County?
Denver County has a significantly higher local minimum wage than the rest of Colorado. To comply with local laws and maintain our "Living Wage" promise, our Base Tier in Denver starts higher than the state average.
Does this calculator include overtime?
The calculator estimates your Gross Annual Income based on the total weekly hours you input. If you are authorized for more than 40 hours per week, overtime rates (1.5x) generally apply to those additional hours, potentially increasing your actual take-home pay beyond this estimate.
