$100K Nannies

Good news -- evidence that quality child care is becoming increasingly valued in our society. Last Friday, USA Today ran an article in the Money section titled CEOs Shell Out Nearly 6 Figures to Secure the Perfect Nanny. The cover story profiled several experienced, college-educated nannies who earn close to $100,000, plus benefits including paid vacations, room and board, gym memberships, employer-furnished vehicles, cellphones and health insurance. For those of you interested in finding nannies with these qualifications -- or applying for these jobs yourselves -- an international resource cited in the article is the International Nanny Association. A well-known Washington, D.C., agency is White House Nannies, and a quick Internet search reveals dozens more high-end nanny placement firms around the country.

For average nanny salaries in your area, check out the International Nanny Association's 2006 Salary Survey, which breaks out results by region. Salaries ranged from $300 to more than $1,000 per week. Most nannies reporting making roughly $12-$15 an hour, with incremental overnight pay of up to $100 per night. The survey was based on 1,119 respondents.

The article explains what most moms (and at least a few dads) already know -- that raising children is a serious job that demands equally serious compensation. When both parents work full-time, a family needs a well-educated, highly competent child-care provider who can do far more than wipe noses and schedule play dates. Dual-career couples are responsible for 68 percent of nanny hiring, according to USA Today, and they are willing to pay well for college-educated nannies with degrees in fields such as education, nursing and child psychology who can home-school children, help with geometry homework and teach such skills as swimming, sports and languages.

The downside? Another fact of life for working parents: Our country needs more affordable high-quality child care. But a six-figure salary means respect in this country, and, as such, marks an important milestone. This dollar-respect for child-care providers at the top end of the salary scale should have a halo effect on all child-care providers -- paid and unpaid -- over time.

By Leslie Morgan Steiner |  July 6, 2006; 7:00 AM ET  | Category:  Childcare
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