Nanny: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

Median pay

$34,980

BLS May 2025

Employed in the U.S.

518,910

BLS May 2025

Preparation

Job Zone 1-2 of 5

very little to some preparation

Most common education

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

60% of workers

Data Government data groups this job as Nannies (O*NET-SOC 39-9011.01; BLS series “Childcare Workers”). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Instruct children in safe behavior, such as seeking adult assistance when crossing the street and avoiding contact with unsafe objects.
2. Remove hazards and develop appropriate boundaries and rules to create a safe environment for children.
3. Perform first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when required.
4. Instruct and assist children in the development of health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet behavior.
5. Regulate children's rest periods and nap schedules.
6. Teach and perform age-appropriate activities, such as lap play, reading, and arts and crafts, to encourage intellectual development of children.
7. Help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children.
8. Model appropriate social behaviors and encourage concern for others to cultivate development of interpersonal relationships and communication skills.

Telework available

less than 0.5%

of workers had the ability to telework

Workday sitting

30.1%

mean share of the day required to sit

Most common strength level

Medium

63.1% of workers

Can pause work

9.0%

of workers could take short, unscheduled breaks

Self-paced workload

less than 0.5%

of workers set their own workload

Employer-changed schedules

30.0%

of workers had schedules changed by the employer week to week

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey. Estimates are preliminary; ranges are shown as published.

1. Social assistance31.2% of all jobs in this occupation · -2.7% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $34,050
2. Private households16.7% of all jobs in this occupation · -2.8% projected change here 2025–35
3. Educational services; state, local, and private12.7% of all jobs in this occupation · +0.4% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $38,250
4. Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations8.2% of all jobs in this occupation · +2.6% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $33,410
5. Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries3.0% of all jobs in this occupation · +8.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $29,450
6. Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals1.3% of all jobs in this occupation · +3.9% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $35,940

Sources: BLS 2025–35 National Employment Matrix (share of the occupation's jobs, projected change) and BLS OEWS May 2025 industry estimates (mean wage). Different industry estimates are not a pay forecast for any person.

Knowledge areas: English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Psychology, Education and Training, Public Safety and Security.

• Educational softwareComputer based training software
• Microsoft ExcelSpreadsheet softwareHot technology
• Microsoft WordWord processing softwareHot technology
• Scheduling softwareCalendar and scheduling software
• Web browser softwareInternet browser software

Also called: Family Assistant, Family Manager, Governess, House Manager, Household Manager.