I don’t think $30/hr is the new reality. We pay $26/hr legal(taxes etc) for one baby in Chevy Chase. I’m sure there are families that pay more, but I don’t get the sense it is the norm.

I feel like my friends who have recently hired are looking at $27-$28 for one child and $30-$33 for two children.

We pay $30 hour for two kids, so my expectations of my nanny are high at that rate. Unfortunately I have to give very specific directions to her to get everything done I want (down to what time they need to leave the house to get to a certain activity on time, and reminder to use spot remover on clothing). Still, when I was looking last year I wasn't finding anyone decent under $28/hour.