I do list my salary in my ad (along with my paid time off policy). I've done it both ways, and I'm more interested in finding the best candidate that I can for my wage than I am in looking for a bargain. I do not, however, offer more than I'm comfortable paying, and leave myself room for an annual raise.

OP here: I understand where you are coming from but the pool of applicants I have interviewed is so small that I don't have much choice. I am of course willing to pay more if the right person comes along but haven't met anybody yet. I have seen people ask for more, but they are career nannies and out of my price range $20+

OP if you have a small pool of applicants you are not posting in enough places. You should try the Gazette online and print, crags list (lots of weeding but we found a few), care.com etc. You also should try sending your ad to neighborhood listservs. In Rockville, you can pay between $12-$15 an hour for a great nanny. $20 an hour in Rockville is not happening.

Don't post your rate in your ad but also take what a candidate says as their actual rate. Counter offer and I would be surprised is anyone turns you down.

In Rockville? I'm in downtown Silver Spring, right next to the DC border, and I have not had any trouble finding nannies for $15/hr with a car, English, and at least some experience. I've found them on DCUM and care.com. I've also posted that I'm looking on facebook in case friends know someone.

Don't ask them how much they charge; list your salary range in your ad. I think you'll find more people willing to negotiate. My point is, that for $13/hr net, you should be able to find someone who can drive, at least.

If you have any ideas as to where to look other than DCUM, Craigslist and care.com, I am all ears.

Anonymous wrote:DC will only be an infant for a few more months. Are you sure this nanny will meet your needs going forward?

OP here: I understand where you are coming from but the pool of applicants I have interviewed is so small that I don't have much choice. I am of course willing to pay more if the right person comes along but haven't met anybody yet. I have seen people ask for more, but they are career nannies and out of my price range $20+

DC will only be an infant for a few more months. Are you sure this nanny will meet your needs going forward?

Anonymous wrote:

nannydebsays wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

nannydebsays wrote:When you talk net wages it's virtually impossible to accurately answer whether the GROSS wage will be fair, because we have no idea of what sort of taxes nanny will be having taken out.

Regardless, I think $13 net for the candidate you describe is inflated no matter the location. Even if you will only be withholding SS/Med, that adds about $1 to the net wage, and $14 gross is too much for the nanny you describe.

Just Medicare and SS. Interesting that you think this is on the higher end. Very frustrated that I can't find somebody with he right qualifications. Is it the location, perhaps?

What qualifications are you looking for OP? I am not in the DC area, so I can't help you with whether your location is a partial cause of your issue.

Enough English to entertain baby (9 months) and communicate without prompting with us. CPR training is good. No driving required. Regular hours between 7-5. Guaranteed 45 hours per week. Bottles + laundry for the baby, no food prep needed. I think this is very barebones but DC is young enough that I feel it is appropriate.

A non-negotiable is that we need somebody who is legal to receive a paycheck.

nannydebsays wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

nannydebsays wrote:When you talk net wages it's virtually impossible to accurately answer whether the GROSS wage will be fair, because we have no idea of what sort of taxes nanny will be having taken out.

Regardless, I think $13 net for the candidate you describe is inflated no matter the location. Even if you will only be withholding SS/Med, that adds about $1 to the net wage, and $14 gross is too much for the nanny you describe.

Just Medicare and SS. Interesting that you think this is on the higher end. Very frustrated that I can't find somebody with he right qualifications. Is it the location, perhaps?

What qualifications are you looking for OP? I am not in the DC area, so I can't help you with whether your location is a partial cause of your issue.

Enough English to entertain baby (9 months) and communicate without prompting with us. CPR training is good. No driving required. Regular hours between 7-5. Guaranteed 45 hours per week. Bottles + laundry for the baby, no food prep needed. I think this is very barebones but DC is young enough that I feel it is appropriate.

Anonymous wrote:

nannydebsays wrote:When you talk net wages it's virtually impossible to accurately answer whether the GROSS wage will be fair, because we have no idea of what sort of taxes nanny will be having taken out.

Regardless, I think $13 net for the candidate you describe is inflated no matter the location. Even if you will only be withholding SS/Med, that adds about $1 to the net wage, and $14 gross is too much for the nanny you describe.

Just Medicare and SS. Interesting that you think this is on the higher end. Very frustrated that I can't find somebody with he right qualifications. Is it the location, perhaps?

What qualifications are you looking for OP? I am not in the DC area, so I can't help you with whether your location is a partial cause of your issue.

When you talk net wages it's virtually impossible to accurately answer whether the GROSS wage will be fair, because we have no idea of what sort of taxes nanny will be having taken out.

Regardless, I think $13 net for the candidate you describe is inflated no matter the location. Even if you will only be withholding SS/Med, that adds about $1 to the net wage, and $14 gross is too much for the nanny you describe.

This is absolutely correct.

nannydebsays wrote:When you talk net wages it's virtually impossible to accurately answer whether the GROSS wage will be fair, because we have no idea of what sort of taxes nanny will be having taken out.

Regardless, I think $13 net for the candidate you describe is inflated no matter the location. Even if you will only be withholding SS/Med, that adds about $1 to the net wage, and $14 gross is too much for the nanny you describe.

Just Medicare and SS. Interesting that you think this is on the higher end. Very frustrated that I can't find somebody with he right qualifications. Is it the location, perhaps?

Anonymous wrote:Location?

Rockville, MD

When you talk net wages it's virtually impossible to accurately answer whether the GROSS wage will be fair, because we have no idea of what sort of taxes nanny will be having taken out.

Regardless, I think $13 net for the candidate you describe is inflated no matter the location. Even if you will only be withholding SS/Med, that adds about $1 to the net wage, and $14 gross is too much for the nanny you describe.

Location?

$13 net for 5 years experience, no CPR training, so-so English, and a regular 9-5 schedule for a 9 month old with no driving responsibilities. Does this sound like a fair salary compared to current market rates?