Salary & Benefits Survey (performed 2017)
The most recent data gathered by a reputable industry authority indicates levels of compensation, benefits and availability of full-time work for skilled, in-home child caregivers have risen steadily over the last several years.
The 2017 Nanny Salary & Benefits Survey, conducted by the International Nanny Association using research firm Survey Design & Analysis, showed the average hourly rate of nannies to be $19.14 — an improvement over the $18.66 rate recorded in 2014—and that benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation and guaranteed pay were also more widely received.
The survey aims to offer valid salary and benefit information among industry professionals, and the 2017 version—distributed to nannies in the U.S., Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries—showcased the correlation between training and experience, and pay rates and benefit packages.
Comprehensive results of the 2017 Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey are available at nanny.org, but a concise summary article is available on the INA’s blog.
Drawing from 1,449 complete responses and 388 partial responses, the survey determined that 42 percent of nannies have earned a minimum of a two-year college degree, and 71 percent have accumulated more than five years of experience in the field. Among respondents, 53 percent identify their current role as fitting the nanny job description.
The INA defines a nanny as a child care professional who provides customized care and companionship to children in a family’s home. The ideal nanny has training in specialized care and meets the physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of children in the household.
The 2017 survey found that higher hourly wages among nannies are commensurate with higher levels of education, training and experience. Furthermore, nannies who have passed the INA Nanny Credential Exam or the INA Basic Skills Assessment enjoy higher rates of compensation.
The Nanny Credential Exam is a practical evaluation of a nanny’s child-care knowledge and is a proctored test consisting of 100 multiple choice questions and one multi-part, open-response essay question. The exam covers subjects of child development, family/provider communication, child guidance, multicultural/diversity awareness, learning environment, personal qualities of a nanny, safety, management skills, health, nutrition and professionalism.
The Basic Skills Assessment examines elementary knowledge of child care. The 40-question test, compiled by veteran members of the INA, can be taken online and addresses subjects of health, safety, nutrition, professionalism and child development.
Additional salary findings show that 64 percent of in-home child caregivers were paid legally; 52 percent had a salary increase in the 12 months prior to the survey, which bests 2012’s mark of 38 percent; and 60 percent received an annual bonus in the year preceding the survey.
Relevant data regarding nanny benefits revealed that 75 percent of respondents received a paid vacation in 2017, an improvement over the 57 percent who were given paid leave in 2014. Guaranteed pay, which compensates nannies in the event a family does not need them, was offered to 76 percent of caregivers, up from 71 percent in 2014, and 17 percent were awarded health insurance, 10 percent in a partial capacity and 7 percent in full.
The portion of nannies who obtained written work agreements also increased incrementally as 69 percent reported being under contract compared to 67 percent in 2014.
Finally, 77 percent of nannies surveyed reported full-time work status, while 42 percent confirmed holding the dual role of nanny/household manager, another increase from 2014 in which 38 percent worked double duty.
For more results from the 2017 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey, visit nanny.org.