Nannies

Nannies spend their days assisting and caring for children by planning meals, organizing educational play, doing laundry, and driving children to activities. They must establish strong interpersonal relationships with both children and parents, communicating regularly to ensure everyone is aligned on schedules and discipline. The job requires significant physical activity, creative thinking, and the ability to make quick decisions when problems arise.

People in this role need strong skills in active listening, social perceptiveness, and monitoring to keep children safe and engaged. Sincerity, empathy, dependability, and self-control are vital work styles for managing daily challenges. Nannies use knowledge of psychology, education, and public safety to foster a secure and enriching environment. This career strongly appeals to individuals with social interests who enjoy helping others and building meaningful connections.

To enter this career, candidates typically need a high school diploma. Most preparation involves some on-the-job training or prior experience caring for children. While a college degree is not required, students interested in this path often major in human development, family studies, and related services.

To enhance their qualifications and demonstrate expertise, nannies can pursue voluntary professional credentials. The US Nanny Association offers certifications such as the Certified Nanny and Childcare Provider and the Certified Newborn and Infant Care Professional. These credentials show parents that a nanny has specialized knowledge in child safety, development, and infant care.

The median annual pay for nannies is $34,980, which is based on data for the broader group of childcare workers. The lowest 10% of earners in this group make less than $24,260, while the highest 10% earn more than $46,010.

Overall employment is projected to decline by -2% from 2025 to 2035. Despite this slight decrease in total jobs, the field still expects 150,300 openings each year as workers transfer to other occupations or retire.