Current Nanny Rates (DC - Single Child)

[Anonymous]

I realize there are other threads but they don't seem current or applicable for our situation.

We are looking to hire a nanny when I return to work.

Situation:
Single child
Will be 4 months
Will offer 2 weeks paid vacation (one with us one her choice), sick leave per DC law
All taxes, workers comp above board.
Anticipate 40 hrs + 5-10 or more OT
May do some traveling and will pay for all expenses

We are well educated, pretty easy going parents and live in a nice home and neighborhood close to parks, restaurants etc.

We have talked to a few and most are in the 18-20 dollars per hour range which seems like where most of our friends that have nannies are. We have also talked to one we like who was in the 25+ range which seems excessive (although I'm sure some get it).

My sense was 20/hr or maybe a couple dollars more.

I've talked to some friends and they are of two minds. (1) you can absolutely find someone good for less; (2) better to overpay so she doesn't leave you for another job.

I know some people were talking about 25+ for a nanny share or 2 kids but that's not our situation. Also see study below (only have 2017 data)

https://nanny.org/production/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-INA-Nanny-Salary-Benefits-Survey-FINAL.pdf

[Anonymous]

Are you expecting the nanny you like to lower her rate for you?

If you cannot afford her then go with the nanny you can within your price range. I don’t believe in “current” rates. Nannies make their own rates based on their experience and skills.

Look at the thread under General Discussion about nanny salaries. They are all over the place.

[Anonymous]

What's your question, OP?

[Anonymous]

Your situation seems completely typical to me, and it looks like you have a very solid handle on how to frame your job, the range of choices/camps in the marketplace re hourly rates, and a good sense of what you want or believe is reasonable to pay. You define the job, set the parameters of pay you'll offer, list the job and see if you get candidates you like. Go from there.

I agree w/ the pp - what's your question?

[Anonymous]

$18-$20 is pretty typical, as you've already discovered. There will be some outliers on either side, and you just have to decide if it's worth it to pay extra for the one you like. Do remember to factor in bonuses and annual raises, though.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Apologies if my question was vague.

I am looking on guidance / views about paying for someone north of $20 per hour for a single infant.
Specifically how do people feel about someone asking to get paid north of 22/23 per hour and would you pay it?

My sense is that the ranges are (below) (again for single infant and not a nanny share). Are my assumptions accurate? We are new to this word.

Sub 16: Buyer beware.
16-19: You can find someone but skills and dependability may vary.
20: A decent fair salary where you can find a range of talented people
21-23 An above average salary that you can find talented people and allow for some additional overtime hours and raises.
24+ Seems excessive to me but please correct me if you think otherwise.

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Apologies if my question was vague.

I am looking on guidance / views about paying for someone north of $20 per hour for a single infant.
Specifically how do people feel about someone asking to get paid north of 22/23 per hour and would you pay it?

My sense is that the ranges are (below) (again for single infant and not a nanny share). Are my assumptions accurate? We are new to this word.

Sub 18: Buyer beware.
18-19: You can find someone but skills and dependability may vary.
20-22: A decent fair salary where you can find a range of talented people
23-25 An above average salary that you can find talented people and allow for some additional overtime hours and raises.
26+ Typically well-educated, highly experienced individuals, who are talented at skating the fine line between being the baby expert and telling new parents what to do.

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Apologies if my question was vague.

I am looking on guidance / views about paying for someone north of $20 per hour for a single infant.
Specifically how do people feel about someone asking to get paid north of 22/23 per hour and would you pay it?

My sense is that the ranges are (below) (again for single infant and not a nanny share). Are my assumptions accurate? We are new to this word.

Sub 16: Buyer beware.
16-19: You can find someone but skills and dependability may vary.
20: A decent fair salary where you can find a range of talented people
21-23 An above average salary that you can find talented people and allow for some additional overtime hours and raises.
24+ Seems excessive to me but please correct me if you think otherwise.

Thanks again.

I generally agree with these numbers but would say sub-$17 is the floor, with that next bracket 17-18, then 19-20 (since most people I know pay in this range, so it seems pretty average and will draw a reasonable pool of qualified candidates).

I would not personally pay more than $20 simply because we would not be able to do bonuses or raises in that situation, and that seems unfair (even if they are technically "optional"). I also think there are many good, qualified candidates at that price point, though you'll have to do your own assessment based on who applies. But your family's finances and needs may not be the same as ours. We ended up doing shares for both kids because it generally meant a more qualified nanny than we could afford solo, and we liked the socialization aspect of it. But we also have pretty consistent and flexible schedules and were fine not hosting; not everyone is (including our host families in both cases, for instance, who would not have wanted to do shares that they did not host full-time because their hours were so long).

[Anonymous]

OP here. I was thinking these rates included tax withholding but it's unclear to me since several of the people we've interviewed have either asked for payment in cash or do not have Green Card yet. That's causing some real headaches since I need to do this above board.

[Anonymous]

I'd be interested in applying for your position.

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize there are other threads but they don't seem current or applicable for our situation.

We are looking to hire a nanny when I return to work.

Situation:
Single child
Will be 4 months
Will offer 2 weeks paid vacation (one with us one her choice), sick leave per DC law
All taxes, workers comp above board.
Anticipate 40 hrs + 5-10 or more OT
May do some traveling and will pay for all expenses

We are well educated, pretty easy going parents and live in a nice home and neighborhood close to parks, restaurants etc.

We have talked to a few and most are in the 18-20 dollars per hour range which seems like where most of our friends that have nannies are. We have also talked to one we like who was in the 25+ range which seems excessive (although I'm sure some get it).

My sense was 20/hr or maybe a couple dollars more.

I've talked to some friends and they are of two minds. (1) you can absolutely find someone good for less; (2) better to overpay so she doesn't leave you for another job.

I know some people were talking about 25+ for a nanny share or 2 kids but that's not our situation. Also see study below (only have 2017 data)

https://nanny.org/production/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-INA-Nanny-Salary-Benefits-Survey-FINAL.pdf

Just wanted to note that the data in the link you provided only included 28 respondents in DC (the lowest number of respondents in any of the states that were sampled). So, I wouldn't weigh this too heavily. It also mentioned a variety of other things that factor into a nanny's salary, which is true. In terms of what your friends said, both are true. If you want to, you can probably find someone for less depending on your wants/needs. I wouldn't expect person to have extensive child care experience, stay very long, and you might have to search for awhile to find a native English speaker at this rate. In terms of the second friend comment, overpaying does not guarantee nanny will stay. That depends a lot on compatibility, other job offers, personality matches, and other things that might be outside of your control. It definitely helps to pay more when you want to retain someone, but this does not guarantee it. If you decide to go higher, you will have a better pool of applicants. I'd only limit yourself if you know that 20/hr if you are certain that is the max you are willing to pay, as you might find better candidates at higher rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I was thinking these rates included tax withholding but it's unclear to me since several of the people we've interviewed have either asked for payment in cash or do not have Green Card yet. That's causing some real headaches since I need to do this above board.

All the rates quoted should always be gross numbers. Be clear in your advertisement about whether you are doing an I-9 to prove legal ability to hire and W-4 for tax withholding. It’ll cut down significantly on the nannies who only want cash or would pay taxes but are illegally in the US/working on papers:

[Anonymous]

I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

[Anonymous]

One thing I would stress is that nanny quality is not some kind of ranked order, well-defined metric. There are some broad correlations between rate or quality vs education or experience level, but this job is intensely dependent on mutual fit. Not to say you should be holding out for some basement bargain gem, but that even if you only looked at nannies who charge $25+ or have 15+ years of experience or whatever, there will be many nannies who are not a good match for you. Interview with a wide range of candidates and an open mind, especially if this is your first time and you are not quite sure what exactly you are looking for. It is a bit like house hunting... have a budget estimate but make your actual offer based on the candidate.