How much does it really cost to hire a nanny?
It's more than just the hourly rate. Pick your nanny's pay below and we'll show the total cost — including taxes — for every state.
Annual wages
$45,500/yr
See your exact employer costs
Enter your nanny's pay and state to get a personalized tax breakdown — federal, state, and everything in between.
Try the Free CalculatorWhat you actually pay on top of wages
As a household employer, you owe payroll taxes that add roughly 8–12% on top of your nanny's wages. Here's the breakdown:
Social Security
On wages up to $176,100/yr
6.2%
Medicare
On all wages — no cap
1.45%
Federal Unemployment
On the first $7,000
0.6%
State Unemployment
0.5%–12%+ by state
Varies
State unemployment (SUTA) is where costs diverge the most. States like Florida and Texas keep it low, while Washington and Alaska apply their rates to much higher wage amounts. See state-by-state tax guides
Common questions about nanny costs
We handle the math — you just pay your nanny
NannyKeeper calculates every paycheck, tracks your tax obligations, and reminds you before deadlines. All for $10/month.
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