Need input on DC rates. Where does this fall?

[Anonymous]

Live-in job. Split schedule (paid for morning routine and afternoon routine, have school hours off). 30 hrs per week; 25 with kids and 5 doing errands and cooking. Kids laundry, weekly grocery shopping, family dinners 5 nights a week, kid-related housekeeping. Two kids, both preschool-aged. Drive using my car with reimbursment of $40 per week (more than I will spend on gas). Live-in with room, board, and two week vacation (one of their choosing, one of mine) and 5 days sick leave. Pay is $900 per month.

[Anonymous]

Are they nuts? Do the math.

[Anonymous]

I did the math. If I factor in $800 for room and board, it ends up being about $14 an hour. So not "crazy," but I take it you think that's the low end for DC? I am in PA right now, and assume the rates are very different (as is cost of living).

[Anonymous]

If it sounds good to you, take it. But you will likely soon move onto a better paying position if you are good at your work. In DC you'll have opportunities to network with others. What area of town is the job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they nuts? Do the math.

Why do you have to be so mean?

Just because this forum is anonymous...doesn't give you a free pass to be snooty at other posters.

She is just asking a question here. That is what this forum is for.

If you can't play nice, then leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they nuts? Do the math.

Why do you have to be so mean?

Just because this forum is anonymous...doesn't give you a free pass to be snooty at other posters.

She is just asking a question here. That is what this forum is for.

If you can't play nice, then leave.

What's the DC minimum wage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they nuts? Do the math.

Why do you have to be so mean?

Just because this forum is anonymous...doesn't give you a free pass to be snooty at other posters.

She is just asking a question here. That is what this forum is for.

If you can't play nice, then leave.

There's nothing nice about breaking the law. DC minimum wage is $8.25/hr. Oh yeah, live-ins don't qualify for the same employment protections that the rest of us do. Nice.

[Anonymous]

The problem is you can't factor in $800/month for room and board. I can't imagine anybody would be willing to pay $800/month to live with their boss. I would much rather (and do) live with a bunch of roommates for equal or lower rent and have the freedom that goes along with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is you can't factor in $800/month for room and board. I can't imagine anybody would be willing to pay $800/month to live with their boss. I would much rather (and do) live with a bunch of roommates for equal or lower rent and have the freedom that goes along with that.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

10:26 here.

I should add, that even $14/hr is pretty low for DC, given the duties you're requesting and the split schedule. I wouldn't take the job for less than $18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it sounds good to you, take it. But you will likely soon move onto a better paying position if you are good at your work. In DC you'll have opportunities to network with others. What area of town is the job?

Sorry, should have specified. It is just outside of DC in McLean, VA, so that probably drops the rate, I should think. I am factoring $800 because $600 for a room and utilities seems to be average-to-cheap on Craigslist, then I am adding in $200 for food.

[Anonymous]

Still not worth it. You can find cheap/on the lower end of average in DC proper and not have to live with your boss.

If you can find somebody willing to take it, that's great for you. But it's still not an attractive package for most people.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for a live in position, that's about average for here. It's a little low, but considering the children are school aged, not too bad.

[Anonymous]

While you can subtract room and board, its a different tax process which is a PITA. If you are subtracting room and board, it is not pre tax for the nanny so it needs to subtracted after you subtract her employee portion from gross and the amount you receive for the rent is taxable income for you.

If you don't subtract a specific amount, it simply is part of the overall package and you pay above minimum wage its much easier. I would suggest offering minimum wage 8.25 which would be 247.50 a week or $990 for a four week month. Live in positions in DC are around minimum wage - maybe $12 per hour tops.

The economics of a live in position are different than a live out position. In a live in position, the fewer hours, the pay is still low because the live in still receives the full benefit of the room and board just spread across fewer hours. Its also more attract to someone who is looking to finish a degree, needs to take classes, and need to avoid paying rent and other living expenses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While you can subtract room and board, its a different tax process which is a PITA. If you are subtracting room and board, it is not pre tax for the nanny so it needs to subtracted after you subtract her employee portion from gross and the amount you receive for the rent is taxable income for you.

If you don't subtract a specific amount, it simply is part of the overall package and you pay above minimum wage its much easier. I would suggest offering minimum wage 8.25 which would be 247.50 a week or $990 for a four week month. Live in positions in DC are around minimum wage - maybe $12 per hour tops.

The economics of a live in position are different than a live out position. In a live in position, the fewer hours, the pay is still low because the live in still receives the full benefit of the room and board just spread across fewer hours. Its also more attract to someone who is looking to finish a degree, needs to take classes, and need to avoid paying rent and other living expenses.

Your $12/hr is crazy and you know it. Kids waking you up every weekend is not a benefit for most hired help. Now, if they're offering a separate cottage on their McLean estate, that's different. McLean is the place where you can find that.