The INA has just released the results of their 2014 Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey. Are you paying your nanny enough?

Am I paying my nanny appropriately? To answer this question, the International Nanny Association has released the results of their 2014 Nanny Salary and Benefits survey, done in conjunction with Survey Design & Analysis, a professional research firm.

The purpose of this annual survey is to collect data on the state of the nanny industry, to see if the profession is keeping up with the economic gains in the US. A new twist is that for the first time, the survey included international data, especially from Australia. Australian salaries are a bit higher than the US. One online source,  quoted $15-$25 per hour or an average of $20 for an Australian nanny. Some of the new questions this year were designed to determine how additional training and experience affects salaries.

Comparisons were made back to the 2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits survey to highlight trends.

General trends–

Only 8% of responders were live-in nannies, a trend we have definitely seen in Arizona, where live-in nanny placements have become increasingly rare. Also not surprisingly, 85% of respondents have some college education, and three fourths work full-time. The percent of full-time nannies is up 7% since 2012. Happily, 67% have a written work agreement in place, but this number goes up to 80% if they were placed by a ‘brick and mortar’ agency like Caring Nannies. Caring Nannies sees a written working agreement essential for long term satisfaction and longevity in the nanny/family relationship. However, only half of the respondents reported that what they’re actually doing on a daily basis matches their written list of duties.

Reporters included 38% who described themselves as nanny/house managers. 72% have more than 5 years of experience in the profession.

Additional salary findings-

• The average salary families are paying the nanny is $18.66, which is up $1 from 2012
• Salary increases are up – 49% got increases in the past 12 months, compared to only 38% in a more cautious 2012.
• The more experienced and educated nannies tend to get the higher salaries. No surprise there.
• Annual bonuses hit 60%, up from 53% in 2011.
• Families paying their nannies legally topped out at 64%.

Nanny benefits-

• In 2012, 66% of nannies received paid holidays, now down to 57%, and 62% get a paid vacation.
• “Guaranteed pay”, when the family is paying the nanny while on an extended trip, or when Grandma comes to town, is at 71%.
• Health Insurance is still an unusual benefit for the nanny profession, staying at 10% for full health insurance and 12% for partial. This is an area for employers to consider, as it gives the family and the nanny healthy tax breaks ,initiated in 2012 for employer provided health insurance.

Where are nannies finding their jobs?

39% got their current job through brick and mortar nanny referral agencies, and 34% online, a 10% increase from 2012.

The INA tells us that “Survey Design and Analysis’ concluded that improved economic conditions are evident in the nanny industry; with higher hourly rate, more bonuses, more full time work.” So, most families are paying their nanny appropriately, according to the survey.

They see technology changing the industry via greater use of online classes, online job postings, and more families paying their nanny via payroll services. Education level and experience of nannies and most aspects of the nanny job have stayed constant since 2011.
See the complete survey at  2014_INA_Salary and Benefits Survey.

Beth