Running a household can often feel like a full time job. There’s laundry to fold and dishes to wash, groceries to buy, appointments to book and extracurricular activities to drive to — how do busy families find the time to get it all done? The truth is, some actually delegate those tasks to a household manager.
If you’ve never heard of one, you’re not alone. But what is a house manager, exactly? Do they differ from a cleaning service, a sitter or a nanny — or are they some kind of magical combination of all three? Don’t worry, we’ve got those answers and more.
If you’re finding yourself running around with nary a moment for yourself, you might want to consider looking into one for your family. And if you’re getting close to being an empty nester (or simply looking to earn some good money and happen to have great organizational skills), you might be wondering if this could be a potential role you could fill. Whatever the case, here’s what you need to know about household managers.
What is a household manager?
Put simply, a household manager is an employee who helps your household run smoother, managing the daily tasks you don’t have time or energy for.
“Household managers have excellent judgment regarding household maintenance and management, including hiring and managing service people, and providing direction to other household staff,” says Kate Weeger, estate staffing team manager at Town & Country Resources, a staffing agency.
“A proficient household manager will have knowledge of various smart-home technologies, high-end appliances, and finishes, as well as a strong eye for detail,” she adds. Weeger says household managers typically work in larger homes — between 3,500 to 10,000 square feet and above — or ones with complex needs, though anyone can hire one.
“The scope of work is always a conversation between the family and the house manager, ensuring clarity and alignment from the start.”
— Kelly Hubbell, founder and CEO, Sage Haus
What does the house manager do?
“The role is highly customizable to each family’s specific requirements,” says Kelly Hubbell, founder and CEO of Sage Haus, which helps busy families connect with household staff.
Standard household manager duties may include:
- Tidying (but not necessarily deep cleaning).
- Managing laundry.
- Running errands (e.g. grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning, etc.).
- Coordinating and scheduling appointments.
- Managing other staff (lawn care workers, sitters or nannies, plumbers, electricians, etc.).
- Other daily household needs.
“The scope of work is always a conversation between the family and the house manager, ensuring clarity and alignment from the start,” says Hubbell. For example, she says some families might need help with child-related tasks, like packing lunches or doing school drop-offs and pick-ups. Additionally, Hubbell says some families might want help with things like meal prep or even organizing spaces.
“For tasks beyond traditional house management, like deep cleaning or extensive childcare, these should be discussed upfront and compensated accordingly,” she says.
What is a typical household manager salary?
According to our experts, a household manager salary depends on a number of factors, including location, job responsibilities and prior experience. The experts note that house managers can expect to make anywhere from $50,000 to $90,000 per year in smaller markets, to upwards of $150,000 per year in larger markets or if they have highly specialized skills.
For example, for a full-time household manager in the San Francisco Bay area, Weeger says full-time salaries might reasonably begin at $100,000 annually, with an hourly rate between $40 per hour for a candidate with one year of experience and $65 per hour for someone with over five years’ experience.
Meanwhile, Weeger adds, someone in a smaller market and/or with little experience might start their rate at $20-30 per hour.
Where can I find a household manager?
Find a household manager.
“Finding the right house manager is about aligning skills and personality with your family’s needs,” says Hubbell.
She adds that while general job boards can be a great place to start, it can often feel overwhelming. In lieu of this, both she and Weeger recommend using more localized staffing services where candidates come fully vetted. This way, clients can find house manager candidates whose skill sets match perfectly with their needs.
“Our clients greatly appreciate our attention to detail with background checks and reference calls,” says Weeger. “We have their best interest in mind in bringing them the most likely match for them.”
For families that prefer to do the searching themselves, though, Hubbell recommends simply being clear and specific in job postings and also leveraging personal networks for recommendations.
“It’s less about formal education and more about having the right mindset and ability to support families in a dynamic way.”
— Kelly Hubbell
How can I become a household manager?
“Many household managers transition into this role from service-oriented positions, such as nannies, executive assistants or hospitality roles,” says Hubbell. She adds that characteristics of a successful household manager include:
- Strong organizational skills.
- Adaptability.
- Excellent communication.
- A proactive attitude.
Hubbell says having experience in project management, child care or even event planning can also set you apart from other candidates.
“It’s less about formal education and more about having the right mindset and ability to support families in a dynamic way,” she says. That said, she says her company plans to launch a course and certification for those interested in becoming house managers.
For those ready to start the job search, Care.com is a great place to find house manager positions. Additionally, Weeger recommends keeping an updated LinkedIn profile, posting a resume on Craigslist (without your address listed) and posting on NextDoor.
“(Let) friends and family know you are interested in getting into this line of work if they know someone to refer you to,” says Weeger. “Word-of-mouth referrals are how many candidates tell me they got their start. Households that opt to do their own vetting tend to [be] smaller scale homes and have good opportunities for growth within the industry.”
The final word on household managers
House managers fill an essential role in the households of many, including Hubbell, who says having one for over three years now has been “life changing.” It’s also a great way to earn money, and is a well-paid career path that can be eased into from a number of starting points.
“While I haven’t formally worked as a house manager, I’ve managed my own household, which gives me a deep appreciation for everything house managers handle,” says Hubbell. “In many ways, I’ve done everything that my current house manager now helps me with, and having that support has been invaluable.”
