The $15 per hour nanny

[Anonymous]

Your $15/hr bargain nanny is a myth,
just as much as you think anyone "can have it all".

You get what you pay for
And
No one has it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some may think there's an ethical issue that "comes into play" if you hire a fulltime worker, but you pay them little enough to quality for taxpayer (government) assistance.

So in other words, the rest of the people are forced to subsidize your bargain nanny benefit.

What a sweet deal some of you MBs got yourselves.
At my expense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So $15/hr is somewhere between $31-43k a year, if it's 40-50 hrs/wk with overtime paid for anything over 40 hours.

Taxes: 15-20% depending on if you're in VA, MD, or DC
That leaves 26k - 34k after tax. So, let's go with a monthly budget of $2167 - 2833. I had a lot less to live on when in NYC, but generally speaking for a single adult:

-Rent: either rent a room in the district or have your own small apartment in the burbs near your employer for $800-900.
-Food: $300-400 (assuming food is a perk of the nanny job)
-Car(insurance, gas, loan): $250
-Cell: $50
-Health Insurance: $200 for individual plan via new health exchange at this income level
-Other: $400

I'm assuming the job doesn't offer many perks but we're planning to pay for our nanny's car insurance and gas since she'll be driving our kids around and we don't want her skimping on insurance. Given how cheaper the new individual plans are via the health exchange, we also plan to offer that as a benefit simply because it's easy, cheap, and the nanny doesn't have to pay taxes on it vs if she just gave her the cash as a bonus.

If we're talking about some one with a child or other dependents, I think a lot of other things come into play, like access to subsidized housing, subsidized preschool, school meals etc - at least in the area where I live, the income caps for those benefits are in the general range of what a nanny might make. So that's an entirely different exercise.

You make lots of assumptions in your post and your numbers are extremely low. Most nannies don't get food provided as a perk. We still have to buy groceries like everyone else. Also, MBs are quick to say they skirt the OT requirements by paying an average hourly rate, so we're actually talking $31-$39kper year. And the premise of an $800 apartment in DC is laughable. If you think that your proposed budget, as unrealistic as it is, is good enough for the person caring for your children everyday, then I see why there is such strife on here all the time. You all feel entitled to the moon and beyond in all things, but its cool if your nanny's budget is so tight that she can't afford to replace the shirt your kid ruined, or the doctor visit for the strep throat he gave her. She can't afford to do anything but sit at home during your 6 weeks of vacation throughout the year, that you claim is some kind of benefit to her, and begrudge her your vacation. Insane.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So $15/hr is somewhere between $31-43k a year, if it's 40-50 hrs/wk with overtime paid for anything over 40 hours.

Taxes: 15-20% depending on if you're in VA, MD, or DC
That leaves 26k - 34k after tax. So, let's go with a monthly budget of $2167 - 2833. I had a lot less to live on when in NYC, but generally speaking for a single adult:

-Rent: either rent a room in the district or have your own small apartment in the burbs near your employer for $800-900.
-Food: $300-400 (assuming food is a perk of the nanny job)
-Car(insurance, gas, loan): $250
-Cell: $50
-Health Insurance: $200 for individual plan via new health exchange at this income level
-Other: $400

I'm assuming the job doesn't offer many perks but we're planning to pay for our nanny's car insurance and gas since she'll be driving our kids around and we don't want her skimping on insurance. Given how cheaper the new individual plans are via the health exchange, we also plan to offer that as a benefit simply because it's easy, cheap, and the nanny doesn't have to pay taxes on it vs if she just gave her the cash as a bonus.

If we're talking about some one with a child or other dependents, I think a lot of other things come into play, like access to subsidized housing, subsidized preschool, school meals etc - at least in the area where I live, the income caps for those benefits are in the general range of what a nanny might make. So that's an entirely different exercise.

It's hilarious that you think someone can find an apartment for 800-900.

That's just how far removed from reality they are. Look at all the "we make half a million dollar per year and are just getting by" threads in the main forum. They don't really understand what its like to live on $15/hour, but they don't really give a shit. Let them eat cake, you know? That attitude has served the upperclass so very well in the past.

Agreed. Some of these people should be ashamed of their greed. All that matters is their portfolio. Their own kids don't count much for anything either. What did one mother say? Please bury me next to the mall, so my kid will visit my grave. Good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

Get a grip, nannies. Your budget is not your employer's business. If you think nannying is a low paying job, get into another line of work. The market rate for a nanny is $15/hr, give or take. It is an easy line of work, no license is required, and has very few minimally acceptable skills. Basically, anyone can be a nanny if they want to. Many nannies are willing to work under the table, and there are families willing to pay them illegally. These are the reasons nannying is a low paying job. It has nothing to do with greed on the MBs part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a grip, nannies. Your budget is not your employer's business. If you think nannying is a low paying job, get into another line of work. The market rate for a nanny is $15/hr, give or take. It is an easy line of work, no license is required, and has very few minimally acceptable skills. Basically, anyone can be a nanny if they want to. Many nannies are willing to work under the table, and there are families willing to pay them illegally. These are the reasons nannying is a low paying job. It has nothing to do with greed on the MBs part.

No you get a grip. You all will cry for the wal mart employees, or fast food workers, but don't give two shits about the welfare of the real person in your home every day, caring for your child. Yes anyone can try to be a nanny, but not everyone is a good one. If you are fortunate enough to have found a good one, you might want to consider if what you are asking her to live on is a livable wage. PP inadvertently illustrated that $15/hour in DC is not enough unless you are a college student living with 4 other people in a shit apartment, and your employer provides your lunch every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a grip, nannies. Your budget is not your employer's business. If you think nannying is a low paying job, get into another line of work. The market rate for a nanny is $15/hr, give or take. It is an easy line of work, no license is required, and has very few minimally acceptable skills. Basically, anyone can be a nanny if they want to. Many nannies are willing to work under the table, and there are families willing to pay them illegally. These are the reasons nannying is a low paying job. It has nothing to do with greed on the MBs part.

No you get a grip. You all will cry for the wal mart employees, or fast food workers, but don't give two shits about the welfare of the real person in your home every day, caring for your child. Yes anyone can try to be a nanny, but not everyone is a good one. If you are fortunate enough to have found a good one, you might want to consider if what you are asking her to live on is a livable wage. PP inadvertently illustrated that $15/hour in DC is not enough unless you are a college student living with 4 other people in a shit apartment, and your employer provides your lunch every day.

Exactly. Could not have said it better myself.
Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Get a grip, nannies. Your budget is not your employer's business. If you think nannying is a low paying job, get into another line of work. The market rate for a nanny is $15/hr, give or take. It is an easy line of work, no license is required, and has very few minimally acceptable skills. Basically, anyone can be a nanny if they want to. Many nannies are willing to work under the table, and there are families willing to pay them illegally. These are the reasons nannying is a low paying job. It has nothing to do with greed on the MBs part.


No you get a grip. You all will cry for the wal mart employees, or fast food workers, but don't give two shits about the welfare of the real person in your home every day, caring for your child. Yes anyone can try to be a nanny, but not everyone is a good one. If you are fortunate enough to have found a good one, you might want to consider if what you are asking her to live on is a livable wage. PP inadvertently illustrated that $15/hour in DC is not enough unless you are a college student living with 4 other people in a shit apartment, and your employer provides your lunch every day.

Oh, dial back your drama. You don't know me and your hysteria is foolish and makes you look foolish.

There are issues in your profession that drive down wages. I let you know what some of those issues are. You would rather blame parents and whine about wages rather than changing the issues so you can command a higher salary. If that is how you want to go, fine. But quit your whining. If you really want to raise nanny wages, start by advocating for professional license requirements to distinguish professional nannies. Then, drive the nannies who agree to be paid illegally out of the market, and the families who employ them as well. If you did just these two things, nanny wages will rise.

Your persistence in trying to paint all MBs as selfish, horrible, entitled mommies gets you nothing and makes you look like the whiner you apparently are. Breaking down budgets makes you look pathetic and as if you see your employer as a parent, not an employer. How you fail to see this is kind of mind boggling.

Be a force of positive change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Get a grip, nannies. Your budget is not your employer's business. If you think nannying is a low paying job, get into another line of work. The market rate for a nanny is $15/hr, give or take. It is an easy line of work, no license is required, and has very few minimally acceptable skills. Basically, anyone can be a nanny if they want to. Many nannies are willing to work under the table, and there are families willing to pay them illegally. These are the reasons nannying is a low paying job. It has nothing to do with greed on the MBs part.


No you get a grip. You all will cry for the wal mart employees, or fast food workers, but don't give two shits about the welfare of the real person in your home every day, caring for your child. Yes anyone can try to be a nanny, but not everyone is a good one. If you are fortunate enough to have found a good one, you might want to consider if what you are asking her to live on is a livable wage. PP inadvertently illustrated that $15/hour in DC is not enough unless you are a college student living with 4 other people in a shit apartment, and your employer provides your lunch every day.

Oh, dial back your drama. You don't know me and your hysteria is foolish and makes you look foolish.

There are issues in your profession that drive down wages. I let you know what some of those issues are. You would rather blame parents and whine about wages rather than changing the issues so you can command a higher salary. If that is how you want to go, fine. But quit your whining. If you really want to raise nanny wages, start by advocating for professional license requirements to distinguish professional nannies. Then, drive the nannies who agree to be paid illegally out of the market, and the families who employ them as well. If you did just these two things, nanny wages will rise.

Your persistence in trying to paint all MBs as selfish, horrible, entitled mommies gets you nothing and makes you look like the whiner you apparently are. Breaking down budgets makes you look pathetic and as if you see your employer as a parent, not an employer. How you fail to see this is kind of mind boggling.

Be a force of positive change.

Like yourself?

[Anonymous]

Yes, like me. I took the time to try to help you, even though you don't at all acknowledge the issues inherent in your profession. You just want to whine and be jealous of your MB, which is incredibly unproductive.

Also, because I'm sure you are making more assumptions about me, we have had the same nanny for six years. We pay above market and offer all the benefits mentioned here and a few that aren't. Why? Because I think nannies are incredible, underpaid, and the nanny we are lucky enough to have is one of the important people in my daughter's life. How can I not do everything I can to keep this amazing person in our lives?

Most MBs feel the same.

Here's what you don't get. We are on the same side. Nannies should be paid more and be afforded benefits as other professional jobs. Sadly, there are issues that stand in the way of that. Addressing those issues would be a step in the right direction.

But, hey, if you'd prefer to whine and bitch, have at it. It won't get you much, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What nannies don't realize is that some starting salary lawyers don't even make 45,000 a year. I made less than that at my first law job. And law students usually have loans. You find ways to get by. I think some nannies on this forum think they should make more, but they don't realize that the employer can't always afford to pay more.

X1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What nannies don't realize is that some starting salary lawyers don't even make 45,000 a year. I made less than that at my first law job. And law students usually have loans. You find ways to get by. I think some nannies on this forum think they should make more, but they don't realize that the employer can't always afford to pay more.

X1000

Is your average young lawyer still earning only 45K? Somehow I doubt it, at least in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What nannies don't realize is that some starting salary lawyers don't even make 45,000 a year. I made less than that at my first law job. And law students usually have loans. You find ways to get by. I think some nannies on this forum think they should make more, but they don't realize that the employer can't always afford to pay more.

X1000

Is your average young lawyer still earning only 45K? Somehow I doubt it, at least in this area.

If you can't afford to pay a DC area living wage, you can't afford a nanny here. You can more closer to someone who wants to help you out. You decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What nannies don't realize is that some starting salary lawyers don't even make 45,000 a year. I made less than that at my first law job. And law students usually have loans. You find ways to get by. I think some nannies on this forum think they should make more, but they don't realize that the employer can't always afford to pay more.

X1000

Is your average young lawyer still earning only 45K? Somehow I doubt it, at least in this area.

If you can't afford to pay a DC area living wage, you can't afford a nanny here. You can more closer to someone who wants to help you out. You decide.

move closer

[Anonymous]

Costco pays its average worker $20.84 an hour.
Imagine what their above average worker earns.