Monday

Standard Rate and Raise Schedule Needed

OPINION
What is the standard raise schedule for a nanny? Also what is the standard rate? Our nanny will have been with us 6 months in September. She is a good nanny and takes great of our boys. We started her off a bit low for a nanny caring for two young childen. It wasn't our intention, we are new to having a nanny, our first child went to daycare. Any advice you can offer would be much appreciated.

26 comments:

♥ Amy Darling ♥ said...

OP, you stated that you started off "low" in regards to pay for your boys. Well, now that you know you underpaid her, you should remedy this situation ASAP and pay her what the going rate is for the number of children she watches.

Since you started her off so low, I would just give her a raise now at the six month mark.

Good luck.

Nj nanny said...

I am a nanny and was also started at the low end of the going rate where I live. At 6 months my employers knew I was a great fit and was doing a great job and I was given a pretty significant increase. If I were you I'd give her a nice raise. It was great to know my employers recognized that they were paying on the low end, especially with all the duties I had. After the raise it made things a little easier for me and I wasn't so stressed out with all the tasks, since I was now getting the appropriate compensation. If she's a keeper- you need to let her know you appreciate her and part of that is compensating well!

WashingtonNanny said...

I have always received between $0.50-1.00 an hour for my yearly raises...

Village said...

You can never pay your nanny enough money. Pay her as much as you can, and get her a car to drive around YOUR children. Pay the car insurance, the gas, and get her a cell phone.

MB started her off 'a bit low' but is wasn't intentional? Is that like I didn't mean to have sex, I just fell on his erect penis, IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!!

Parents who nickel and dime the nanny stand on my last nerve, obviously.

leftcoastmama said...

I know first hand how tricky starting off with a nanny can be, and the mistakes made.

Now that you now you are underpaying your nanny, give her an increase in wages immediately. You do not need to wait until September.

After that we have always given our nannies a raise of $0.50-$1.00 an hour for each year she is with us effective on the anniversary of her hire.

We also increase salry by $ 1.00-$2.00/hr for each additional child or additional duties( duties nanny agrees to take on).

Also negotiate a contract if you haven't already.

If your nanny is driving your kids around you also need to provide her with a car, with carseats properly installed, appropriate insurance , and gas.

Also give her a gas card in case she needs to fill up while out.

If you the type of parent that wants regular contact with your nanny, get her a cell phone and pay for it.

Health insurance either a portion paid or paid in full is also a much appreciated job benefit.

But do not sit on that wage increase. She may have accepted because she needed work, but make no mistake about it she is looking for a better paying gig, so if you want to keep her pay her well.

Nannygal said...

Yes- Do Not Wait to pay her or she will leave- this is never ending in this industry. The high-rate of Nanny turnover is ridiculous because parents try to cut corners, but it always catches up with them. When you lose her, only then will you regret it and wish you had just paid her more.

I once interviewed with a woman complaining that she had been through 5 nannies in 6 months and understood why "parents just take their kids to daycare." What I wanted to tell her is that what she was paying- less than $300 a week for the Nanny to watch her child full-time was the real reason she couldn't keep anyone.

Maybe some young dumb 18 year old will do it for that rate thinking it will be a cakewalk- but they soon learn that the job is absolutely exhausting and get out fast, leaving the parents with nothing.

Honestly nannies are expensive- and if you don't pay with the rest of the market they will move on- or stay and just start resenting you or your children on the job which will deteriorate everything.

Nannygal said...

Btw- the cost of daycare for one child is nearly $250- so the standard pay rate for a Nanny watching 1 child in the privacy of your own home is at least double that at $26,00 a year or $500 a week. A younger inexperienced Nanny may do $400-$450 a week for 1 child at $20, 800 a year but that is low- only $10 an hour for 1 child. The starting rate for experienced nannies for 1 child is $500 plus- always.

Bethany said...

Did you not check the rates in the area?

Anway, give her a raise now so that she is making the proper amount for your area.

If you wait for September , she may have quit on you by then.

Raises are typically give annually. In my experience it's additional 50 cents per year.

A raise is also given for additional children or responsibilities.

I charge an additional $2/hr/ additional child.

Nc nanny said...

I believe you should always give a nanny a raise at 1 year... And that is the bare minimum. When my one year review came up and I didn't receive any type of raise (and was told I would receive raises based upon the children meeting developmental milestones) I decided to leave. PLease pay your nannies what they are worth.

Bethany said...

I remember that post NC nanny! I couldn't believe it. Good for you. I hope you've found a new job with reasonable employers.

nycmom said...

I usually give a first raise at 3 or 6 months, then annually after that with a full review and discussion of the contract. I list expected annual raise as 3-5% which is consistent with Cost of Living increases. In reality, I usually increase by $1/hr/year. I also increase the Xmas bonus a bit. First year is one week salary, then I usually do 2 weeks salary after that. Everything except the first raise I spell out expectations in the contract so there is no confusion or disappointment.

Nc nanny said...

Thanks Bethany!! It was ridiculous and I actually have returned to nursing school. That was kinda the end of nannying for me! I love the kids more than life but parents sometimes make things difficult! Glad to see I wasn't the only one who thought that was crazy though ;)

ericsmom said...

Nc Nanny

Good for you!! I think you will love nursing. Sure beats childcare, lol.

MichiganMom said...

I'd caution those posters who put dollar figures for what is appropriate pay. This varies hugely around the country (as do the salaries for all other jobs) - for one thing, the nanny's own cost of living is going to be really different in a small town in the midwest versus, say, San Francisco or NYC. From my experience hiring a nanny, it also varies quite a bit based on the nanny's experience level and, sometimes, education or training in the field.

NannyBrandie said...

To be a full time nanny for two boys she deserves 1$5-18$ and hour, with benefits (vacation, sick days, holidays, $$ towards health insurance, gas, $$ towards car insurance). If she fulfills her duties, minimum first year is a 1$/hr raise, and if she continues to be an outstanding nanny a dollar each year, but if she is mediocre 50/cents an hour.

shocked OP said...

Wow! Do you really think she would quit over this?

That seems extreme. She did agree to the salary we are giving her.

Yes we like her, and will give her some sort of raise, but I can't believe she would just up and quit.

If it's likely she will leave over this. Why bother?

Fiona said...

She may not quit.

People are telling you that it's very likely she is looking for a position that gives her a better salary.

Yes she did agree to the rate. Maybe she was out of work for a time and was desperate. A low paying job is better than no job at all if you have bills to pay.


Why would you hold out?
You know you are underpaying her, why not rectify that immediately?

Now you are upset at the idea your nanny might leave because she is being underrpaid, but at the same time you don't want to take an action that may encourage to stick around.

I don't understand your logic.

NannyinNY said...

I wonder your logic as well- this is why no one really sticks to this career choice. Parents are always basing our salaries on "what we deserve" and act as if we are out to take advantage of them just because we want a salary in line with the rest of the world.

Honestly no one can really realistically live off of less than $35,000 a year comfortably- but that is considered "good money" to most families to give their Nanny as a median salary.

In the real world that type of salary is a joke- a typical starting salary for 21 year old kids just graduating from college and starting their first job. I hate how families think nannies just have to live with the rate the parents chose because they can't pay someone a salary to live off of.

Katie said...

Increase her pay.

Do you need her to come begging to you for more money?

You made an error now correct it.

If you don't want to give her a raise, don't do it.

But please don't complain that your wonderful nanny left you, if she decides to leave because she's not making enough money because you're deciding to hold out on her.

Razzle Dazzle said...

@Fiona: +1

Bethany said...

Good for you ncnanny!

How far are you into nursing school?

I've been toying with the idea of going to nursing school.

I love being a nanny and caring for babies and helping families, but I've hit a point in my life where I need better income and a more reliable career. I'm all very passionate about maternal-child health and think I could have more of an impact on my community with a nursing career.

Susannah said...

Standard is an annual raise of 3-5%.

You can probably get away with waiting until September to increase your nanny's pay because it's not likely she'll find a better paying job before then.

At that time , it would be prudent of you to pay her what you now know is the expected rate in your area. Don't be cheap.

Nc nanny said...

Yay Bethany!!! Another ex nanny nurse ;) I'm just starting out but I love it already! I think you would enjoy it. If there is a way to get personal emails I can send you an email with more information on it!

Village said...

OP has no logic. She is just trying to get the least expensive nanny possible. I wouldn't work for her. I'm guessing her nanny was in desperate straights when she took the job, and will leave as soon as she gets a better offer.

What happened to treat others as you would like to be treated? Would you want your employer to squeeze the last drop out of you while paying the least amount possible?

'Do you really think she would quit over this?' LOL ROTFLMAO. No honey, no one ever quit one job to make more money at another job.

Bethany said...

NCnanny
You can send me a message via twitter to nanny-nurse.

Are you a member of allnurses?

Handynanny said...

It depends just how low you are on the pay scale. If you are below the average low, then yes she'll leave, eventually. But if you're Kat simply on the low side f the scale, then as long as you do everything else treat her well, paid time off, etc... She'll probably stay. I actually work for a family who pays on the low end... Although I don't think they realize it. However they are the best family ever in terms of how they treat me ... Salaried, time off, respect my time and never late, lots of respect for me and appreciation, coffees, lunches etc. So I will choose to stay with them, even though it is on the low end of the scale because it's dependable, respectful, and appreciative. Give her a 5 percent raise. And make sure or Christmas she gets at least one week bonus. Otherwise.... Good luck keeping her.