Are Nannies Pricing Themselves Out of the Market? Let’s Talk Real Salaries!
When it comes to nanny salaries, there’s often a big gap between what nannies think they should be earning and what parents can actually afford. Many nannies set their rates based on advice from other nannies-but that doesn’t reflect the reality of the market.
As a nanny agency owner of 20 years, I chat with parents all the time about their childcare budgets, and here’s the reality - many simply can’t afford the high hourly rates that get thrown around. If a family is faced with paying £17+ per hour for a 50 hour week plus the nannies tax, penision and Ni, most will go for a nursery or childminder instead.
I love seeing nannies earn great salaries-you do an amazing job, and you absolutely deserve to be well-paid, but if you’re fixated on hourly rates, you might be unintentionally pricing yourself out of a full-time role.
So, what are parents actually paying? Let’s break it down.
The Hourly Rate Myth: Why £17+ Isn’t Always Realistic
You’ve probably heard that “the going rate is £17-18 an hour” ( for you to receive and take home) . And sure, some families do pay this especially if you have a special skill they require. But what’s often missing from the conversation is the full picture.
When a parent hires a nanny, they aren’t just paying your wage- they also cover:
Your gross salary, Employer’s National Insurance contributions, Holiday pay and pension contributions and other extras like travel and food.
Example: A 50-hour a week role at £18 an hour ( the nannies expectant take home rate) would cost a family £76,000 a year - before tax. Most parents simply can’t stretch to that
Instead of thinking in hourly rates, full-time nannies should start focusing on annual salaries - just like any other profession
Here’s a realistic guide to what London families are actually offering:
| Hours Per Week | Expected Annual Salary (Gross) | net salary ( weekly |
|---|---|---|
| 50 hours | £52,069 | £750 |
| 40 hours | £43,395 | £640 |
| 30 hours | £33,000 | £500 |
| 20 hours | £20,500 | £340 |
For part-time roles ( under 20 hours per week) , you’re more likely to get £18-£22 per hour.
Final Thoughts
Nannying is a fantastic profession, and you deserve to be paid well, But in a competitive market, realistic salary expectations will you secure a stable, well paid role rather than being stuck between short-term jobs.
So next time you are going for a role, think about how many hours the job is and adjust your rate accordingly, to reach a figure that gives you a good salary and is achievable for the family.
