Live-in nanny jobs in NYC: duties, pay and how to find them

A live-in nanny cares for children and lives in accommodation provided by the family. The arrangement can reduce commuting and housing expenses, but a good offer needs clear working hours, fair pay and genuine time off.

Before accepting a position, check three things: what you will do, how every working hour will be paid, and what accommodation you will receive.

Start with the job listings on TBI Listings, then compare each offer against the checklist below.

What does a live-in nanny do?

The duties depend on the children’s ages and the family’s routine. A childcare role may include:

• Feeding, changing and settling babies.
• Preparing children’s meals and snacks.
• Planning age-appropriate games, reading and outdoor activities.
• Taking children to school, appointments and activities.
• Supporting bath and bedtime routines.
• Washing children’s clothes and tidying their play areas.
• Updating parents about meals, sleep and the day’s activities.

Agree on the scope before starting. Cleaning the entire home, cooking for all adults, caring for pets and running unrelated errands should be discussed separately.

A combined nanny and housekeeper position can involve substantially more work. Ask how the family expects you to manage household tasks while supervising children, especially infants or several young children.

Does living with the family mean working around the clock?

Living in the home does not mean being available 24 hours a day. Your agreement should identify working hours, overnight responsibilities and periods when you are completely off duty.

The US Department of Labor distinguishes between being available for work and being fully relieved of duties. If you must supervise a sleeping child or remain ready to provide care, that time can count as work. A quiet afternoon is not automatically an unpaid break.

Clarify:

• When does each shift start and finish?
• Who takes over when your shift ends?
• Are evenings and weekends included?
• Who responds when a child wakes at night?
• Can you leave the home during your time off?
• How are schedule changes recorded and paid?

Sleep time has specific rules. Where it can legally be excluded from paid hours, interruptions to provide care must still be counted. Do not accept a blanket arrangement stating that all overnight care is unpaid.

How much do live-in nanny jobs in NYC pay?

Pay depends on experience, the number and ages of children, working hours, overnight care, travel and additional household duties.

As one advertised example, an Upper East Side family seeking an experienced nanny offered 35–40 per hour plus overtime and was open to a live-in arrangement. This is an individual vacancy, not a citywide average or a guaranteed rate.

Minimum wage and overtime

From January 1, 2026, the general minimum wage in New York City is $17 per hour. This is the legal baseline, rather than a recommended rate for an experienced nanny.

Under New York State’s domestic worker rules, workers who live in their employer’s home are generally entitled to overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate after 44 hours in a week.

The employment arrangement matters. If an agency actually employs you, rather than simply introducing you to a family, federal rules may require overtime after 40 hours. Occasional overnight stays also do not automatically establish live-in status.

Example: comparing a weekly offer

Suppose a nanny is directly employed by a family, qualifies as a live-in worker and earns $25 per hour for 50 working hours per week:

This example assumes no lodging or meal credits and no work on the designated rest day.

When a listing offers a fixed weekly amount, ask how many hours it covers and how overtime is calculated. A weekly salary does not remove overtime obligations.

Can accommodation replace wages?

Do not assume that providing a room allows the family to choose any cash wage. New York permits specific meal or lodging credits toward minimum wage under applicable rules. Ask for a written explanation of any credit or deduction.

Compare gross pay, actual working hours, lawful deductions and accommodation together.

What accommodation should you check?

Before moving in, view the accommodation in person or through a live video tour.

Confirm the actual work location. A listing described as a New York position may include stays on Long Island, in Westchester, Connecticut or the Hamptons. Ask about transport and accommodation whenever the family travels.

What rights should you know about?

New York’s Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights provides covered workers with:

• A 24-hour rest period each week.
• Overtime pay if they voluntarily work on their designated rest day.
• Three paid days of rest each year after one year with the same employer.

NYC also has protected time off requirements. Ask for the current written notice of your rights and an explanation of how leave is recorded. Additional vacation, holiday pay and other benefits should be agreed separately.

New York’s guidance states that domestic workers must receive weekly pay and a written statement showing hours, gross wages and deductions. Keep your own record of shifts, night interruptions and payments. State wage protections apply regardless of immigration status; they do not themselves grant work authorization.

How to prepare a strong application

Create a short résumé focused on childcare:

• The ages of children you have cared for.
• Your experience with infants, siblings or multiple children.
• Previous duties and length of employment.
• Languages you speak and your level of English.
• Relevant first aid or CPR training.
• Driving experience, if applicable.
• Availability, preferred schedule and willingness to travel.
• References who have agreed to be contacted.

Describe practical skills. Preparing bottles, managing school pickups and following a toddler’s sleep routine tell a family more than general claims about being responsible.

If English is limited, ask what language the family uses and how you would communicate with schools or emergency services. A shared home language can help, but the communication requirements still need to match the role.

Where to find live-in nanny jobs in NYC

Browse the NYC nanny and childcare vacancies on TBI Listings. Search for terms such as live-in nanny, nanny with accommodation and childcare, and check the location and posting date.

You can also consider specialist nanny agencies and referrals from families you know. Before applying through an agency, clarify its role, any fees and who will be your employer.

For each listing, ask:

1. How many children are there, and how old are they?
2. What are the exact weekly hours?
3. What is the gross hourly rate and overtime arrangement?
4. What accommodation is provided?
5. Are housekeeping, night care or travel included?
6. When does the job start, and is the vacancy still available?

Send a concise application explaining your relevant experience, availability and interest in the schedule.

What should be in the written agreement?

Before starting, put the key terms in writing:

• Childcare duties and any additional tasks.
• Regular schedule and guaranteed paid hours.
• Hourly rate, overtime rate and payday.
• Overnight care and travel arrangements.
• Accommodation, meals and any lawful deductions.
• Rest days, leave and agreed benefits.
• Notice arrangements and the process for leaving the accommodation.

If the family proposes a trial involving actual childcare, agree on its hours and pay beforehand.

A live-in position links your income and housing to the same employer. Clear terms help you assess the offer before moving in and give both sides a shared understanding of the job.