How much do family caregivers get paid in Hawaii?
Around $14–$23/hr — and here is what moves that number.
Your pay is not a posted wage. It comes out of a care budget that Hawaii sets from your relative's assessed needs, which is why two caregivers in the same town can be paid differently.
What Hawaii pays family caregivers
$14–$23/hr
Your exact pay is set by the program and your care plan. We'll tell you your real number before you enroll.
Source: Hawaii Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
What sets your number
self-directed: participant hires the caregiver; a financial management services (FMS) agency handles payroll/taxes; services authorized through the member's QI health plan (MCO)
- Spouse can be paid?
- Yes
- Parent paid for a child?
- Sometimes
- Waitlist
- Some programs have no waitlist.
Where the money comes from
This is Medicaid money, not a grant and not a charity. In Hawaii it runs through QUEST Integration self-direction, administered by Hawaii Dept. of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division (MQD); 800-316-8005 (O'ahu 808-524-3370); ADRC 808-643-2372
310,300 people in Hawaii — 21% of the state — are 65 or older, spread across 5 counties. The programs on this page exist because caring for them at home costs the state far less than a nursing home does.
From first call to first paycheck
- 2 minutes
Check eligibility
Five questions tell you which Hawaii program fits, and roughly what it pays.
- usually weeks
Medicaid + care assessment
Hawaii confirms your relative qualifies and how much help they need. The hours in that assessment become your paid hours.
- after approval
Enrol and hire
Your relative enrols, then names you as their caregiver. Background check, paperwork, done.
- every pay period
Get paid
You log the hours you already work and are paid for them, like any job.
How to start in Hawaii: Apply for Med-QUEST online at MyBenefits or with form DHS 1100 at a Med-QUEST Service Center (800-316-8005); once enrolled, request a long-term-services assessment through the QI health plan.
Hawaii pay questions, answered honestly
How much do family caregivers get paid in Hawaii?
Figures reported for Hawaii land around $14–$23/hr, but that is a range, not a promise. Your rate is set inside your relative's care plan and budget. We tell you your real number before you enroll.
What decides my exact hourly rate?
Three things: how much help your relative is assessed as needing, which Hawaii program they are on, and who administers the payroll. self-directed: participant hires the caregiver; a financial management services (FMS) agency handles payroll/taxes; services authorized through the member's QI health plan (MCO)
How many hours a week can I be paid for?
Hours come from the care assessment, not from how many you actually work. That is the single biggest thing families get wrong — an honest assessment is worth more than any negotiation later. We help you prepare for it.
Is family caregiver pay taxable?
Usually yes — it is normally treated as wages, with taxes withheld. One exception is worth asking about: the IRS difficulty-of-care rule can make some payments tax-free when the caregiver lives with the person receiving care.
Can I be paid to care for my spouse in Hawaii?
yes — relatives including spouses and adult children can be hired under QI self-direction There is a full page on this: see spousal caregiver pay in Hawaii.
Can a parent be paid for caring for their own child in Hawaii?
limited — self-direction allows hiring relatives, but payment of a parent for a minor child is not documented; confirm with Med-QUEST
Is there a waitlist in Hawaii?
Medicaid/QI enrollment is an entitlement, but HCBS/LTSS participant slots can be limited — waitlist can form when full
How do I apply in Hawaii?
Apply for Med-QUEST online at MyBenefits or with form DHS 1100 at a Med-QUEST Service Center (800-316-8005); once enrolled, request a long-term-services assessment through the QI health plan.
Married and caring for your husband or wife? Read the spouse rules for Hawaii →
Sources: medicaidplanningassistance.org · medquest.hawaii.gov · Population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau · Updated September 2026. Rates change — always confirm with the program.
Where most Hawaii caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Hawaii — pick yours for the local picture.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.