Household Workers

The wages earned by household workers vary according to the kind of work performed, the number of hours worked, household and staff size, experience, and local standards of pay. Earnings vary from around $15 or more an hour in a big city to less than the minimum wage in some rural areas, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Dayworkers often get carfare and a free meal. Live-in domestics usually earn more than dayworkers and also get free room and board. However, they often work longer hours.

The DOL reports that childcare workers earned from $10.79 to $20.80 per hour (or approximately $22,450 to $43,270 a year for full-time work) in May 2023. However, some experienced workers employed in large metropolitan areas by wealthy families can earn more. Childcare workers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, for example, earned an average of $41,540 (the mean salary for all childcare workers is $32,070). Some childcare workers are provided room and board in addition to their annual salary.

According to the DOL, maids and housekeeping cleaners earned from $11.79 to $21.96 an hour in May 2023 (or approximately $24,520 to $45,680 annually for full-time work), with a median of $16.08 an hour (or $33,450 annually for full-time work).

Childcare workers earned salaries that ranged from $22,450 to $43,270 or more in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Butlers earned average salaries of $78,296 in 2024, according to PayScale.com. Earnings ranged from $44,000 to $126,000.

Most household workers work part time, or less than 35 hours per week. Because of this, most household workers do not receive fringe benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, or paid vacation time.