Nanny

Your Fit

Income

$32K

Preparation

Some

Growth

-2.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Nanny?

A Nanny is a childcare professional who provides personalized care and nurturing to children in a family setting. They focus on the children's basic needs, development, and early education, often becoming an integral part of the family's support system.

Sample job titles:

Family Assistant, House Manager, Household Manager, Nanny

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Nanny.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Nanny earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$23K per year	$28K per year	$32K per year	$37K per year	$45K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $17K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Nanny do?

Work environment

Nannies typically work in private households, adapting to the family's schedule, which may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends. The environment is highly personalized and can vary greatly depending on the family's lifestyle, values, and needs. Nannies may live-in or commute to the family's home.

Quick task list

Provides care for children, including feeding, bathing, and dressing.
Organizes and engages in educational and recreational activities.
Assists with homework and school projects.
Transports children to school, appointments, and activities.
Performs light housekeeping tasks related to child care, like laundry and room tidying.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Infant and Toddler Care Specialist: Focuses on care for newborns and toddlers, specializing in developmental milestones and early education.
Special Needs Nanny: Trained to care for children with physical, developmental, or emotional special needs.
Language Immersion Nanny: Offers childcare while teaching a second language through immersion techniques.
Travel Nanny: Specializes in accompanying families on trips, adapting to various cultures and environments.
Educational Nanny: Focuses on the educational development of children, often with a background in teaching or tutoring.

Description

The role of a nanny is multifaceted and demands a range of skills, from nurturing care to educational guidance. Nannies often develop strong emotional bonds with the children they care for, contributing significantly to their developmental milestones. They need to be adaptable, as each day can bring new challenges and learning opportunities.

Effective communication skills are crucial, as nannies must collaborate with parents to ensure consistency in discipline, routines, and values. They often take on a proactive role in planning activities that are both fun and educational, aiming to support the overall wellbeing and development of the children.

This career is rewarding but also demanding, as it requires high levels of responsibility, patience, and emotional intelligence. Nannies must be equipped to handle emergencies, manage behavioral issues, and provide a safe, nurturing environment for the children in their care.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Developing deep, meaningful relationships with children and watching them grow and develop.
The joy of contributing to a child's learning and developmental milestones.
Flexibility in work hours and the opportunity for creative and autonomous caregiving.

You might make a good Nanny if you are...

Passionate about working with children and contributing to their development.
Patient, empathetic, and capable of handling challenging situations calmly.
Creative in developing educational and fun activities.
Flexible and adaptable to different family environments and schedules.
Committed to continuous learning about child development and care.

Pros:

Deeply rewarding personal connections with children.
Autonomy in daily activities and caregiving style.
Flexible work schedules, often set by mutual agreement with the family.

Cons:

Emotional and physical demands of constant caregiving.
Potentially irregular or long hours.
Lack of formal benefits and job security typically associated with employment.

How to become a Nanny

Typical education

There is no formal education requirement for nannies, but many have a high school diploma. Some families prefer nannies with post-secondary education in early childhood education or related fields, which can be 2-4 years of additional education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Child Development or Psychology to understand children's needs and behaviors.
Health and Nutrition to provide proper care and diet.
First Aid and CPR certification.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Babysitting or volunteer work involving children.
Participating in clubs or sports, developing leadership and organizational skills.
Art, music, or drama clubs to enhance creativity and expressive skills.

Preparation after high school

Consider certifications in child care, first aid, and CPR.
Seek experiences like au pair opportunities, internships in daycares, or volunteering in children's programs.
Optional: Pursue further education in early childhood education, psychology, or related fields.

More resources

International Nanny Association (INA) - Offers resources, guidance, and certification for nannies.
Care.com - A platform for finding childcare jobs and resources.
American Red Cross - Provides first aid and CPR certifications.
Childcare Education Institute - Offers online training and education for early childhood professionals.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.