I underestimated my inital pay rate - now what?

[Anonymous]

Being new to the area, I quoted $18 an hour during my initial interview as the care.com ad stated the pay rate for this job was between 15 and 20. I got the job and have been working for nine months. I like the parents a great deal, love the baby and am happy with my job. However, I have since learned that the average nanny salary, with my experience and education, is between 20 and 25 in my area. I'd like to ask for a raise on my year anniversary and want to get $20 an hour. That's an 11% increase. Is that unheard of?

My employers are educated and know the "score" of nanny salaries. I'd rather not have to start looking for another job but I suppose I will if I have to. WWYD, Nannies? And what would you think if your nanny asked for this much of an increase MB/DB's? My employers are not rich and rent their apartment in an expensive area but I don't know if that matters... I work 35 hours a week which is a $70.00 a week/$280 a month increase for them.

[Anonymous]

You can ask. Standard raise is $1 so if you're asking for $2, do you have any examples or anything as to why you should get even more of a raise instead of just, I feel like I deserve this based on my experience/I underestimated myself? Let's say you've gone above and beyond what other nannies do or your charge has developed many new skills because of you, you can use those examples to show why you think you deserve the 11% increase.

However, you also need to decide if it is a deal breaker for you. If the bump you to $19 will you stay? Or will you start looking for a job that will pay you $20?

I'd see if you can get a letter of reference now for "babysitting gigs" because if you end up having to look, you want to have a reference from this job.

[Anonymous]

An 11% raise is a huge bump and unlikely. It never hurts to ask. Are you sure about the average rate in your area? $20-$25 is nowhere near the standard rate for one baby in DC. You must be in another city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can ask. Standard raise is $1 so if you're asking for $2, do you have any examples or anything as to why you should get even more of a raise instead of just, I feel like I deserve this based on my experience/I underestimated myself? Let's say you've gone above and beyond what other nannies do or your charge has developed many new skills because of you, you can use those examples to show why you think you deserve the 11% increase.

However, you also need to decide if it is a deal breaker for you. If the bump you to $19 will you stay? Or will you start looking for a job that will pay you $20?

I'd see if you can get a letter of reference now for "babysitting gigs" because if you end up having to look, you want to have a reference from this job.

OP here - first, thank you PP for your response. I hadn't thought about getting my employers recommendation now, before I ask for the raise, but that is a great suggestion. And you're right - I also have to think about whether a dollar an hour is a deal breaker for me.

My charge is a baby - just nine-months-old and his parents know how I work with him constantly (nanny cams) but I don't think I can quote his very early ability to sit and wave bye-bye (at five months!) as a "skill" I taught him! I still haven't finished my masters degree in Early Childhood Education so I can't use that... Basically, I'd ask for the 11% increase simply because I undersold myself initially.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with PP. Yes it is definitely a good idea to remind them of the reason you are worth the rate, and what you've done to deserve it, but asking for a raise based on what other similarly qualified people in your field are making is a completely legitimate argument and one frequently used in the reverse on here.

A nanny may be awesome, and think she's worth $30/hour, but her bosses aren't going to pay her that if other similarly qualified candidates are asking for $20/hour. Conversely, there is nothing wrong with a nanny bringing it to the attention of her employers, at an appropriate time for renegotiation like the one year mark, that she would like to be raised to a salary level truly commensurate with her experience and skill level. If you are truly being underpaid, this gives them an opportunity to come to the table with a competitive offer or risk losing you. If they refuse, you shouldn't have a problem finding a job at a competitive rate. You simply need to be honest with yourself as to whether the rate you desire is competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An 11% raise is a huge bump and unlikely. It never hurts to ask. Are you sure about the average rate in your area? $20-$25 is nowhere near the standard rate for one baby in DC. You must be in another city.

Thank you for your response.

Yes, I am in Los Angeles - and I'm sure that $20-$25 is the going rate for a nanny with my education and experience. I should have asked for $20 initially - that was my mistake.

And it does hurt to ask - both the parents and I are very sensitive about things like this. They always seem embarrassed when they hand me my pay check! And I'm a total wimp. I'm afraid it will taint our relationship if they deny the 11% increase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with PP. Yes it is definitely a good idea to remind them of the reason you are worth the rate, and what you've done to deserve it, but asking for a raise based on what other similarly qualified people in your field are making is a completely legitimate argument and one frequently used in the reverse on here.

A nanny may be awesome, and think she's worth $30/hour, but her bosses aren't going to pay her that if other similarly qualified candidates are asking for $20/hour. Conversely, there is nothing wrong with a nanny bringing it to the attention of her employers, at an appropriate time for renegotiation like the one year mark, that she would like to be raised to a salary level truly commensurate with her experience and skill level. If you are truly being underpaid, this gives them an opportunity to come to the table with a competitive offer or risk losing you. If they refuse, you shouldn't have a problem finding a job at a competitive rate. You simply need to be honest with yourself as to whether the rate you desire is competitive.

Thank you for your response. Yes, I'm sure the rate I'm requesting is competitive and think that initially they would have paid me $20 an hour if I'd stated that as my hourly rate. It was my mistake to under-sell myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An 11% raise is a huge bump and unlikely. It never hurts to ask. Are you sure about the average rate in your area? $20-$25 is nowhere near the standard rate for one baby in DC. You must be in another city.

Thank you for your response.

Yes, I am in Los Angeles - and I'm sure that $20-$25 is the going rate for a nanny with my education and experience. I should have asked for $20 initially - that was my mistake.

And it does hurt to ask - both the parents and I are very sensitive about things like this. They always seem embarrassed when they hand me my pay check! And I'm a total wimp. I'm afraid it will taint our relationship if they deny the 11% increase.

I guess it depends on how much you want this job vs the pay. Personally, as an MB, I don't think there is anything wrong with at least asking for the $2/hr increase and seeing what happens. If it was me I'd probably give you the increase but I'm not your employers and it's a little odd that they seem embarrassed when they pay you. What if they say no? Are you prepared to look for another job if you want the $20/hr? Are you ok with it being a little weird with them until the awkwardness wears off?

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm looking to move west coast and was wondering the rates in cities like LA. Whats the rate for 10years of full time nanny experience with a BA and pursuing a MA?

[Anonymous]

I have a similar deal. But I was "tricked" from the agency about my rate; and I felt so timid and defeated that I haven't said anything to my employer...it's coming up on two years now.

I was told I would get $25-30 per hour. But I am getting around $11.75 an hour. I love my bosses and my charge- but I definitely too shy and embarrassed to bring it up.

[Anonymous]

Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm looking to move west coast and was wondering the rates in cities like LA. Whats the rate for 10years of full time nanny experience with a BA and pursuing a MA?

OP here: We have the same credentials - I'll have my masters in Early Childhood Education when I finish my internship hours. I was told by various agencies that I should ask for between 20 and 25 an hour but the listings on care.com had most of the jobs at between 15 and 20 an hour. Also the area matters - I'm on the west side of Los Angeles (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Westwood, Brentwood, West Hollywood) and this is the pay scale for my area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An 11% raise is a huge bump and unlikely. It never hurts to ask. Are you sure about the average rate in your area? $20-$25 is nowhere near the standard rate for one baby in DC. You must be in another city.

Thank you for your response.

Yes, I am in Los Angeles - and I'm sure that $20-$25 is the going rate for a nanny with my education and experience. I should have asked for $20 initially - that was my mistake.

And it does hurt to ask - both the parents and I are very sensitive about things like this. They always seem embarrassed when they hand me my pay check! And I'm a total wimp. I'm afraid it will taint our relationship if they deny the 11% increase.

I guess it depends on how much you want this job vs the pay. Personally, as an MB, I don't think there is anything wrong with at least asking for the $2/hr increase and seeing what happens. If it was me I'd probably give you the increase but I'm not your employers and it's a little odd that they seem embarrassed when they pay you. What if they say no? Are you prepared to look for another job if you want the $20/hr? Are you ok with it being a little weird with them until the awkwardness wears off?

Thank you for your response, MB. I'll have to be prepared for the awkwardness (yikes!) whether they give me the raise or not, I suppose. I just got home from a ten hour day and even after ten hours I'm still smiling about something the baby did today - it will be hard to leave. Thanks again for your response - I can only hope my employers feel the way that you do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a similar deal. But I was "tricked" from the agency about my rate; and I felt so timid and defeated that I haven't said anything to my employer...it's coming up on two years now.

I was told I would get $25-30 per hour. But I am getting around $11.75 an hour. I love my bosses and my charge- but I definitely too shy and embarrassed to bring it up.

I don't know where you live, Nanny, but $11.75 is really low! I'm sorry you are in this position but I think you must force yourself to ask for a raise - or find an more appropriate position for your experience and training.

[Anonymous]

LA nanny here- Even illegals here make up to $20/hr. I'm paid $30/hr gross for two kids. Are you paid legally? There's a big difference between $18 cash and after taxes. If you're paid $18 and pay taxes on top of that you are way underpaid for this area!!