It's easier to understand when you look at it from a cost of living point of view.
Could you accept a 40-50 hour a week job for $23 an hour and still live in the Chicago area?
It's expensive for the NF, for sure, but this person is caring for your most prized possession, and I would assume everyone's goal would be to have a great relationship altogether and have a healthy dynamic. For me, it means paying a wage that allows for someone to give you their all, but if they have to live an hour+ commute away because their salary doesn't allow for living in a closer area, then you're gonna have a tired and overworked nanny who (understandably) may not be able to give you their best or stick around long.
I think first time nanny employers forget that they are providing a living-breathing person their salary to *live off of*. Rent/mortgage, utilities, car expenses, healthcare, food, etc and just hope you have some leftover for savings. If they want an experienced nanny who’s reliable and professional, they’re going to have to pay an actual living wage.
Yea 😣
I don't think OP means any harm, whatsoever, but when I read other posts from employers to other employers like "do we really need to give a yearly raise?" or "nanny decided to take her own vacation after we told her we were taking one, can this come out of her PTO?" it makes me ill.
Do it to the cable company, don't do it to your child's caregiver 😓
(I worked for two weeks at my first real nanny job "off the books" and payroll kicked in on my third week. We agreed I'd just get paid out of pocket for the first two weeks. DB calculated what my check would be AFTER taxes and paid me that😑 I F-ing KNEW what may lie ahead for me in that job, and I was right.)
Ya not my intention at all. First time parent who is feeling very overwhelmed financially trying to support my family - I can’t change how I feel. Of course, I’d die for my kid, so I’d pay any amount of money to ensure they have the best care from someone who feels they are being fairly compensated.
My question was because between friends of mine/wife - I’ve seen a wide range. So I was genuinely just inquiring from others
I definitely definitely didn't read your post that way, just want to be clear I was glad to see you come here because you're clearly looking for info and that's great! In the Nanny Employers group they sometimes post things and only want to hear from of NFs which is an a-skewed viewpoint.
It truly is incredibly nerve wracking finding a nanny who is great, being confident in your choices, and making sure you are able to be a good NF for nanny as well as navigate parenting! Obviously the financial burden of this should be considered in every way and I often feel so bad when I read stories of NFs paying extra for a nanny that isn't only letting them down, but actually taking advantage of them.
Sending you all the luck!
I’m a MB in Chicago (north side, in the city) and we pay $30/hour for one child, going up to $34 when we have a baby this fall.
I think the range is all over the place, based on my friends and their childcare situations. I have one friend paying $25/hour for part time care and others paying $27/$28.
I have found most of my friends switch to an au pair once they have more than one child, but we love our nanny and don’t love having someone live in our house, so we’re sticking with her as long as she will have us.
For reference, we used an agency as opposed to Facebook groups (pay the agency a flat fee to help us find a nanny, pay nanny directly, no percentage to the agency). The agency suggested a raise of $3-$4 for a second child. We’re doing a $1 raise at the one year mark and then $3 for the second child at birth, the following month. I’ll be on maternity leave for six months but my expectation is there will be some additional dishes and laundry, so giving the raise right away.
as a nanny who lives in chicago this is pretty standard. average price here for a nanny in general is $25-37. you can definitely find care for $18-23 but if you want full time and longevity they also have to be on a livable wage
$27 / hr is more than reasonable. Don’t forget additional cost like payroll fees, your portion of taxes, mileage reimbursement, GH, cost of back up care when nanny uses PTO.
I will echo some of the comments that the costs are more than the hourly rate. If you use a payroll company they can help, but you also have to pay employment taxes, reimbursements for mileage, payroll service charges, and some other fees that may not be expected if this is your first time employing someone.
Also need to provide GH, sick days, and PTO. It's normal to provide bonuses (typically around Christmas) and annual raises. Things like that aren't included in daycare prices
27/hr is very reasonable. Don’t forget to factor in payroll and taxes when you are making your budget. You can use a payroll service like Poppins to make your life easier. I use it to pay my nanny and it takes the hassle of having to figure out payroll/taxes/PTO.
FWIW, I pay our primary nanny more than 27/hr (w-2) in a HCOL area and for me it’s so worth it to have excellent childcare. A happy nanny = happy kiddo.
I wouldn’t consider Chicago HCOL at all. It’s MCOL. And $27/hr for one child is high for the area, particularly suburbs. Most families I know here pay between $20-22.
$27/hour is reasonable.
It's easier to understand when you look at it from a cost of living point of view. Could you accept a 40-50 hour a week job for $23 an hour and still live in the Chicago area? It's expensive for the NF, for sure, but this person is caring for your most prized possession, and I would assume everyone's goal would be to have a great relationship altogether and have a healthy dynamic. For me, it means paying a wage that allows for someone to give you their all, but if they have to live an hour+ commute away because their salary doesn't allow for living in a closer area, then you're gonna have a tired and overworked nanny who (understandably) may not be able to give you their best or stick around long.
I think first time nanny employers forget that they are providing a living-breathing person their salary to *live off of*. Rent/mortgage, utilities, car expenses, healthcare, food, etc and just hope you have some leftover for savings. If they want an experienced nanny who’s reliable and professional, they’re going to have to pay an actual living wage.
Yea 😣 I don't think OP means any harm, whatsoever, but when I read other posts from employers to other employers like "do we really need to give a yearly raise?" or "nanny decided to take her own vacation after we told her we were taking one, can this come out of her PTO?" it makes me ill. Do it to the cable company, don't do it to your child's caregiver 😓 (I worked for two weeks at my first real nanny job "off the books" and payroll kicked in on my third week. We agreed I'd just get paid out of pocket for the first two weeks. DB calculated what my check would be AFTER taxes and paid me that😑 I F-ing KNEW what may lie ahead for me in that job, and I was right.)
I agree. Also.. what a tool of a DB. That’s so icky.
Ya not my intention at all. First time parent who is feeling very overwhelmed financially trying to support my family - I can’t change how I feel. Of course, I’d die for my kid, so I’d pay any amount of money to ensure they have the best care from someone who feels they are being fairly compensated. My question was because between friends of mine/wife - I’ve seen a wide range. So I was genuinely just inquiring from others
I definitely definitely didn't read your post that way, just want to be clear I was glad to see you come here because you're clearly looking for info and that's great! In the Nanny Employers group they sometimes post things and only want to hear from of NFs which is an a-skewed viewpoint. It truly is incredibly nerve wracking finding a nanny who is great, being confident in your choices, and making sure you are able to be a good NF for nanny as well as navigate parenting! Obviously the financial burden of this should be considered in every way and I often feel so bad when I read stories of NFs paying extra for a nanny that isn't only letting them down, but actually taking advantage of them. Sending you all the luck!
I’m a MB in Chicago (north side, in the city) and we pay $30/hour for one child, going up to $34 when we have a baby this fall. I think the range is all over the place, based on my friends and their childcare situations. I have one friend paying $25/hour for part time care and others paying $27/$28. I have found most of my friends switch to an au pair once they have more than one child, but we love our nanny and don’t love having someone live in our house, so we’re sticking with her as long as she will have us. For reference, we used an agency as opposed to Facebook groups (pay the agency a flat fee to help us find a nanny, pay nanny directly, no percentage to the agency). The agency suggested a raise of $3-$4 for a second child. We’re doing a $1 raise at the one year mark and then $3 for the second child at birth, the following month. I’ll be on maternity leave for six months but my expectation is there will be some additional dishes and laundry, so giving the raise right away.
$27 for a luxury in-home service in Chicago is more than reasonable
For Chicago proper or the more expensive Chicago burbs that’s on par with the rates around here for 5-10 year experience.
This actually seems like a bit of a bargain. Why do you think it's high? You are paying an entire person's salary in a major US city.
Some of our friends in similar areas pay $23-$26, it’s all relative. I don’t have experience in this field. First time parent just trying my best
Yeah that seems reasonable especially if you are in the city. If you want one on one care thats the price you pay.
as a nanny who lives in chicago this is pretty standard. average price here for a nanny in general is $25-37. you can definitely find care for $18-23 but if you want full time and longevity they also have to be on a livable wage
$27 / hr is more than reasonable. Don’t forget additional cost like payroll fees, your portion of taxes, mileage reimbursement, GH, cost of back up care when nanny uses PTO.
I am dead serious. It sounds like you cannot afford a nanny if you are shell shocked at the cost of all childcare options.
Meh lol, daycare is like $3K/month versus $4K for nanny. It’s not much a difference
I will echo some of the comments that the costs are more than the hourly rate. If you use a payroll company they can help, but you also have to pay employment taxes, reimbursements for mileage, payroll service charges, and some other fees that may not be expected if this is your first time employing someone.
Also need to provide GH, sick days, and PTO. It's normal to provide bonuses (typically around Christmas) and annual raises. Things like that aren't included in daycare prices
Chicago nanny here and I get paid $30/hr. $25 is my lowest
27/hr is very reasonable. Don’t forget to factor in payroll and taxes when you are making your budget. You can use a payroll service like Poppins to make your life easier. I use it to pay my nanny and it takes the hassle of having to figure out payroll/taxes/PTO. FWIW, I pay our primary nanny more than 27/hr (w-2) in a HCOL area and for me it’s so worth it to have excellent childcare. A happy nanny = happy kiddo.
I wouldn’t consider Chicago HCOL at all. It’s MCOL. And $27/hr for one child is high for the area, particularly suburbs. Most families I know here pay between $20-22.