Whether you've been a nanny before or are looking into being a nanny, there are certain things you should know before making any decisions. A question most nannies have is what to expect in terms of salary and how to determine what the salary should be for the job.

Nanny salaries vary greatly depending on the following:

• City you live in
• Your job requirements
• Years of experience
• Your educational background
• What you were making at your last job
• Number of children you will be caring for
• Number of hours you will be working
• Whether or not the job is live-in or out
• Whether or not their is housekeeping, laundry, errands or cooking involved
• Whether or not benefits are offered

Here is an average of what to expect for the care of 1-2 children.

18-20 yrs old with less than 2 years of experience $9-$12/hr
21 yrs or older with over 2-5 years of experience $12-$15
5+ years experience, a childcare related degree or equivalent $15-$20/hr

For salaried jobs:

Full Time, 40-50 hours per week, 1-2 children $480-$750/wk  (average-$600/week)
Part Time, 20-30 hours per week, 1-2 children $240-$450/wk (average-$345/week)

For any more than 2 children, you should be paid and additional $2-$3 per hour or an additional minimum of $100 wk should be added to your salary.

To avoid misunderstandings, make sure you know if the take home is gross or net and ask what deductions, if any, will be made.  If your employer is offering you a net wage, be very specific as to whether they are ONLY paying social security/medicare taxes for you (so you would then be responsible for Federal and state income taxes) OR whether the net includes them paying for all nanny income taxes. You may wish to consult a nanny tax company for advice in these areas. In addition, don't forget that you are subject to Federal (and generally state) minimum wage rules.

It is reasonable to expect to be paid every week (or biweekly). A full time nanny will expect to be paid for the year (52 weeks) even if the family takes vacation or holidays without them. Families can pay the nanny in cash, by personal check or through a reputable payroll service (direct deposit is very common).