Nannies: Career Profile
Care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation.
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What Tasks Do Nannies Perform?
The core tasks performed by nannies span:
- Instruct children in safe behavior, such as seeking adult assistance when crossing the street and avoiding contact with unsafe objects.
- Remove hazards and develop appropriate boundaries and rules to create a safe environment for children.
- Perform first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when required.
- Instruct and assist children in the development of health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet behavior.
- Regulate children's rest periods and nap schedules.
- Teach and perform age-appropriate activities, such as lap play, reading, and arts and crafts, to encourage intellectual development of children.
- Help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children.
- Model appropriate social behaviors and encourage concern for others to cultivate development of interpersonal relationships and communication skills.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful nannies rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Baby Sitter
- Babysitter
- Care Attendant
- Child Care Aide
- Child Care Professional
- Child Care Specialist
- Family Assistant
- Family Manager
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 269,489 nannies working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +6.8% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Nannies Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $55,232 |
| Hourly median | $26.55 |
| 10th percentile | $35,407 |
| 25th percentile | $45,319 |
| 75th percentile | $65,145 |
| 90th percentile | $75,057 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Nannies Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $45,400 |
| Massachusetts | $39,290 |
| Colorado | $38,410 |
| California | $38,220 |
| Vermont | $37,830 |
| Washington | $37,800 |
| New York | $36,630 |
| Hawaii | $36,440 |
| Oregon | $36,250 |
| Connecticut | $35,290 |
| Maryland | $35,150 |
| Arizona | $35,140 |
| Alaska | $34,980 |
| Rhode Island | $34,920 |
| Maine | $34,720 |
| New Hampshire | $34,570 |
| New Jersey | $34,290 |
| New Mexico | $34,240 |
| Minnesota | $33,610 |
| Illinois | $32,860 |
| Montana | $31,440 |
| Florida | $30,880 |
| Utah | $30,860 |
| North Dakota | $30,390 |
| Virginia | $30,150 |
| Delaware | $30,060 |
| Missouri | $29,810 |
| Wisconsin | $29,670 |
| Indiana | $29,340 |
| Michigan | $29,290 |
| Nevada | $29,140 |
| Idaho | $29,110 |
| Tennessee | $29,030 |
| Nebraska | $28,860 |
| Kansas | $28,800 |
| Kentucky | $28,570 |
| Texas | $28,520 |
| North Carolina | $28,480 |
| South Carolina | $28,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,330 |
| Ohio | $28,230 |
| Georgia | $27,940 |
| Iowa | $27,930 |
| Wyoming | $27,560 |
| Arkansas | $27,180 |
| South Dakota | $26,870 |
| Oklahoma | $26,210 |
| Virgin Islands | $25,940 |
| West Virginia | $23,870 |
| Alabama | $22,420 |
| Louisiana | $22,100 |
| Mississippi | $21,760 |
| Guam | $21,350 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,150 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for nannies vary by region. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $37,475 | 11.9% | 0.74 |
| New England | $36,760 | 6.2% | 1.37 |
| Middle Atlantic | $34,591 | 17.6% | 1.26 |
| Rocky Mountains | $33,915 | 4.7% | 1.29 |
| Great Lakes | $30,393 | 12.0% | 0.91 |
| Plains States | $29,990 | 9.6% | 1.59 |
| Southwest | $29,122 | 12.3% | 1.04 |
| Southeast | $27,979 | 25.4% | 1.15 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Nannies
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | FL | $47,730 | 1,440 |
| Ocala, FL | FL | $44,990 | 440 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $44,970 | 5,760 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $43,640 | 2,440 |
| Boulder, CO | CO | $42,730 | 830 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $40,180 | 2,220 |
| Modesto, CA | CA | $39,610 | 490 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | CA | $39,460 | 610 |
Top Industries Employing Nannies
The largest employers of nannies work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 315,010 | $31,000 |
| Educational Services | 118,900 | $35,460 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 32,340 | $31,470 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 29,790 | $27,920 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 9,710 | $37,140 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 800 | $35,290 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 790 | $32,640 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 660 | $37,440 |
Below are examples of industries where nannies work:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of nannies tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Physical Proximity
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Contact With Others
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
Education and Training
Entry-level nannies positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare (Primary-Long)
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers (Primary-Short)
- Healthcare Social Workers (Supplemental)
- Social and Human Service Assistants (Primary-Long)
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (Primary-Short)
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education (Supplemental)
- Special Education Teachers, Preschool (Supplemental)
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for nannies typically earn programs in:
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
3 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 39-9011.01 (Childcare Workers).
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