SOC 6116 Caring personal service occupations

Nannies and au pairs Salary

Median salary £22,955 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £23,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For nannies and au pairs, £38,447 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -2.0% versus the national average.

About this role

Nannies and au pairs provide childcare within family homes, looking after children's daily needs, planning activities, preparing meals and supporting children's development and wellbeing in a domestic setting.

Key responsibilities

Caring for children's physical and emotional needs
Planning and delivering age-appropriate activities and outings
Preparing children's meals and maintaining routines
Transporting children to school, activities and appointments
Managing household tasks related to childcare

Qualifications and entry routes

CACHE, BTEC or equivalent childcare qualifications are preferred by many families. Paediatric first aid and DBS check are standard requirements. Ofsted registration may be required for some arrangements. Au pairs typically arrange through agencies.

Career outlook

Steady demand from families, particularly dual-income households. Experienced nannies with qualifications and references command strong salaries, especially in London.

Key skills

Childcare expertise Activity planning Communication with children Reliability Discretion

Common industries

Private families
Nanny agencies
Nanny shares
Maternity nursing
Temporary childcare

Data coverage

SOC code 6116

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 11,000

Median Salary

£22,955

Mean Salary

£26,876

Jobs (000s)

11k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

Median: £22,955

P10: --P25: --Median: £23kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Mid Level

£22,955

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +36.3%Real growth: +10.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£22,955

Full-time Only

£38,447

Full-time premium: +£15,492

Nannies and au pairs salary: common questions

How much do nannies and au pairs earn in the UK?

Nannies and au pairs earn a median of £38,447 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £38,447 a good salary in the UK?

For nannies and au pairs, £38,447 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -2.0% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for nannies and au pairs?

Entry-level nannies and au pairs typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £24,628, though this varies by employer and region.

Have nannies and au pairs salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median nannies and au pairs pay has risen from £24,874 to £38,447 — +55% in cash terms, or +25% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).