Nannies at 40k gross/year

[Anonymous]

I was pretty surprised that nannies in the DC area quite frequently garner a gross salary of >$40k/year. Not to say child care isn't an important task, but it surprises me given the number of professions in the DC-area where people with graduate degrees earn less in entry to mid level positions (non-profits, NGOs etc.). Is this a market distortion by high HHI families overpaying or an accurate reflection of the metro area labor market....it's particularly odd given how that real wages are generally dropping for most service jobs not requiring a minimum of a college degree.

[Anonymous]

While there are nannies that make that much, I don't think it's very common (especially outside of DC -- it's generally in the city itself, or very, very close-in where the higher salaries are commanded). I think the nannies that are making that much are making top of the market and likely have skills and experience to merit those wages. So when you say that those nannies are making more than some with graduate degrees, you're comparing (for the most part) a group of new, inexperienced graduates versus a group of experienced professionals. Also, recent graduates with liberal arts degrees are plentiful; nannies with 10+ years of experience, are legal, have safe driving records, work in DC, etc. etc. etc., are not.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here that makes just over $40k gross. I work in a share, and that's a big reason why I make that much.

[Anonymous]

Lots of nannies work at least a 9-hour day (9-6, 8-5, or a similar schedule)--9 hours a day at 50 weeks a year at $18/hour would put a person over 40K gross--that doesn't seem out of line to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While there are nannies that make that much, I don't think it's very common (especially outside of DC -- it's generally in the city itself, or very, very close-in where the higher salaries are commanded). I think the nannies that are making that much are making top of the market and likely have skills and experience to merit those wages. So when you say that those nannies are making more than some with graduate degrees, you're comparing (for the most part) a group of new, inexperienced graduates versus a group of experienced professionals. Also, recent graduates with liberal arts degrees are plentiful; nannies with 10+ years of experience, are legal, have safe driving records, work in DC, etc. etc. etc., are not.

st

This. Capitalism at its best.

[Anonymous]

I've met some of these 40k+ nannies around Clarendon etc. (many are in shares). Many if not most are also certainly not Marry Poppins or educators in any real sense. I think a lot of families are taken for a ride, b/c they just copy what the joneses are doing. I'm sure many would have a tough time matching this wage outside this rarefied bobo circle in DC and close-in VA/MD.

[Anonymous]

Supply and demand. You really think that people are paying that much just because they like to keep up with the Joneses? Ridiculous. Tell me where there are these great and inexpensive nannies, please. I'm sure if they were bountiful all these families would prefer to put that extra cash into college or retirement savings. And frankly, $40K is barely a living wage around here.

[Anonymous]

OP, it is not that common. I interviewed one last year who said that she expected to make that much, and I told her that we just would not be able to come close. She is still looking for a job.

[Anonymous]

I work as a nanny and gross a little over $40K a year. I have 10+ years of full time nanny experience. I work on the books. I'm in a close-in 'burb. I'm college educated, though it's just an Associates degree. I drive and take on a lot of house manager duties. I have more than 5 years of experience and associated training with special needs children, ranging from mild autism to profound disabilities. There are a lot of nannies that can't or won't do what I do. Employers have told me that I am worth what they pay me. Also, if someone is paying me $20/hr so they can go make $200/hr, it is a solid financial decision. I'm good at what I do and there are people out there willing to pay what I ask. That is a free market at work. I have an IQ of 140 and wouldn't have any trouble going back to school and learning a new career. But, I love being a nanny. The love for the job is something I do not always see in other nannies.

I get paid a pretty decent wage for all of my experience. Though, for perspective, I was in the salary range to qualify for section 8 housing just a year or so ago. I may still be in the range, I just haven't checked into it recently. I don't drive a new car or take lavish vacations. I don't even think I could afford an apartment on my own at $40K. A 2 br place outside the beltway is almost $1500/mo. I have to pay for childcare and save for her college just like everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work as a nanny and gross a little over $40K a year. I have 10+ years of full time nanny experience. I work on the books. I'm in a close-in 'burb. I'm college educated, though it's just an Associates degree. I drive and take on a lot of house manager duties. I have more than 5 years of experience and associated training with special needs children, ranging from mild autism to profound disabilities. There are a lot of nannies that can't or won't do what I do. Employers have told me that I am worth what they pay me. Also, if someone is paying me $20/hr so they can go make $200/hr, it is a solid financial decision. I'm good at what I do and there are people out there willing to pay what I ask. That is a free market at work. I have an IQ of 140 and wouldn't have any trouble going back to school and learning a new career. But, I love being a nanny. The love for the job is something I do not always see in other nannies.

I get paid a pretty decent wage for all of my experience. Though, for perspective, I was in the salary range to qualify for section 8 housing just a year or so ago. I may still be in the range, I just haven't checked into it recently. I don't drive a new car or take lavish vacations. I don't even think I could afford an apartment on my own at $40K. A 2 br place outside the beltway is almost $1500/mo. I have to pay for childcare and save for her college just like everyone else.

Thank you!!!!

[Anonymous]

Just out of curiousity, what do you do for a living, OP and what's your annual salary or wage?

[Anonymous]

Just out of curiousity, what do you do for a living, OP and what's your annual salary or wage?

Not the OP, but how's that relevant at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've met some of these 40k+ nannies around Clarendon etc. (many are in shares). Many if not most are also certainly not Marry Poppins or educators in any real sense. I think a lot of families are taken for a ride, b/c they just copy what the joneses are doing. I'm sure many would have a tough time matching this wage outside this rarefied bobo circle in DC and close-in VA/MD.

Lots of parents don't know what to pay their nannies. Some I suppose over-rate being a native English speaker, being college educated, having a car, or some other desirable characteristic.

Also you have nanny shares, in which you might have one infant and two pre-schoolers, each parent pays $275 a week, bam, you're over $40k a year gross.

And yes, a nanny such as 23:12 describes should be pulling down $40k plus if she is working on the books.

[Anonymous]

I make just shy of 50k/year and honestly I would not nanny if I made any less than that - there are other jobs I have had and could likely jump back into with a very similar salary. If a family wants to hire me badly enough, then yes, they'll pay that amount. I don't see how that is "taking them for a ride" or anything of the sort. If I set a price and families are regularly willing to pay it, then that is the market for you.

[Anonymous]

MB here, we're paying about that, and while not ideal from our perspective, we are willing to overpay a little to ensure that our nanny is willing to be flexible regarding issues that pop up (occasional late nights, etc.) because she knows she's got about the best deal she's ever going to find. Why skimp on the person who is watching your kids, if you can afford it? to me, it's not worth a couple of thousand bucks a year to try to find a new person, deal with all that disruption, make sure they are ok with the kids, etc.

Truthfully if you *could* find Mary Poppins, I'd go to 50k or even 60k, but alas she does not seem to be looking for work. Warm, nurturing, unemployed grad students take note -- there *is* a market at the very high end you could try to capture.