Domestic Service FAQs

What salaries and benefits do domestic service staff seek?

Domestic employee compensation will vary considerably between jobs of varying responsibility and employees with a wide range of skills and experience. This is no different from jobs in industry. That said, 4HomeHelp can provide the following guidelines:

• Housekeeper: $15 - $25 per hour or $35K and $50K per year, plus benefits, for full time employment.
• Maid: $10 - $20 per hour or $30K - $40K per year for full time employment.
• Household Manager: Annual compensation will range from $45K - $100K plus benefits for full time employment.
• Personal Assistant: $18 - $40 per hour, or $40K - $100K plus benefits for full time employment.

The domestic service positions described above require that the employer be registered for and pay employment taxes on the wages paid. The employer may also be required by state law to obtain worker's compensation and/or disability insurance policies. HomeWork Solutions Inc. is a recognized expert in household employment tax issues and their website, 4nannytaxes.com provides considerable guidance on this subject.

Domestics in full time employment generally expect the following benefits. If the position is a live in one, this of course is in addition to the room/board provided.

• Paid Time Off - two weeks per year.
• Sick/Personal time - 5 or more days per year.
• Paid Holidays or comp days should they be responsible to work on a holiday

The following benefits may optionally be offered, and employers find that an expanded benefits package helps them retain good staff.

• Medical Insurance - often with an employee contribution (50% is common).
• Retirement Savings - contributions to IRAs or SIMPLE plans are most common.
• Cell phones, Internet access

Benefits, with the exception of Social Security and Medicare tax reporting, are not required by law. Part time employees are generally not offered benefits. However, a formal staffed household may offer the same benefits to its full time and part time staff members.