There’s no two ways about it: Child care is expensive. From nannies to daycare to after-school babysitters, parents are shelling out beaucoup bucks for care. And, not-so-spoiler alert, these costs are only continuing to rise.
One unique option that’s both cost-effective and oft-overlooked is an au pair. Different from nannies and babysitters, “au pairs are governed under the Department of State Bureau of Cultural Affairs,” explains Michelle LaRowe, lead trainer at Global Nanny Training. “Through the au pair program, individuals who meet program requirements [read: have been vetted] engage in an intercultural exchange program with an American host family.”
Wondering if an au pair is right for your family? Here’s a breakdown of what an au pair does, asking pay rates for au pairs and more.
What is an au pair?
Au pairs are 18-26 year-old young adults from around the world who, through an agency, come to live with American families, explains Jean Quinn, director and senior vice president at Au Pair in America. In exchange for a rewarding cultural experience, as well as room, board and a weekly stipend, au pairs provide live-in child care assistance for their host family.
“An au pair offers up to 45 hours per week of child care assistance and lives with their host family for one year with the option to extend for up to an additional 12 months,” notes Quinn. “All au pairs have child care experience and are thoroughly screened before arriving in the U.S.”
“The U.S. au pair program,” Quinn continues, “is regulated by the Department of State and all au pairs arrive in the U.S. with J-1 visas.”
What is the difference between an au pair and a nanny?
It’s important to note that while au pairs do provide child care, they do not provide the same level of care or have the same level of training as a professional nanny. The scope of a nanny’s job is to provide care that focuses on the overall well-being and development of children. Au pairs, on the other hand, provide more “here and now” care (more on this shortly).
“While the au pair program has a child care component, au pairs are not an alternative to nannies,” says LaRowe. “The goal of the au pair program is to give individuals an opportunity to live with an American family and experience American life. In exchange, the hosts receive child care from individuals who typically have limited child care training and work experience.”
It is worth mentioning, though, au pairs provide exposure to cultures and languages that kids may not otherwise experience.
How much does it cost for an au pair?
Au pairs can be a more cost-effective child care option for families, but they’re not free; and while the weekly proposed stipend for an au pair is often less than the cost of, say, a nanny, there are other upfront costs.
Using Au Pair in America as an example: “In 2024, the traditional au pair program fee is $10,085 annually with a matching fee of $475,” says Quinn. “Host families are required to provide a $500 educational allowance for their au pair to attend an American college, as well as pay a minimum weekly stipend of $195.75 to their au pair.”
Another agency, Cultural Care Au Pair, has a program fee of $10,595, a $75 registration fee, a $450 processing fee and a $500 educational allowance, as well as the weekly stipend.
Yet another agency, Go Au Pair, has families pay au pairs $10,679 annually (which includes the $500 education allowance), and an overall agency fee of $9,595. Together, this comes out to $20,274.
Cost comparison of au pair programs
In addition to the below costs, host families also need to provide food, room and board and potentially additional auto insurance if the au pair will be using the family car.
| Annual program or agency fee | One-time fees | Education allowance | Weekly stipend (paid to au pair) | Annual minimum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au Pair in America | $10,085/yr | $475 matching fee | $500 | $195.75/wk minimum ($10,179/year) | $21,239 |
| Cultural Care Au Pair* | $10,595/yr | $75 registration fee $450 processing fee | $500 | $195.75/wk minimum ($10,179/year) | $21,799 |
| Go Au Pair* | $9,595/yr | $250 new customer setup fee | $500 | $195.75//wk minimum ($10,179/year) | $20,524 |
How does the cost of au pair compare to the cost of a nanny?
According to Care.com’s 2024 Cost of Care Report, parents posted rates for full-time nannies that average $766 per week or $39,832 annually. So compared to the proposed annual minimum au pair costs outlined above, hosting an au pair could cost significantly less than hiring a nanny — and their prices are fairly standard. But again, nannies generally have more training and provide a higher quality of care.
“Unlike traditional live-in or live-out nannies, whose costs can significantly vary based on experience, location and hours needed, au pair programs provide a more standardized financial commitment that covers a wide array of benefits,” Quinn notes. “Also, program fees are per family, not per child, and background checks, as well as CPR and Red Cross training are included.”
What does an au pair do? Common responsibilities and duties
According to Quinn, an “au pair’s role is thoughtfully designed to combine child care responsibilities with the opportunity for cultural immersion.” Typical au pair responsibilities include:
- Waking the children, assisting with dressing and bathing.
- Sharing diverse cultural perspectives and educational experiences.
- Playing with children.
- Preparing meals for the children.
- Light housekeeping necessitated by the children’s activities, such as making their beds and doing their laundry.
- Driving children to and from school and outings requested by the family.
- Staying home with children when they are absent from school.
A note on infant care: Au pairs are not permitted to care for infants 3 months old and younger unless supervised by a parent.
How does the au pair program work?
The process begins with both potential au pairs and host families applying through a U.S. Department of State-approved sponsoring organization, Quinn notes. “The agency is responsible for ensuring applicants meet program requirements, providing au pairs with proper training and screening and matching them with compatible host families,” he says.
“Au pairs agree to a 12-month commitment, which has the potential to be extended for an additional 6, 9 or 12 months,” he continues. “They provide up to 45 hours of child care support each week. In return, they receive a weekly stipend, accommodations and meals and must participate in educational courses at a U.S. post-secondary institution.”
There’s a detailed application process for host families, as well, including background checks, interviews and home inspections, in order to guarantee a safe, educational environment for the au pair.
Each au pair agency works a little differently, but Quinn notes many companies, including Au Pair in America, provide continuous support to both au pairs and families, including 24-hour emergency assistance, as well as monthly check-ins.
Through this, he notes, “both parties are provided with mutual understanding, respect and lasting connections between au pairs and their American host families.”
How many hours can an au pair work?
According to regulatory limits set by the U.S. Department of State and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, au pairs may provide up to 10 hours a day/45 hours a week of child care.
What should families consider before hiring an au pair?
Au pairs, no doubt, come with a number of benefits, but before hosting one — and before making an au pair your family’s main source of child care — there are several key factors to consider.
Expectations for child care. “Reflect on your child care needs,” says Quinn. “It’s important to have a clear understanding of your expectations and to communicate them effectively to ensure they align with what an au pair can offer.” In other words: If you’re looking for someone who’s going to provide ongoing educational activities, regular carpooling, elaborate meals and more, an au pair may not be the right choice.
Cultural openness. “Welcoming an au pair means inviting someone from another country, with potentially very different customs and language, into your home,” says Quinn. “Take into account your family’s willingness to embrace these differences and integrate new cultural traditions into your everyday routine.”
Lack of privacy. And to that point, keep in mind, similar to a live-in nanny, an au pair will be living with you, which cuts down on family privacy and alone time.
Financial considerations. Yes, it may be more cost-effective than many other forms of child care, but again, hosting an au pair isn’t without cost. “Hosting an au pair involves specific financial obligations, such as a weekly stipend, educational allowance and covering room and board,” says Quinn. “Familiarize yourself with the full scope of financial requirements. Families may also choose to have their au pairs drive, which requires the au pair to be covered under their insurance. In addition, families should try and include their au pairs in family activities as often as possible.”
Program rules and requirements. An au pair program is government regulated, which means there are protocols and policies that need to be followed. “This includes work hours, required educational components, the au pair’s visa conditions and more,” explains Quinn. “Families should also understand that the ‘spirit of the program’ is cultural exchange and au pairs are looking to become part of the family for their time in the U.S.”
The bottom line
Au pairs don’t come to the U.S. to enter the child care workforce, LaRowe notes, so don’t expect the same type of care nannies provide. On the flip side, though, they provide a truly unique educational experience for everyone in the family for less money than many other forms of child care.
“Au pairs are a unique blend of caregiver, cultural ambassador and extended family member,” Quinn says. “They’re eager to learn about American culture and share their own culture with their host family. It’s a mutually beneficial and nurturing relationship.”
