The Average Salary for Working in a Home for the Elderly
Many types of employees work in homes for the elderly, often referred to as elderly homes or nursing homes, including nurses, nursing assistants, physical therapists, social workers, housekeepers and dietary staff. Some types of employees have much more education than others and some must maintain certification from the states in which they work. For these reasons, the average salary for working in a home for the elderly varies from position to position.
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Nurses
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Nursing homes providing care for the elderly often hire both licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs). They must be licensed by the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that LPNs working in an elderly home earned a median salary of $40,580 in May 2008. RNs earned a median salary of $57,060 during that same time period.
Certified Nursing Assistants
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Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide personal care to elderly home residents and assist nurses in their duties. They must be licensed by the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median hourly wage for CNAs working in elderly care homes in May 2008 was $11.13.
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Physical Therapists
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While physical therapists often work in hospitals or outpatient therapy centers, some work in elderly care homes. They help elderly patients regain their movement, balance and ability to walk, if possible. They also teach them to use equipment like walkers and to do things like transfer themselves from wheelchairs to beds and back again. They earned a median annual salary of $76,680 in May 2008.
Social Workers
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Social workers help elderly residents of homes with emotional issues. They also help with practical matters, such as helping them find ways to pay for the care they need. Social workers working in elderly care homes earned a median wage of $41,080 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Housekeepers
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Housekeepers in elderly homes clean residents' rooms, bathrooms and common areas. They may also clean the kitchens, but sometimes dietary staff handles that job. Housekeepers also do laundry. In May 2009, housekeepers in elderly homes earned a median hourly wage of $9.91.
Dietary Staff
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Registered dietitians plan meals for residents of elderly homes, including special diets for those with diabetes or other special needs. Dietary aides help prepare and serve the meals and handle clean-up in the kitchen after meals. Dietitians working in elderly care homes earned a median annual salary of $51,110 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to Indeed.com, as of April 2011, dietary aides earned an average annual wage of $26,000.
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References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nursing and Psychiatric Aides
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physical Therapists
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Social Workers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dietitians and Nutritionists
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