Hirelings can be hired for 500 gold each. There are about 45 different followers total in the game.Important Note: If a follower receives a large enough attack, they will die, permanently. To heal them back up, use a healing spell or let them heal on their own (only works out of combat). If their health reaches zero, they will collapse.If you don't want to wait, just use the Wait command and they should appear right after. If you lose your follower (because you fast traveled somewhere or ran too far ahead) don't worry about it, they will eventually appear again and continue fighting by your side.Your followers also have their own skills which improve as they level.(Thanks to an anonymous site visitor comment for the above fix.) All Housecarls level to 50, assuming you were level 50 when you met them. The only follower who goes to level 81 is J'Zargo. The level cap is different depending on the character. Also, all the followers have follower caps that keep them from leveling past a certain level. Followers match the level that you are when you meet them, but they don't level with you.Just remember to take the torches away from them or have them wait somewhere when you are trying to sneak, as the light will make sneaking a lot less effective. Give your follower a torch and they will use it when it's dark.

So warrior followers get heavy armor, 2 handed swords, mages get staves, archers get bows, and so on.

They will equip the best items from what you give them, but make sure it suits their class.

Always give your followers some good equipment (For their class).

However, some quests allow additional followers to join you temporarily.

You can have one human and one animal follower at all times.

Here is the list of followers you can find in Skyrim. Once you complete that task, they will join you for good. Most followers have a task you must accomplish before they join you. They fight with you, carry your things, and stay loyal to you no matter what. In Skyrim, followers (or companions) are more usable than ever before.

List of companions skyrim