Nannies
SOC code 39-9011 · O*NET-SOC 39-9011.01 · Little to some preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Nannies pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$34,980
a year
Hourly
$16.82
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$35,030
$16.84 per hour
Middle 50%
$29,360 – $38,570
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$24,260 – $46,010
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
518,910
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Childcare Workers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $24,260
- $11.66/hr
- 25th percentile
- $29,360
- $14.12/hr
- Median percentile
- $34,980
- $16.82/hr
- 75th percentile
- $38,570
- $18.55/hr
- 90th percentile
- $46,010
- $22.12/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-3%
Declining
991,600
jobs in 2024
962,400
projected for 2034
About 29,200 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a nanny do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a nanny
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 60% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)60%
- Some College Courses16%
- Post-Secondary Certificate8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree8%
Common questions
How much does a nanny earn?
The national median is $34,980 a year. The full range runs from $24,260 at the 10th percentile to $46,010 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a nanny without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is nanny in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Psychology3.4/5
- Education and Training3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
- Sociology and Anthropology2.7/5
- Transportation2.7/5
- Medicine and Dentistry2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Persuasion, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Time Management.