There are a number of different ways in which a full-time nanny can maximize her salary. Taking note of what is and is not expected in terms of duties, and making sure to charge employers for things that are not in the original nanny contract is a good way to begin to accumulate higher pay rates. Here are some other ideas that may help:

1. Retirement Plan - It is not out of line for a nanny to request positions that offer some type or retirement savings option such as a Roth IRA plan. This way, the nanny will not have to set aside money from her monthly paychecks to go into savings.
2. Vacation Pay - Every nanny should stipulate a paid vacation each year. Many employers offer their nannies vacation time off, but negotiating payment for this time off is up to the nanny.
3. Babysitting and Housekeeping - Should a nanny be asked to contribute over and beyond her contracted hours, these things should be billed to the household separately and in addition to her regular salary. This goes for any work performed for the household on the nanny’s regularly scheduled days off.
4. Travel Stipulations - Before signing a work agreement, a nanny should stipulate extra pay for traveling with a family. Technically, she is still working for the family while on vacation, even when she is not actually engaged with the children.
5. More Babies - The nanny should make it clear from the onset, that if any additional children are born into the household for which her services are offered, she should be compensated accordingly.
6. Live Out - Households who hire nannies often pay smaller salaries if the nanny lives with the family. However, if the nanny chooses to live outside of the family home, she should receive a larger salary that does not have rent deducted.
7. Insurance - Prior to signing a contract with a family, the nanny should make sure that she is not expected to use her own salary to pay for health, dental and vision insurance. This is a reasonable expectation of the family who is hiring her, and will result in a higher pay rate for the nanny.
8. Engage in Appropriate Extension Training - When a nanny takes advantage of the many different types of training seminars and childrearing classes. This enables the nanny to be higher qualified and justifies getting paid a higher salary.
9. Yearly Evaluation and Raise - Each year, families who employ nannies traditionally review their nanny’s status and job performance. If a good review of her work is given, it is not out of line for the nanny to ask for and receive a raise to a higher salary.
10. Overtime - Any hours worked in addition to regularly contracted nanny hours, should be compensated by 1-1/2 times her normal salary.

Before accepting a position, the wise nanny will make sure that her financial rights are protected. A nanny’s salary can be maximized by taking advantage of all of these tips.