Au Pair Salary Guide: Easy Breakdown for Families and Au Pairs
At The Au Pair Club, we provide guidelines for fair pay based on hourly rates. These salary recommendations reflect take-home pay, meaning what the au pair earns after taxes.
Au Pair Salaries as well as Bro Pair Salaries are also dependent on the level of experience and qualifications, so more experienced au pairs may command higher rates.
Remember, while we help match au pairs and families, we are not the employers, and these are just guidelines.
Monthly Salary Breakdown
Your monthly salary depends on the number of hours worked each day, Monday to Friday as well as your level of experience.
For 5 to 8 Hours a Day at R105 per hour:
- 8 hours each day: R18,100 month
- 7 hours each day: R15,800 month
- 6.5 hours each day: R14,700 month
- 6 hours each day: R13,500 month
- 5.5 hours each day: R12,500 month
- 5 hours each day: R11,300 month
For 3.5 to 4.5 Hours a Day at R108 per hour:
- 4.5 hours each day: R10,500 month
- 4 hours each day: R9,300 month
- 3.5 hours each day: R8,150 month
For 2.5 to 3 Hours a Day at R118 per hour:
- 3 hours each day: R7,600 month
- 2.5 hours each day: R6,350 month
Example Calculation
If an au pair works 5 hours a day at R105 per hour for the month:
- The Monthly Salary would be = R105 x 5 hours x 22 days (approx.)
- Total = R11,375
Hourly Rates for Part-Time Au Pairs
For au pairs who work less than 2.5 hours a day, here are the hourly rates:
- 2 hours a day (10 hours a week): R5,200 a month
- Hourly Rate (Monday to Friday): R120 an hour
- Weekends & Public Holidays: R125 an hour
- Stay-over Rate: R300 a night
Additional Services and Rates
Some au pairs offer extra services like tutoring or night shifts.
Below are standard rates:
- Driving only (short trips): R240 a trip
- Tutors: R300 an hour
- Facilitators: R180 an hour
- Night Nurse: R770 a night
Extra Pay During School Holidays
During school holidays, au pairs often work extra hours. Here’s what they can expect to earn for those additional hours:
- 3–4 extra hours a day: R1,265 – R1,685
- 5–6 extra hours a day: R1,925 – R2,310
Special Circumstances
Sometimes, au pairs are needed for extra help during busy periods (like early school exams or caring for sick children at home).
Special Circumstances Rate: R4,000 a month
Petrol Reimbursement
Important:
Au Pair Petrol reimbursement would be in addition to the salary each month.
This only applies for distances travelled while transporting children during working hours – NOT for commuting to and from work.
If the family provides a vehicle for the au pair to use during working hours, they would not need to reimburse for petrol, as the cost would already be covered by the provided vehicle.
Learn more about Au Pair Petrol and how to run your calculations.
FAQs
Q: Can au pairs ask for a raise?
- Yes, raises can be discussed during annual reviews or if the au pair takes on additional responsibilities.
Q: What happens if an au pair works overtime?
- Any work beyond agreed hours should be compensated at the normal hourly rate or higher, based on prior agreement.
How to Handle Salary Discussions
- For Families: Discuss your family’s needs upfront and agree on a schedule that works for both parties. Consider whether your au pair will need to work extra hours during school holidays or offer special services like tutoring.
- For Au Pairs: Always talk about your salary before signing a contract. Make sure you understand if extra hours are expected during holidays or if there’s potential for bonuses or raises.
Fair Pay Equals Happy Au Pairs and Happy Families
At The Au Pair Club, we believe in ensuring both families and au pairs have a clear understanding of salary expectations. Our salary guidelines aim to make sure au pairs are compensated fairly for their hard work while helping families budget effectively.
