How much does a private PSW actually cost you?
The wage you agree on is only part of the number. This calculator estimates your true employer cost per hour and per month, gross wages, vacation pay, employer CPP and EI, and an estimated workers’ compensation amount, so you can compare direct hire against an agency hourly rate you enter.
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How to use this calculator
- Select your province.
- Enter the hourly wage you expect to pay your private caregiver or PSW.
- Enter hours per week.
- Optionally enter an agency hourly rate from a quote you received.
- Read your true employer cost per hour and per month, then compare it to the agency line.
What “true employer cost” includes
Your caregiver’s wage is the starting point. Once you are the employer, these costs sit on top of it.
| Component | Why it’s in the total |
|---|---|
| Gross wage | Why it’s in the total What you agree to pay the worker |
| Vacation pay | Why it’s in the total Employment standards require vacation pay or time off |
| Employer CPP and CPP2 | Why it’s in the total Matching contributions once the employment is pensionable |
| Employer EI | Why it’s in the total Applies once the employment is insurable |
| Estimated workers’ comp | Why it’s in the total A provincial estimate, included as a guide. Check whether you must register in your situation. |
Ontario, BC, and Alberta notes
The calculator works in every province. These are the differences that matter most for the three provinces families ask about.
| Province | What to know | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | What to know Employer CPP and EI apply once you are the employer. For WSIB, a private individual who directly employs an attendant for personal or physical care is generally not required to register. A domestic employee working over 24 hours a week usually is. If your caregiver does both, the dual role isn’t clearly classified, so ask WSIB rather than assume. | Read next Hiring a private PSW in Ontario → |
| British Columbia | What to know WorkSafeBC often requires registration for an ongoing home health worker at 8 or more hours a week. If your care is funded through CSIL, extra rules apply. | Read next CSIL payroll in BC → |
| Alberta | What to know The same calculator math applies to a direct hire. If you are on Self-Managed Care, your program adds its own rules and reporting. | Read next Alberta Self-Managed Care payroll → |
2026 payroll rates used in these estimates
The calculator uses these federal rates when it works out your employer CPP and EI.
| Contribution | Withheld from your caregiver | You pay as the employer | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPP (Canada Pension Plan) | Withheld from your caregiver 5.95% | You pay as the employer 5.95% | Applies to Pay up to $74,600 a year, after a $3,500 basic exemption |
| CPP2 (second CPP contribution) | Withheld from your caregiver 4% | You pay as the employer 4% | Applies to Pay above $74,600, up to $85,000 a year |
| EI (Employment Insurance) | Withheld from your caregiver 1.63% | You pay as the employer 2.282% | Applies to Insurable earnings up to $68,900 a year. Employer EI is 1.4 times the employee premium, not a matching share. CPP and CPP2 are the same rate for both of you. |
2026 federal rates, outside Quebec. Quebec uses reduced EI rates and QPIP, so confirm current figures with the CRA before you remit.
Next steps once you see the numbers
- If you’re hiring in Ontario, follow the private PSW hiring guide .
- Register a CRA payroll account once you’re the employer.
- Run payroll with clear pay stubs. Start free 30-day trial ($24/month or $228/year, unlimited employees).
Related caregiver payroll guides
Flat pricing for one caregiver, or several
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Compare Full Access for one caregiver or several.
Caregiver payroll pricingTurn these estimates into real pay runs
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a private PSW cost in Ontario?
It depends on the wage you agree to, plus employer CPP and EI, plus workers’ comp only if your situation requires it. Run the calculator with Ontario selected and enter the hourly wage you expect to pay to see your true cost.
How much does private home care cost per hour?
Agency quotes and direct-hire numbers land in different places. Enter both your planned wage and an agency rate you were quoted to compare them side by side.
Does the calculator show my caregiver’s take-home pay?
The main numbers here are your employer costs, since that’s what you’re budgeting for.
Why is my total higher than the hourly wage?
Because employer CPP, EI, and vacation accruals sit on top of gross wages once you’re the employer.
Is workers’ compensation always included?
No, treat any workers’ comp line as an estimate. Ontario’s attendant vs domestic distinction and BC’s hour thresholds work differently. Confirm with WSIB, WorkSafeBC, or your provincial board.
Can I use this for BC or Alberta?
Yes, just change the province. If your care is funded through a program, also read our CSIL or Alberta Self-Managed Care pages.
Does RoostPay charge per caregiver?
No. Pricing is $24/month or $228/year with unlimited employees on Full Access.
Does RoostPay remit to the CRA or pay my caregiver by direct deposit?
RoostPay works out the exact amounts and gives you pay stubs, T4s and ROEs, so you pay your caregiver by e-Transfer or through your own bank and remit to the CRA.
Sources
- CRA CPP, CPP2, and EI 2026 rate pages
- WSIB, industry-specific coverage
- WorkSafeBC, homeowners
Last updated: 2026-09-25. Estimates only, not a quote, tax advice, or workers’ compensation ruling. Confirm figures with the CRA and your provincial board before you hire or remit.