No one in my neighborhood started out paying more than $15 an hour. This board doesn't represent most nannies. Most of the people responding aren't even from this area so whatever they claim to be making in another state isn't relevant anyway.

When we were interviewing, we saw candidates asking for rates all over the map. While I agree that marketing yourself is really important, no amount of marketing is going to overcome a $6 per hour difference between equally qualified candidates. You have to offer something VERY different to justify a 30% increase and I've yet to see any of the nannies offer something that would justify this. There is no point trying to fool people into thinking that the nannies asking for market rate are inferior because they just aren't.

In my experience, the nannies asking for market rates were more thoughtful in their interview questions, appeared to looking for a good fit, we're more flexible, and seemed more interested in finding a job that they would stay at for several years. They also had better job histories and references. Their references were sincerely sorry to see them go, while for several of the $18+ candidates the references were positive but not entirely sad to see them go.

A few references for the more expensive candidates mentioned that they were parting ways because it was just too expensive now, their family had different needs now, they were switching to a part time nanny or au pair, or they liked the nanny but couldn't justify paying her full-time with no housework with the kids in school.

Anonymous wrote:Well OP what do you have to offer? Are you college educated with alot of experience? Do you know First Aid? Do you have a vehicle, no CPR? These things will make you more valuable. If not then you're gonna find it harder to get a higher rate.

She already laid out her qualifications. Did you read the thread?

Well OP what do you have to offer? Are you college educated with alot of experience? Do you know First Aid? Do you have a vehicle, no CPR? These things will make you more valuable. If not then you're gonna find it harder to get a higher rate.

Great experience being a full time nanny not an occasional or part time sitter, American born, 2 yrs of college, CPR/First Aid certificates, good driving record, infant sign language. When salary comes up, the parents either first offer the low rate or when they ask me my rates they are disappointed to hear $18. They say they want to hire me but they have other candidates only looking for $12.

Your qualifications are good, but not unusual and not great. If you want $18/hr for one child, you are pricing yourself too high for the DC market. If you lower to $15/hr, you may be more attractive than the $12/hr candidate.

Nannies here always inflate their rates, leading families to distrust them. The truth is, there are many, many more nannies than jobs and parents really set the rates. That's why it's very important that both sides research the actual market rates for their area and start negotiations from as common place as possible.

$15/hr may not be what you want, but it's better than no job at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, I find that agency family's tend to pay higher rates.

Which agency? If you're a troll, it's understandable that you will not post which agency you're talking about.

Not the PP but chill with the troll shit. It's not one specific agency that has families that pay a lot, it's a lot of agencies. Do your research.

17 here, 1 baby, central NC. 20$ when the sibling is home, which isnt often. Found them on care.com. I've had really good success on there, although my previous family could only offer market rate, and I left them after a year for the current family.

Me:
Late 30s
20 yrs of nanny/childcare experience
Legal and educated

Anonymous wrote:I made 16 an hr in NE DC. They offered 13 I countered with 16. Now I make 20 with the same family except its turned into a nanny share where each family pays 10.00 per hour. I have over 10 years experience.

Doing a share should pay at least 20/ hr gross.

I made 16 an hr in NE DC. They offered 13 I countered with 16. Now I make 20 with the same family except its turned into a nanny share where each family pays 10.00 per hour. I have over 10 years experience.

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, I find that agency family's tend to pay higher rates.

Which agency? If you're a troll, it's understandable that you will not post which agency you're talking about.

In my experience, I find that agency family's tend to pay higher rates.

I make 17 for one toddler. Ive been with them for over a year. It did take me awhile to find the job. I do have a BA in education and some other things. My references were good but short because of the economy. They are out there. I posted an ad on here and emails poured in. I interviewed for awhile and then I just clicked with a family. I make myself available to them more than others do. Come in early, stay late, willing to travel and so forth. I also try to help out when needed. I however state what I will and won't do in my ad. Like I won't clean your house but I will clean up after myself and the children. I do not want to work for people who work or stay at home on a regular bases.

I found most people were who read my ad knew where I stood. I also temped nannied until I found something. I was told by a couple families who I worked for they hired me because I wanted to nanny and not that this is all I could do. They all knew I could do something else but choose to nanny despite the opinion of others.

I hope you find your position you are looking for.

PP here from directly above. My lowest rate was 13/hr when my only experience was a mother's helper and part time babysitting.
I think it really does have a lot to do with how your market yourself, the way you present your resume/experience, and interview skills. I have always been told I am the youngest they have interviewed but the most professional and eloquent. I carry myself in a way that attests for my rates.
I also never had to really "negotiate" my rate, after phone and in person interviews, every parent I have worked with has always accepted my stated rate and benefits. Be confident, be knowledgeable, do not be shy to express your beliefs and methods.

Anonymous wrote:

I made that rate in Maryland suburbs, and DC, one child, minimum housekeeping related to child.
I had no idea the market was so low until I came on DCUM

May I ask how recently you started your current job? I wonder if the market was better a few years ago. I still found it took a long time to find a $15 an hour job with basic benefits 3 years ago but now its worse

New job a few months ago. Last job, late 2011.

Anonymous wrote:Great experience being a full time nanny not an occasional or part time sitter, American born, 2 yrs of college, CPR/First Aid certificates, good driving record, infant sign language. When salary comes up, the parents either first offer the low rate or when they ask me my rates they are disappointed to hear $18. They say they want to hire me but they have other candidates only looking for $12.

11:55 here. You have the exact same qualifications as myself. I would suggest doing some reading on negotiation skills. I was very timid when it came to this and I believe becoming more comfortable negotiating with parents and asking for what I'm worth made all the difference. I am up front with parents about the range I'm looking for in my first contact to them, also making clear that asking for extra things will push your job towards the upper part of my range (long or odd hours, unrelated housekeeping, lack of PTO, etc). You are a business woman! Set your rates and expectations and work on your brand!

Anonymous wrote:
Lots of illegal ladies are in the dc area who are happy with 5 or 10/hr, and lots of parents who can't afford a real nanny.

Here's the issue.

I don't mean to be argumentative but isn't DC the one place where fewer jobs are under the table? This explains the below minimum wage jobs. It doesn't explain the legal jobs only offering $10-$14.