What can you really Say about the Salary of Caregivers Living In Jordan with reference to their duties? When most people think of Jordan, their minds go straight to ancient ruins, desert landscapes, or the salty stillness of the Dead Sea. The reality is that when considering this country focus should also be based on the career opportunities which include caregiving jobs and the economic-based activities.
Concealed within all that history and beauty is a quiet workforce of caregivers, men and women who care for the elderly, children, and individuals with special needs in homes across Amman, Irbid, and beyond. These are the unsung hands behind everyday comfort in many Jordanian households. But while their role is deeply human and often emotional, the question still lingers, how much do caregivers in Jordan actually earn?
Unlike some Western countries where caregiver salaries are often standardized or government-backed, Jordan paints a different picture. Here, wages can swing dramatically based on nationality, experience, live-in vs live-out roles, and even negotiation skills. So, if you’re curious about the numbers behind the care, what the average caregiver really takes home at the end of the month this write-up lays it all out in a clear and simple way. No fluff, just real insight into what caregiving looks like, salary-wise, in the heart of the Middle East.
Average Salary of a Caregiver Living in Jordan
Talking money can feel a bit awkward, but when it comes to caregiving in Jordan, it’s important to know what’s fair, what’s typical, and what’s unfortunately too common. So let’s break it down in simple terms, just the real numbers and what they mean for caregivers on the ground.
Monthly Salary Range
On average, caregivers in Jordan earn between 150 to 350 Jordanian Dinar (JOD) per month. That’s roughly $210 to $500 USD, depending on various factors like those we’ve already discussed especially nationality, experience, and whether the job is live-in or live-out.
Lower End of the Scale (150–200 JOD)
This bracket is sadly common for many foreign domestic workers, particularly those working without formal contracts. These caregivers often work long hours, live in, and perform a wide range of duties, yet receive the bare minimum. For some, especially those sending money back home, it’s still seen as better than nothing.
Mid-Range (200–300 JOD)
Caregivers with a few years of experience or those working for families who follow labor guidelines tend to fall into this category. It’s not extravagant, but it’s more sustainable especially if food and housing are also provided.
Higher End (300–350+ JOD)
At this level, you’ll often find caregivers who either have advanced skills or certifications, work with expat families or wealthier Jordanian households, are live-out caregivers who cover their own living costs, or simply negotiated better terms with their employers.
Check out: Visa Sponsorship jobs in Jordan for foreigners
Is There a Minimum Wage?
Yes and at the same time no. Jordan has a minimum wage, but domestic workers, including caregivers, often fall into a gray area. The law doesn’t always get enforced, and many caregivers especially migrants still earn less than the legal minimum without any consequences for employers.
What’s Left After Expenses?
For live-in caregivers, most expenses like food and accommodation are covered, so what they earn can be sent home or saved. Live-out caregivers, though, may have rent and transport to worry about, which can significantly eat into their income.
Factors That Influence the Salary of a Caregiver in Jordan
In Jordan, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to how much a caregiver earns. It’s not just about the job title, it’s about who you are, where you work, and what you’re expected to do. Here are the main factors that shape a caregiver’s paycheck in Jordan:
1. Nationality and Legal Status: Where you’re from matters a lot. Many caregivers in Jordan are migrants, especially from countries like the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, or Bangladesh. Sadly, this often means lower wages compared to local or Western caregivers doing the same work. Plus, those working under sponsorship or without proper documentation might get paid far below the standard, simply because they have little room to negotiate.
2. Live-in or Live-out Arrangement: Caregivers who live with their employers (live-in) usually receive lower salaries because accommodation and food are already covered. On the other hand, live-out caregivers might earn slightly more since they have to cover their own rent, transport, and daily expenses. It’s a trade-off that depends on personal preference and financial needs.
3. Experience and Specialized Skills: Someone who’s been caring for elderly patients with dementia for five years is likely to earn more than someone just starting out. If you’ve got training in first aid, physical therapy assistance, or child development, that can also push your salary higher. Families often pay more when they know they’re hiring someone who truly knows what they’re doing.
4. Language Skills: Being able to communicate well, especially in Arabic or English, is a huge plus. Employers tend to favor caregivers who can speak the local language or at least basic English, and that advantage can reflect in their salary.
5. Location Within Jordan: Wages in Amman, the capital, are often higher than in smaller towns or rural areas. That’s because the cost of living is higher in cities, and more affluent families are typically based there. The more urban the setting, the higher the chance of better pay but also more workload.
6. Working Hours and Job Scope: A caregiver working 10-hour shifts every day, including weekends, with duties ranging from cooking to bathing and housekeeping, may earn more than someone working part-time or with a lighter workload. But here’s the catch: the pay doesn’t always match the effort, especially if the caregiver doesn’t have a solid contract.
Common Challenges Faced by Caregivers in Jordan
Behind the kind smiles and quiet patience of many caregivers in Jordan, there’s often a story that doesn’t get told which is a story of long hours, emotional strain, and difficult working conditions. While caregiving is a job rooted in compassion, it doesn’t always come with the respect, protection, or pay it deserves. Here are some of the real challenges caregivers in Jordan face:
1. Low Pay and Late Payments: One of the biggest complaints is that the pay is simply too low for the amount of work required. Some caregivers even wait weeks or months to be paid. And in the worst cases, they’re never paid in full, especially if their contracts aren’t legally binding or properly monitored.
2. Overwork and Long Hours: Caregiving in Jordan often isn’t limited to “just” care duties. Many caregivers find themselves cooking, cleaning, babysitting, doing laundry, and sometimes working from early morning until midnight with barely any breaks. Days off are often rare, or not respected.
3. Lack of Legal Awareness or Protection: Even though Jordan has labor laws, not all employers follow them and many caregivers don’t know their rights. This makes it easier for bad employers to take advantage of them, especially foreign caregivers who may feel they have no choice but to endure mistreatment.
4. Emotional and Physical Burnout: Taking care of others day after day is emotionally draining. Many caregivers work without proper rest, without anyone to talk to, and with the weight of their own personal worries like supporting families back home. The constant giving, without enough care for themselves, can lead to serious burnout.
5. Language Barriers: For foreign caregivers, especially those new to Jordan, not understanding Arabic can make everything harder from following instructions to asking for help or defending their rights. This often leads to misunderstandings, isolation, and even being looked down on.
6. Cultural Differences and Discrimination: Cultural misunderstandings are common. Some caregivers are treated as “less than” simply because they come from a different country. Sadly, discrimination whether subtle or outright is something many caregivers quietly endure.
7. Restricted Freedom: Especially in live-in roles, some caregivers face restrictions on their movement. They may not be allowed to go out alone, make phone calls freely, or even take proper rest without permission. This creates an environment that feels more like confinement than employment.
These are real issues that many caregivers face behind closed doors and while not every experience is negative, it’s important to shine light on these challenges so that more protections and awareness can be brought to the caregiving space in Jordan.
Legal Protections for Caregivers in Jordan
Truth be told, when it comes to legal rights, caregivers in Jordan don’t always get a fair deal. The country does have labor laws in place, but domestic work often lives in a shadowy space where rules exist but aren’t always enforced. Here’s what the legal landscape really looks like for caregivers working in Jordan:
Labor Laws and Domestic Workers
Jordan’s labor law technically excludes domestic workers, including caregivers, from many of the rights given to other types of workers. However, there’s a special regulation (Regulation No. 90 of 2009) that tries to bridge the gap. This law sets some basic standards but enforcement remains a serious issue.
Key Rights on Paper
According to the regulation, domestic workers including caregivers are entitled to:
1. A written employment contract in Arabic and the worker’s native language
2. One day off per week
3. 8-hour workday with overtime paid if exceeded
4. Medical care paid by the employer
5. Decent living conditions (for live-in workers)
6. Freedom to keep their passport
This sounds fair and good but the reality is far more complicated.
What Happens in Practice
In many cases, these rights stay on paper and don’t show up in real life. Some caregivers are denied their weekly day off. Others work long hours without any overtime pay or are never even shown a contract. And unfortunately, passport confiscation despite being illegal is still very common, especially among migrant caregivers.
Recruitment and Sponsorship System
Foreign caregivers usually enter Jordan under the kafala system (sponsorship system), where their residency is tied to their employer. This creates a power imbalance if they leave the job, they risk losing their legal status. This setup often traps caregivers in unfair or abusive working conditions with no easy way out.
Reporting Abuse or Exploitation
There are organizations and helplines, like Jordan’s Ministry of Labor and some local NGOs, where caregivers can report abuse. But many are too scared, too uninformed, or too isolated to take that step. The fear of retaliation or deportation is real.
Positive Steps Being Taken
To be fair, Jordan has been under pressure both internationally and locally to improve conditions for domestic workers. There have been discussions on reforming the kafala system, and a few high-profile court cases have brought attention to caregiver abuse. But meaningful change is still slow.
In short, while there are legal protections in place, caregivers especially migrant women still walk a fine line between being protected and being exploited. The gap between the law and reality remains wide, and until enforcement catches up, many caregivers will continue working in a system that doesn’t always have their back.
Benefits for Caregivers in Jordan
1. Free Accommodation and Meals For Live-in Caregivers: This is probably the most common “benefit.” Live-in caregivers typically get a room in the employer’s home and are provided with meals. While this cuts down personal expenses, the quality and comfort of the accommodation can vary greatly from a private room to sharing space in a laundry room or kitchen.
2. Basic Medical Care: According to regulations, employers are supposed to cover the caregiver’s medical needs, especially for live-in workers. Some families honor this and will pay for hospital visits, medications, or doctor appointments when needed. But again, this depends on how responsible the employer is. In many cases, caregivers delay treatment because they’re afraid of the cost or don’t know their rights.
3. One Day Off per Week In Theory Not In Practice: By law, caregivers are entitled to at least one rest day every week. However, this “benefit” is often denied in practice. Some caregivers report working every day without a proper break, while others are given a rest day but aren’t allowed to leave the house.
4. Return Ticket After Contract Completion: For caregivers who are on fixed-term contracts (usually 2 years), some employers provide a return ticket to the caregiver’s home country at the end of the contract. But this isn’t always guaranteed, especially if there’s no proper contract or if the employer refuses.
5. End-of-Service Payment or Bonuses Which Is Rare, But Possible: A small number of caregivers report receiving a one-time payment or bonus at the end of their service either as a token of appreciation or as part of a contract agreement. Unfortunately, this is not the norm and usually depends on the goodwill of the employer.
6. Gifts and Non-Monetary Perks: In some cases, caregivers are treated as part of the family and may receive clothes, phone credit, or even small gifts during holidays or birthdays. While not formal benefits, these gestures can make a big difference emotionally and financially.
7. Skill Development (Very Rare): Some caregivers pick up useful skills while working in Jordan like learning Arabic, improving their English, or gaining experience in special care (e.g., Alzheimer’s, children with disabilities). But formal training or upskilling opportunities are almost unheard of unless they seek it themselves.
In Jordan, caregiver benefits are largely dependent on the employer. While the law lays out certain minimum standards, the enforcement is weak, and the reality on the ground varies widely. For some caregivers, the job comes with basic stability. For others, the benefits are minimal just shelter and survival.
Conclusion
Being a caregiver in Jordan is not just a job, it’s a role that requires heart, patience, and resilience. These are the people who care for the vulnerable, often far from their own families, working long hours with little recognition. And while the monthly paycheck may not always reflect the value of their work, it’s the lifeline that supports loved ones back home and keeps many households in Jordan running smoothly.
The truth is, the average salary of a caregiver in Jordan tells only part of the story. Behind every figure is a person, someone facing challenges, making sacrifices, and showing up every day for someone else’s comfort. As the world becomes more aware of the silent contributions of caregivers, it’s time for policies, pay structures, and protections in countries like Jordan to catch up because at the end of the day, care work isn’t just labor rather it’s love in action. And love deserves better than the bare minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Average Salary of a Caregiver in Jordan
1. How much does a caregiver typically earn per month in Jordan?
Most caregivers in Jordan earn between 150 to 350 Jordanian Dinar (JOD) per month, which is roughly $210 to $500 USD. The exact amount depends on factors like experience, nationality, whether the caregiver lives in or out, and the employer’s location and financial status.
2. Are caregivers in Jordan paid hourly or monthly?
Caregivers in Jordan are usually paid monthly, not hourly. There’s rarely overtime pay even if the caregiver works more than 8 hours a day, which is quite common in live-in positions.
3. Do live-in caregivers get paid less than live-out caregivers?
Yes, in most cases. Live-in caregivers often receive lower cash salaries because the employer provides food, accommodation, and basic necessities. Live-out caregivers may earn slightly more since they cover their own living costs.
4. Are caregivers entitled to any benefits?
On paper, yes. Jordanian labor rules for domestic workers state that caregivers should receive a weekly day off, healthcare, decent housing (for live-ins), and a written contract. In reality, how many of these benefits are respected depends heavily on the employer.
5. Is there a minimum wage for caregivers in Jordan?
Jordan has a general minimum wage, but domestic workers including caregivers are often paid below that rate, especially if they’re foreign. While laws exist to prevent this, enforcement is weak.
6. Do caregivers have any legal protections in Jordan?
There are some protections, such as the right to a contract, healthcare, and rest days. However, many caregivers especially migrants don’t always receive these protections in practice, and some may not even know their rights.
7. Are foreign caregivers treated fairly in Jordan?
It depends. Some employers treat their caregivers with kindness and fairness, while others take advantage of their vulnerable position, especially if the caregiver is working under the sponsorship system (kafala), which gives the employer a lot of control.
8. What kind of work does a caregiver in Jordan usually do?
Caregiving in Jordan often includes a mix of responsibilities such as looking after elderly individuals, children, or people with disabilities plus cooking, cleaning, and running errands. Many caregivers end up doing far more than what they were originally hired for.
9. Can a caregiver negotiate their salary in Jordan?
Yes, but it’s not easy especially for foreign caregivers under strict visa sponsorships. Negotiation is more possible for live-out caregivers or those with specialized training or language skills.
10. Is it safe to work as a caregiver in Jordan?
Safety depends a lot on the employer and the caregiver’s legal status. While many work in safe, respectful environments, others face exploitation, overwork, and isolation. Having a contract, knowing your rights, and having access to support systems are key to staying safe.
Related Post
-
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In Belgium
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In South Sudan
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In Bolivia
- Average Salary of A Caregiver Living In Benin Republic
- Average Salary of A Caregiver Living In Rwanda
- Average Salary of A Caregiver Living In Netherland
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Senegal
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Somalia
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In Romania
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In Zambia
