The CareWage™ Calculator: See Your True Earning Potential
Use this tool to understand how Colorado’s experience-based wage tiers apply to authorized service hours. Wages are determined by verified experience and are part of our commitment to professionalizing family caregiving.
Colorado Caregivers Deserve Transparency
Cutting through the noise
Caregiver pay is complicated. Different programs, counties, and service types mean wages vary from $17 to $25 per hour in 2026.
Simplified Transparency
Our Caregiver Wage Calculator simplifies it. Enter your details and see what you should earn, instantly.
Real Numbers
No more guessing. No more hidden math. Just real numbers.
We recognize family caregiving as a professional discipline. By operating with maximum efficiency, we are able to reward your years of expertise with an experience-based wage structure that reflects the true value of the care you provide.
Try CareWage™ Now & See Your Estimated Pay Right Away
Be sure to have your Personal Care, Homemaking, and Health Maintenance hours on hand.
Hi , here is your estimate!
This is an unofficial estimate based on the information you provided.
Estimate Breakdown
Want to earn at the top of this scale? Join our waitlist
Why Trust the CareWage™ Score?
Most agencies keep their pay formulas a secret. We don’t. The CareWage™ calculator is built on the Official 2026 Colorado Medicaid Fee Schedule.
- Real Data: Updated with the latest reimbursement rates.
- Location Accurate: Adjusts for Denver vs. Non-Denver wage floors.
- Service Specific: Distinguishes between standard Personal Care, Homemaking, and skilled IHSS Health Maintenance (which pays more).
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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.