$18 is WAY too high for 1 baby. I received that as starting pay in a share for two infants.

OP, when you say full time, do you mean 40 hours? 45? 50?

Because if you take OT pay into consideration, many people (myself included) will look at the bottom line/weekly pay.

For example:
$16 * 40hrs = $640

$14 * 40hrs = $560
$21 * 5hrs = $105
So while $16/hr for a 40 hour workweek would allow the nanny to gross $640/week, a $14 base rate (and time and a half past 40) for a 45 hour workweek would allow the nanny to gross $665.

No way is $18/hour a starting salary for one child. Some nannies may make that much, if they've been with the family for a number of years, but no - not as a starting salary. $18/hour is what my friend, with special needs twins, is paying her nanny (who also happens to be a nurse). And she had tons of qualified applicants.

The moms I know in Arlington who recently hired nannies for their kids all pay then nanny between $14-16/hour.

Mine does - $14/hr.

$18 is too high for 1 baby, but I disagree with pp that $15 is common for 2 kids. My rate for one infant is $15 and always has been. I don't know any legal, fluent English speaking, relatively experienced nannies who work for less than $15.

$18 is way too high for one baby starting salary, $15 is pretty common for two kids. $14-$16 depending on experience is a mid-high level for NOVA.

Also PP these are average rates not base rates. You basically multiply the average rate time the # of guaranteed/needed hours in the weekly of the schedule and then determine the actual base rate for the 1st 40 hours and actual OT rate for the additional hours.

Trust me when a nanny asks for or accepts $15 an hour for 50 hours the weekly gross is $750 not $820.

Anonymous wrote:I've been told nannies are specifically mentioned in federal law to be hourly employees, not salaried. You must pay by the hour and overtime over 40. There is no leeway about it.

However, for families that do require much more than 40 on a regular basis, I have been told that nannies with negotiate with you for a lower rate, assuming that they will get time and a half for hours over 40. So, in order to be legal, a nanny who would otherwise be paid 15/hr will take 12/hr assuming that she will be paid time and a half for x number of hours regularly each week.

I've been told nannies are specifically mentioned in federal law to be hourly employees, not salaried. You must pay by the hour and overtime over 40. There is no leeway about it.

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the PP. $18 for one baby to start is much too much.

Yes, I agree. I posted this in the other thread about nanny pay. Sorry to repeat but

Based on these following surveys and articles, average pay seems to be around $15-16 mark. Keep in mind as you keep you nanny, a raise is expected each year so you may not want to hire at the rate you want to pay 2-3 years from now. This is for paying above the table, live out, professional nannies.

http://www.nanny.org/document.doc?id=80 -Comprehensive nationwide nanny pay survey based on almost 700 nannies
http://rosemontnanny.blogspot.com/ -dc area nannies only
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/17/nannies-child-care-business-wealthy.html -quote from Thomas Breedlove(nanny payroll company owner) on DC area nannies (~$30k/year or $14.42/hr)
http://www.4nannytaxes.com/index.cfm/resources/news-and-updates/dc-area-survey-results/

Families to pay higher and lower than average of course. For starting out nannies with no experience, I've seen $12 as a rate tossed around. I'll bet people pay $20 too but it is rare.

PP, potentially agree. I think I was thinking more of what I what expect and get. But you may be right for someone earlier in the game not bringing as much to the table.

Also you don't want to start at the top of your budget and not be able to offer a deserved raise at a later time.

What do you think would be appropriate 11:32?

I disagree with the PP. $18 for one baby to start is much too much.

It depends what part of nova. I would say a legal resident, full and fluent English (your child will be learning to speak eventually from this person), will provide transportation (your car, if her car reimburse at the government rate of .51 cents a mile), will take to classes, story times ect as becomes appropriate, addresses all mess and dishes that are made during her time at work, child's laundry (wash/fold/put away) and truly treats your son like her own child while she is there.
So all that, 1 baby, $18/hr +2 weeks vacation (one her choice, one yours), 5 sick days, all normal holidays.
Oh, and this rate also requires a minimum of 5 years nanny experience

And for sake of true disclosure, I am a nanny in N. Arlington 15 years experience, do all the things above and more. I do make more then is but I watch a family of 5... Luckily the older ones are very independent

Good luck with your search and I hope you find the right nanny for you!

Check out this thread. $15-16 seems to be about average when paying above the table.


"Nanny pay article from Forbes.com based on survey of 528 nannies"-http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/268768.page

English - yes. Drive - yes. As for cleaning, I'm only expecting her to do the baby's laundry, at least for now, because my baby is fairly fussy and needy. I wouldn't want her to feel like she has to do house cleaning over playing with the baby, for example. I will expect her to do things to help with the baby's development - not just watch and feed, and will expect her to take my boy to activities (story time at the library, play dates, etc.) when he gets older.

And, nothing will be under the table. I plan to comply with all applicable laws.

Hope that helps! Thanks!

Does she speak English? Can she drive/will she drive the baby around? Will she do light cleaning while the baby sleeps, including kitchen and baby's laundry?

Can anyone tell me what the going rate is for a full-time live-out nanny caring for one infant in Northern VA? I'm new to all of this.

Thanks!