Just spoke to a potential candidate. She wanted $25-30 per hour, health insurance, and six weeks of paid time off. She said this was standard.
Is it? This would be for one four month old. We live downtown. |
Nope, not around here - though I am sure that there is someone, somewhere in the DC area paying this. Generally speaking, you can expect pay for an experienced nanny caring for one infant between $15-$20. Perhaps if the nanny has crazy amazing credentials, it could go higher. If you are offering less than 40 hours a week, you will have to pay more per hour than if you were to offer say 50 hours a week. There is no standard package but employers in this area often give guaranteed hours, two weeks PTO, a few sick days, most federal holidays, and in some cases, contribute to an employee's health insurance. People differ on their philosophy, but I always give a range that I am willing to pay in my ads so that I avoid those who are looking to make far more than I want to offer. |
Very helpful, thanks! Out of curiosity, where do you place your ads? I put one on Care. Not sure if I should be casting a wider net. |
No that is not standard. I truly hope this is a genuine post and not someone trying to start trouble. |
I swear, I am legit. This is a first baby so my first time doing this. I was taken aback. |
Glad to help, OP. I've posted to DC Urban moms (where I found our current nanny), care.com (our first nanny) and also to two neighborhood yahoo groups (Dupont Circle Parents Group and Kalorama playgroup; if you are on the hill, post to MOTH; I think there is a logan circle yahoo group as well). As you can probably expect, you'll get all sorts of candidates, and you'll end up eliminating many of them right off the bat. Of those who may be of interest, speak with them on the phone first to confirm that they meet your basic qualifications (as many candidates will reply without having closely read the details and then when you interview them in person, you'll find it is a waste of time). Good luck! |
Look, every single parent I've ever meet, has different standards and hopes for their child. Of course, opt for the bargain option, if she's up to your standards. Just don't make your child a victim of the revolving nanny door, because of your priorities. |
You've posted on the wrong thread. An honest mistake, but let me correct you with this -- a mother who doesn't want to pay $30/hr and offer 6 weeks paid vacation to her nanny is not looking for a "bargain," she's looking for something reasonable. OP, the first PP was correct. "Pay for an experienced nanny caring for one infant between $15-$20. Perhaps if the nanny has crazy amazing credentials, it could go higher. If you are offering less than 40 hours a week, you will have to pay more per hour than if you were to offer say 50 hours a week. There is no standard package but employers in this area often give guaranteed hours, two weeks PTO, a few sick days, most federal holidays, and in some cases, contribute to an employee's health insurance." I'd skew on the $17-20 end if you want to pay legally, and clarify that you are able to offer a lower hourly rate for 50hr weeks because of the built-in overtime pay, but seriously, that first nanny you mentioned is off her rocker. |
What's "reasonable" to one parent, is not "reasonable" to another parent. Each parent must determine "what's a good nanny worth?", for herself.
Parents who want me, pay more than 30/hr, unless I'm doing charity work for someone who really can't afford my services, but I want to help them anyways. |
Hehehe. I don't believe you. A nanny who earns $30/hr 1) doesn't write like you, 2) isn't rude to new nanny employers, 3) doesn't call working for less than that "charity work." But nice try! Keep working on your writing style and maybe soon you'll have people fooled. |
OP, there's a huge range. IMO the info you get here is skewed as most nannies here are american, fairly well educated, sophisticated technology users. That isn't the typical nanny profile - so the actual range of what an hourly rate is varies HUGELY based on all kinds of factors - many already pointed out, as well as ethnicity, experience, age, background, driving status, citizenship status, ability to advocate effectively for oneself professionally, fluency, number of hours you're guaranteeing, your expectations for the position, etc...
Try posting on neighborhood listservs - yours and those of anyone you know (ask them to post it for you). I've had my best luck w/ word of mouth referrals. My nanny wouldn't have any idea how to be active on DCUM and she's never found a position through an agency - all family to family referrals. She came to us from a neighbor. Good luck! |
Nanny here. I trust only former employers to recommend potential new families. They know my worth, and my rates, first hand. They will not waste my time with families who can't/won't pay my high rates. |
Are you the nanny in LA? If so, what are your credentials? That is not normal pay. |
So, you admit they are high? |
Yes, the best nannies have the highest rates, just like every other profession. |