Parents and caregivers have several options to consider when choosing childcare for their children, including daycare, babysitters, and nannies. Many people prefer nannies because of the convenience, one-on-one attention, and advanced level of expertise. However, you might have questions about how much nannies cost and what a reasonable nanny hourly rate might be.
Here’s a guide to how much nannies cost, including what to factor into the pay rate and additional costs associated with paying a nanny.
How Much Is a Nanny?
According to recent surveys and statistics, the average pay of a nanny in the U.S. is approximately $18 to $22 per hour. However, the standard hourly rate of a nanny can also vary by location, with cities like San Francisco, Seattle, New York, San Diego, and Washington, DC topping the pay scale. Nannies typically cost more than a daycare center, home daycare arrangement, or babysitter because of the job requirements and amount of work required.
Pay Rate Factors
When deciding how much to pay a nanny, many factors should be considered, starting with your geographic area. If you live somewhere with a higher cost of living, nannies will expect to be paid accordingly. Other factors include how long your nanny must commute to work, the employment competition for nannies in your area, and the specific duties you ask your nanny to do. Tasks that may warrant additional pay include academic tutoring, extensive cooking and cleaning, and chauffeuring kids in a personal vehicle.
You may also adjust your nanny hourly rate based on the employee’s experience level, education level, certifications obtained, specialties offered, and how many children will be cared for in the household. The number of hours and frequency of work are factors for a nanny’s pay.
Other Nanny-Related Costs
There are also additional costs associated with hiring a nanny that you should think about when assessing your childcare budget. For example, you may want to conduct a background check on your nanny prior to employment or on an annual basis. To find the very best nanny candidate, you might enlist the help of domestic staffing agency, such as Pavillion Agency.
As a nanny’s employer, you are responsible for paying nanny taxes, and you may want to use an accountant or payroll service to handle financial matters. Some families pay for their nannies to keep up-to-date on their CPR and first-aid certifications. Also, keep in mind the potential costs for your nanny’s future overtime hours, tips, holiday bonuses, and pay raises.
Can You Afford a Nanny?
With all this in mind, you might wonder if you can afford a nanny and how nanny care would fit into your monthly budget. At Pavillion Agency, we can help you find a nanny to fit within your lifestyle and budget, including part-time nannies, full-time nannies, and live-in nannies. On our website, you can browse nanny candidates and submit an inquiry about specific listings to learn more about candidates’ expertise and pay rates.
If you have more questions about nanny costs and how to find the right nanny for your family, please contact us online or at 212-889-6609.