The Ultimate Au Pair Salary Guide

💰 Au Pair Salaries: What You Should Pay or Earn

Are you confused about how much to pay or earn as an au pair? You’re not alone.

Finding the right balance is crucial for families who want to budget fairly, and au pairs who deserve to be paid what they’re worth. That’s why we created this guide.

At The Au Pair Club, we focus on hourly rates and take-home pay (what the au pair actually earns after deductions in South Africa). Whether you’re a family or an au pair, this guide is here to help you feel informed, confident, and supported.

💡 What Increases An Au Pair’s Salary?

Several factors can influence how much an au pair earns. Here’s a quick overview:

✅ Experience: More experienced au pairs typically earn higher hourly rates.
✅ Childcare Certificates: like Au Pair Training or a Baby Course can boost your earning potential.
✅ Au Pair Duties: If you drive, tutor, or work at night, your salary should reflect that.

🌍 International Au Pair Salary Guide

Whilst this guide is going to be focusing on the monthly salary an Au Pair can earn in South Africa, we have also put together some international au pair salary guidelines in case any South African Au Pairs want to Au Pair Abroad.

Region	Salary Estimate	Notes
South Africa	R6,350 – R30,000/month	Based on hours & experience
The UK	£800 – £1,200/month	Live-in au pair
The USA	$1,800 – $2,500/month	With agency placement
Germany	€300 – €450/month	Pocket money + accommodation

📅 Monthly Au Pair Salary in South Africa Breakdown ⤵️

The au pair salaries below are based on a 22-day work month and are grouped into different earning brackets depending on the au pair’s level of experience.

⏰ For 5 to 8 Hours a Day at R80 per hour
🤝 (New or inexperienced Au Pairs)

This rate is common for new au pairs just starting out or those without formal training.

Daily Hours	Monthly Salary
5 hours	R8,800
5.5 hours	R9,680
6 hours	R10,560
6.5 hours	R11,440
7 hours	R12,320
8 hours	R14,080

⏰ For 5 to 8 Hours a Day at R90 – R100 per hour
🤝 (Basic experience Au Pairs)

This range is typically for au pairs with some hands-on experience and/or basic certifications.

Daily Hours	Monthly Salary
5 hours	R9,350
5.5 hours	R10,285
6 hours	R11,220
6.5 hours	R12,155
7 hours	R13,090
8 hours	R14,960

⏰ For 5 to 8 Hours a Day at R120 per hour
🤝(Certified, experienced Au Pairs)

These top-tier rates are for au pairs with 2–3+ years’ experience and formal childcare training or qualifications.

Daily Hours	Monthly Salary
5 hours	R13,200
5.5 hours	R14,520
6 hours	R15,840
6.5 hours	R17,160
7 hours	R18,480
8 hours	R21,120

⏰ For Short Shifts (R108–R125/hour)

Daily Hours	Monthly Salary
4.5 hours (R108/h)	R10,500
3.5 hours (R108/h)	R8,150
2.5 hours (R118/h)	R6,350
2 hours/day (10 hrs/week)	R5,200/month

💼 Extra Services & Special Rates

Service	Rate
Driving (short trips)	R240/trip
Tutoring	R100–R300/hour
Learning facilitator	R180/hour
Night nurse (live-in)	R770/night

✨ Extra Hours During School Holidays

3–4 extra hours/day: R1,265 to R1,865/month
5–6 extra hours/day: R1,925 to R2,310/month

💰 Why Fair Pay Matters

Fair pay means better working relationships and happy homes. 😊

A fair salary = happy au pair 😊 = supported family 💖 = long-term success 🤝

🎯 How Duties and Experience Affect Pay

An au pair’s salary is not just based on how many hours they work, it also depends on what kind of work they do and how experienced they are.

More responsibilities = higher pay
More training or experience = higher hourly rate

Here’s a general guide:

Experience Level	Common Duties	Suggested Hourly Rate
New or Inexperienced	School runs, playtime, daily routines, basic homework help	R80–R90 per hour
Some Experience or Training	Toddler care, light meal prep, structured routines, homework for grades 1–6	R90–R100 per hour
Certified & Experienced	(Grade 6–12) or infant care, complex routines, managing school projects and exam prep	R120+ per hour

🧠 Homework Help Tip:

All au pairs should be able to support basic reading, spelling, or homework for young children. But helping with subjects like maths, science, or exam prep for Grade 6 to Matric usually requires more experience or tutor training, and pay should reflect that.

📌 For Families:
If your au pair is supporting academics or running full afternoon schedules, they likely belong in a higher salary bracket.

📌 For Au Pairs:
If you’ve taken on more complex duties or completed training, it’s fair to discuss a rate increase especially if you’re helping with upper-grade schoolwork.

💡 Want to understand au pair duties?
📖 Read our Full Guide to Au Pair Duties in South Africa

💬 Common Questions About Au Pair Salaries

❓ Can au pairs ask for a raise?
ℹ️ Yes! If duties increase or it’s time for a review. We suggest annual check-ins.

❓ What about overtime?
ℹ️ This should be agreed upon in advance and paid at a standard or higher hourly rate.

❓ How can au pairs earn more?
ℹ️ Au Pairs can get more certificates as they increase your value, knowledge, and confidence.

🗣️ How to Discuss Au Pair Pay

💛 For Families:

Be clear about hours, responsibilities & holidays
Get everything in writing
Review pay annually

🧡 For Au Pairs:

Ask about petrol, bonuses, and overnight duties
Confirm rate per hour + any extras
Bring up qualifications that boost your value

📋 Is Petrol Included in the Au Pair’s Salary?

No, petrol is never included or covered by an Au Pair’s Salary. Petrol reimbursement is always over and above an Au Pair’s monthly salary.

If your au pair uses their own car:

✅ Keep a logbook for km tracking
✅ Pay based on work-related km only

❌ There is no petrol reimbursement if the family provides a car
ℹ️ If you are unsure about au pair petrol or how to claim back, view our full Petrol Guide

📌 Quick Summary of SA Au Pair Salary

An au pair salary in South Africa typically ranges from R6,350 to R30,000/month, depending on hours worked, qualifications, and responsibilities. Hourly rates can vary from R80 to R125, and extra pay may apply for babysitting, tutoring, or holiday work.

🚀 Want to Join The Au Pair Club?

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More helpful links for Au Pairs & Families:

Au Pair Salaries