Is $10.50 enough?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been working for a family for three years and I’m making $10.50 an hour. I started at $10/hr, but after a year they bumped me up to $10.50. I haven’t had a raise since. Is this normal?

I’ve had enough early childhood education that I’m qualified to be a daycare director, plus I’ve had about eight years of childcare experience, if that information helps.

I’m kind of struggling to make ends meet on my current salary, especially since they put him in school for a couple hours two days a week and cut my hours/pay. Has anyone else had this issue? What would you do about this?

I’d be glad to answer questions if anyone has any.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live?

[Anonymous]

no it's not enough. even in an area outside of the major metros, you should be making at least $15/hour for one kid. you should also be getting yearly raises of $1/hour, and/or mutually agreed upon benefits (larger contribution to health insurance, extra paid time off, etc.). they should be guaranteeing your hours, and if they choose to send the child to class and cutting your pay then you should tell that either you need those hours or you will have to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no it's not enough. even in an area outside of the major metros, you should be making at least $15/hour for one kid. you should also be getting yearly raises of $1/hour, and/or mutually agreed upon benefits (larger contribution to health insurance, extra paid time off, etc.). they should be guaranteeing your hours, and if they choose to send the child to class and cutting your pay then you should tell that either you need those hours or you will have to move on.

It's not, but if she lives in rural Iowa, she's not looking at ever making more than $12/hr.

Where do you live, OP, and is this legal pay or under the table?

[Anonymous]

If you're in a major metro area, you can find a job that pays far more than that. But it's really location-specific; if you're in an area of the country where nannying is unusual, you may have to take what you can get (or check out salaries for preschool positions now that you have ECE qualifications for that, since that may pay better--although sadly that's hit or miss too).

It all depends on whether you have other job prospects. Certainly it's worth looking around, since it sounds like you are highly qualified even if you're in an area that doesn't pay very well.

[Anonymous]

OP here to answer some questions.

I live in the Chicago-land suburbs in a town called Wheaton. Also, I get taxes taken out of my pay.

I am considering moving to a pre-school. I have gotten offers, I just thought I’d see if I could make this work as I am rather attached to the child.

Thank you for all the responses so far, by the way! I really appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here to answer some questions.

I live in the Chicago-land suburbs in a town called Wheaton. Also, I get taxes taken out of my pay.

I am considering moving to a pre-school. I have gotten offers, I just thought I’d see if I could make this work as I am rather attached to the child.

Thank you for all the responses so far, by the way! I really appreciate it.

Let the family know you are struggling and looking at other options. They may be able to increase, but they may also be topped out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here to answer some questions.

I live in the Chicago-land suburbs in a town called Wheaton. Also, I get taxes taken out of my pay.

I am considering moving to a pre-school. I have gotten offers, I just thought I’d see if I could make this work as I am rather attached to the child.

Thank you for all the responses so far, by the way! I really appreciate it.

If you do more on, maybe you can at least babysit the child sometimes. Win-win for all.

[Anonymous]

OP again.

I can probably ask if they’d have more hours to give me, or I could tell them I’m struggling and I’m gonna need to find an additional part time job if not just another full time job to support myself.

Money is such a tough subject to bring up. I just hope they don’t think I’m trying to take them for a ride or something! Lol

The baby-sitting thing is a good idea, actually, thanks!

[Anonymous]

How many kids do you care for? How many hours per week do you work? Do you receive benefits (contribution to healthcare, sick, vacation, PTO)? I’m not familiar with Chicago, and correct me if I’m wrong, it says minimum wage is $11- you should at least make that. In my area $.50-1.00 is given for an annual raise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here to answer some questions.

I live in the Chicago-land suburbs in a town called Wheaton. Also, I get taxes taken out of my pay.

I am considering moving to a pre-school. I have gotten offers, I just thought I’d see if I could make this work as I am rather attached to the child.

Thank you for all the responses so far, by the way! I really appreciate it.

. Yes, in Wheaton you can expect to earn between $15 to $20 easy.

[Anonymous]

I’m in a western suburb outside of Chicago, and I would say, you should be making a net of at least $13. Wheaton is a very nice suburb, I would think that other nannies in the area are making at least that.

[Anonymous]

Is the $10.50 after taxes or before? Still sounds low for where you are, but that does make a difference. The only way to know for sure is to see what else is out there, though.

[Anonymous]

No matter what OP,
It is unfair, unethical AND illegal to have you work for much less the minimum wage in your state.

I live in CA and on January 1st, our minimum wage became $11.50, yet I still get asked if I am willing to work for $10-11/HR.

Insulting at best.....

[Anonymous]

I'm an employer in the western suburbs if Chicago. $15 before tax is typical. I pay $20 before taxes. You pay seems low. Contact an agency to see what they say.