Caregiver salary in the Philippines, and how to hire one for elderly parents

How much does a caregiver cost in the Philippines?

The clearest public figure we found is Indeed's: an average of ₱22,283 a month from 103 caregiver salaries reported in the Philippines, last updated 27 October 2026. It covers caregiver jobs in general, not only jobs in private homes, so use it as a reference point, not a rate card.

The legal floor comes from the Caregivers' Welfare Act (RA 11965): a caregiver's pay "shall not be less than the applicable minimum wage in the region" (Section 9). DOLE's implementing rules settle which rate: pay must not be less than "the prevailing minimum wage for non-agricultural workers in the private sector" (Department Order No. 254, series of 2025, Rule IV, Section 1(b)). That is the regular daily minimum wage for the region, which over a full month works out well above the kasambahay monthly minimum. The same rules set a normal workday of 8 hours, overtime of at least 25% on top of the hourly wage, and a night shift differential of at least 10% for work between 10 PM and 6 AM (Rule IV, Section 1(a)). For household workers under Batas Kasambahay, see the 2026 kasambahay minimum wage by region.

What you pay on top of the salary

Overtime is easy to overlook with elderly care. For round-the-clock care, plan for two caregivers in shifts, or a caregiver plus a family member, rather than one person working 24 hours.

Caregiver or kasambahay: which law applies?

Two laws can apply, depending on who you hire:

• Caregivers' Welfare Act (RA 11965). It covers caregivers in private homes, care facilities and other residential settings (Section 4). It defines a caregiver as someone at least 18 years old who is a licensed health professional listed with DOLE as a caregiver, or who has been assessed and certified by TESDA (Section 3).
• Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361). It covers any person doing domestic work, meaning work in or for a household, within an employment relationship (Section 4).

Both laws require a written contract, 13th-month pay, 5 days of paid leave after one year, and SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG. If you are not sure which law fits your hire, call DOLE's free hotline 1349 before you sign.

What a caregiver can do for an elderly parent

RA 11965 (Section 7) lists the kind of work a caregiver may do. It includes:

• Helping with daily activities and getting around
• Basic health checks: pulse, temperature, breathing rate, blood pressure and oxygen level
• Helping with simple exercises taught by a licensed rehabilitation specialist
• Helping give home medicines prescribed by the doctor
• Going with your parent to doctor's appointments
• Preparing food that fits your parent's health needs
• Light housekeeping in your parent's room

These are basic, supportive tasks. Ask your parent's doctor what level of care is needed before you write the job description.

How to hire a caregiver for elderly parents: 7 steps

1. Write down the care needs. Mobility, medicines, meals, night care, hospital visits, and whether you need live-in or live-out help.
2. Set the hours. Decide the daily schedule and the rest day first. Hours beyond 8 a day cost overtime.
3. Post the job and browse. On Pinoyaya you can post a caregiver job free, browse caregivers near your parent, see each one's asking rate and look for the ID-Verified badge.
4. Talk first in the app chat. Ask about past clients, the conditions they have handled and what they would do in an emergency. Then meet in a public place.
5. Check documents. Before signing, an employer may require a TESDA National Certificate, a caregiver training certificate, a medical certificate, an NBI or police clearance and a barangay clearance (RA 11965, Section 6). Ask to see originals. Our guide to checking background and references walks through each one.
6. Sign a written contract. RA 11965 (Section 5) requires a signed and notarized contract, with a copy for the caregiver, covering duties, period, work arrangement, pay, deductions, hours and overtime, rest days and leave, board and lodging, and termination.
7. Start with a short paid trial while you or a relative is at home, and agree how the caregiver will update you each day.

Paying a caregiver correctly

RA 11965 (Section 10) says wages go directly to the caregiver once every two weeks or twice a month, never more than 16 days apart. Pay in money, never in vouchers or promissory notes, and make no deductions except those the law requires or the caregiver agrees to in writing. Give a pay slip every pay day and keep a copy for three years (Section 12).

Arranging care from abroad?

If you work overseas and are arranging care for parents back home, read our guide for OFW families on vetting someone remotely with a trusted relative on the ground.

Common questions

How much is a caregiver's salary in the Philippines per month?

Indeed reports an average of ₱22,283 a month for caregivers in the Philippines, based on 103 salaries (updated 27 October 2026). The figure covers caregiver jobs in general, not only private homes. By law, pay cannot be below the applicable regional minimum wage.

What benefits does a caregiver get under the Caregivers' Welfare Act?

Under RA 11965, a caregiver gets overtime pay for work beyond 8 hours a day, night shift differential, 13th-month pay, at least 5 days of paid leave after one year, and SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG from the first day of work. Live-in caregivers also get at least three adequate meals a day and humane sleeping conditions.

Is a caregiver entitled to 13th-month pay?

Yes. Under RA 11965, a caregiver who has worked at least one month gets 13th-month pay of at least one-twelfth of the total basic salary earned in the calendar year, paid by 24 December or when the job ends.

What documents can I ask a caregiver for?

RA 11965 lets employers require a TESDA National Certificate, a caregiver training certificate, a medical or health certificate, an NBI or police clearance, and a barangay clearance before signing the contract.

Is a caregiver the same as a kasambahay?

Not always. RA 11965 defines a caregiver as someone 18 or older who is TESDA-certified or a licensed health professional listed with DOLE. Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361) covers anyone doing domestic work in a household within an employment relationship. If you are unsure which law applies, ask DOLE.

How do I hire a caregiver for an elderly parent?

List the care needs and hours, post the job and compare caregivers, talk in the app chat and meet in a public place, check the TESDA certificate and clearances, sign a written and notarized contract, and start with a short paid trial while family is around.

Sources

Checked on 1 Nov 2026. Laws and wage orders change: confirm current figures with the official source before you rely on them.

• Indeed Philippines: Caregiver salaries: average ₱22,283 a month, 103 salaries reported, updated 27 October 2026
• Republic Act No. 11965 (Caregivers' Welfare Act, 2023), full text: LawPhil
• DOLE Department Order No. 254, series of 2025: Implementing Rules of RA 11965 (signed 21 May 2025): Department of Labor and Employment
• Republic Act No. 10361 (Batas Kasambahay / Domestic Workers Act), full text: LawPhil
• TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)
• GMA News (23 May 2024): DOLE Hotline 1349 is a free 24/7 call center for labour concerns

This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. For your specific situation, ask DOLE (hotline 1349) or a Philippine labour lawyer.