How Much Do Nannies in Boston Make?

Being a nanny is an incredibly fulfilling job. But for most nannies, they also need to know: How much will I make? While being a nanny is a calling, it’s also a livelihood, and you deserve to be paid accordingly!

Becoming a nanny in Boston can mean a plethora of families who need care, but it can also mean higher costs of living and transportation. That’s why we’re sharing how much money working nannies can potentially earn in Boston, as well as other factors they should consider to ensure they’re fairly compensated.

  1. The average pay for nannies in Boston

  2. The average cost of living in Boston

  3. Other tips to keep in mind

    A. Do the math

    B. Know your worth

    C. Ask for reimbursements or benefits

  4. Work with Sommet Nannies to find higher paying nanny positions in Boston

1) The average pay for nannies in Boston

The average pay for nannies in Boston varies slightly. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for nannies just over $20 an hour, while ZipRecruiter reports the average hourly rate at about $23 an hour. Of course, your total pay can be determined by several factors, like whether you’re full-time, part-time, have a nanny share, and how many years of experience you have.

Working with a nanny agency in Boston can also have an effect: Sommet Nannies places nannies who make, on average, $30-35 per hour. Some nannies make anywhere between $75,000 to $100,000 a year, depending on family, schedule, and experience. 

2) The average cost of living in Boston

While it’s great to know upfront how much you can potentially make as a nanny in Boston, you also need to consider the cost of living, as it can significantly impact your take-home pay. According to data from NerdWallet, here are the average housing costs in Boston:

  • Median rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $4,216

  • Median price for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home: $1,001,917

For the average median nanny salary, a two-bedroom apartment could cost more than your total income! 

It’s also essential to weigh in other factors like transportation to and from your job. If you use public transportation like most other Bostonians, a LinkPass will set you back $90 a month while a local bus pass costs $55 a month. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has several other pass options for traveling on the subway, buses, trains, and ferries so you can know exactly how much you’ll pay to get around the city each month. 

b) Know your worth

As with any job, it’s important to know your value upfront, so you don’t settle for anything less. When it comes to nannying specifically, you can typically ask for higher pay if you:

  • Care for multiple children

  • Have certifications and training (like CPR)

  • Have a degree in childhood education or a related field

  • Are expected to do more than care for kids, like do housework or run errands

3) Other tips to keep in mind

a) Do the math

Because the pay for nannies in Boston can vary, here are some additional things to keep in mind to ensure fair compensation.

When working to determine your hourly or yearly pay, always make sure to know what you need to make ahead of time. By calculating monthly expenses, you’ll be able to see how much you need to take home. It’s also OK to only interview with families who have an hourly or salary range within what you need to make. Working with a nanny agency can help you find these families a bit easier, as well.

c) Ask for reimbursements or benefits

In many cases, Boston families are willing to help their nanny with things like transportation costs, healthcare, etc. Ask for a monthly stipend to help pay for your bus pass or LinkPass, and negotiate benefits into your contract. This can help make cash flow a little easier for you, and ensure that they’ll have a dedicated and happy nanny for years to come.

4) Work with Sommet Nannies to find higher paying nanny positions in Boston

Navigating nannying jobs and salaries on your own can be overwhelming and stressful. But with the help of Sommet Nannies, you can feel good knowing they’ll advocate on your behalf. We don’t just make sure we place our nannies in full-time, high-quality jobs — we go beyond the numbers to make sure they find the perfect family fit, too. Read how our entire process works, then find your next nannying job in Boston by applying today!

Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.