Gut check on our budget for nanny comp

[Anonymous]

Hi there, was wondering what sort of nanny we would be looking at for a budget of ~14.25/hour (blended... so ~$13/hour regular + 19.50 at OT)? Will offer 2 weeks paid time off, plus 3 sick days, and of course major holidays. 2 kids, one in preschool 5 days/week, one toddler not yet in preschool. Also have a car nanny can use for any transportation needs while with the kids.

Are we in line with market or not? Would like to gut check this before we start looking for candidates.

[Anonymous]

Where are you? $14.25 is low for DC area. Do a search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? $14.25 is low for DC area. Do a search.

+1. If you are far out, or in the "poorer" areas of town, or paying under the table, or hiring someone illegal, you may be ok. Otherwise, $15/hr is really absolute minimum for a grown-up to watch one child, and then you'll need to screen very, very carefully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? $14.25 is low for DC area. Do a search.

+1. If you are far out, or in the "poorer" areas of town, or paying under the table, or hiring someone illegal, you may be ok. Otherwise, $15/hr is really absolute minimum for a grown-up to watch one child, and then you'll need to screen very, very carefully.

Also, if you are paying legally/on the books, add another 10-12% for taxes, unemployment insurance, and worker's comp.

In general, if you are struggling to afford the base salary for your nanny, you are not going to like being nanny employers. You're going to find a lot of unexpected expenses as the year goes on.

[Anonymous]

Wow... That is really low! Where do you live? If you are in the D.C. Area you will not find anyone even decent for that low amount of pay.

[Anonymous]

If you are in DC I would try to find a nanny with own little kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi there, was wondering what sort of nanny we would be looking at for a budget of ~14.25/hour (blended... so ~$13/hour regular + 19.50 at OT)? Will offer 2 weeks paid time off, plus 3 sick days, and of course major holidays. 2 kids, one in preschool 5 days/week, one toddler not yet in preschool. Also have a car nanny can use for any transportation needs while with the kids.

Are we in line with market or not? Would like to gut check this before we start looking for candidates.

You are below market, for sure. Many nannies make $17-$19 as a base rate, and you're overtime rate is about that. How many total hours is the position?

On top of that, your sick days are low (5 days is standard).

The bolded is not a nanny perk, you are simply providing the equipment for her to do the job, so I'm not sure why it's included in the description of your compensation package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi there, was wondering what sort of nanny we would be looking at for a budget of ~14.25/hour (blended... so ~$13/hour regular + 19.50 at OT)? Will offer 2 weeks paid time off, plus 3 sick days, and of course major holidays. 2 kids, one in preschool 5 days/week, one toddler not yet in preschool. Also have a car nanny can use for any transportation needs while with the kids.

Are we in line with market or not? Would like to gut check this before we start looking for candidates.

You are below market, for sure. Many nannies make $17-$19 as a base rate, and you're overtime rate is about that. How many total hours is the position?

On top of that, your sick days are low (5 days is standard).

The bolded is not a nanny perk, you are simply providing the equipment for her to do the job, so I'm not sure why it's included in the description of your compensation package.

Correction: that should say "your".

[Anonymous]

A good test would be to put your ad out there, advertising $13/hour. See what types of candidates you get. If they are not to your satisfaction (which they probably won't be), then raise the rate.

I used to work for a nanny placement agency and I can't think of a single nanny who would have worked for that rate. Even $15/hour is considered to be on the low side, depending on the number of hours and the total compensation package.

[Anonymous]

The only reason I mentioned the car is to point out nanny would not be expected to use their car (and be reimbursed). I heard some nannies do not like that. Definitely do not consider it part of the compensation.

Thanks for the gut check, again we are just starting out on this path so wanted to get feedback. Yes we understand the taxes piece and know it is an additional ~15% on top. Seems our rate might be low so will need to re-look at other parts of the budget.

Thanks all

[Anonymous]

If you're willing to do a nanny share, hire a nanny with her own child or a nanny with little experience yet, then it might be ok.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the above... Your rate is very low and you will be unlikely to find a qualified candidate at that rate, and certainly not an exemplary candidate. You could be open to a nanny with her own child or a nanny share. Also, I do think you providing a vehicle is a plus and something to note. Personally, I hate using my own car. I am highly particular and take very good care of my new and expensive vehicle. I really don't like kids in it.

[Anonymous]

OP - just put it out there and see what you get. There are WIDE ranging views on pay on this site, although your proposal is very low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi there, was wondering what sort of nanny we would be looking at for a budget of ~14.25/hour (blended... so ~$13/hour regular + 19.50 at OT)? Will offer 2 weeks paid time off, plus 3 sick days, and of course major holidays. 2 kids, one in preschool 5 days/week, one toddler not yet in preschool. Also have a car nanny can use for any transportation needs while with the kids.

Are we in line with market or not? Would like to gut check this before we start looking for candidates.

You'll be fine with that unless you're paying full taxes. If you're paying under the table at 50 hours a week that's market because of what the take home would be for the nanny. Lots of us in DC are paying taxes on our nannies (myself included) so the rates we pay are higher. If we paid at the rate your talking about and taxes are taken the take home ends up being too low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi there, was wondering what sort of nanny we would be looking at for a budget of ~14.25/hour (blended... so ~$13/hour regular + 19.50 at OT)? Will offer 2 weeks paid time off, plus 3 sick days, and of course major holidays. 2 kids, one in preschool 5 days/week, one toddler not yet in preschool. Also have a car nanny can use for any transportation needs while with the kids.

Are we in line with market or not? Would like to gut check this before we start looking for candidates.

You'll be fine with that unless you're paying full taxes. If you're paying under the table at 50 hours a week that's market because of what the take home would be for the nanny. Lots of us in DC are paying taxes on our nannies (myself included) so the rates we pay are higher. If we paid at the rate your talking about and taxes are taken the take home ends up being too low.[/quote

*youre* talking about