This is probably the most common query asked by employers and potential employers. Each Nanny/Housekeeper/Au Pair is different and brings with her a different set of skills, experience and personality.
Each household has their own budget, and what they can afford in terms of paying a person that they hire.
In terms of salaries that are being paid, these are the figures based on candidates we have interviewed and placed over the last year which may give you a basic guideline.
Char
Her focus is on housekeeping, cleaning and keeping an organised home. She would work for one day or several days per week, but not the full five days. She is paid a daily rate depending on the amount of days she works.
Expected salary range: R160.00 – R250.00 per day
Char’s often have erratic work histories, because of the nature of what they do. The biggest issue is that you may have someone working for you who earns 40% of her possible salary, and she is not able to get other chars to fill her week. Chars are always available, often are referred from friend to friend, and often struggle to find full time employment.
Housekeeper or Domestic Help
Her focus is on housekeeping, cleaning and keeping an organised home. In some instances this will include feeding and looking after dogs/cats and birds – but this differs from home to home. A housekeeper may be responsible for cooking, making up the shopping lists, and ensuring that the house is always in order. She may be sleep in, or sleep out.
Expected salary range: R3 200.00 – R4 000.00
In some instances a candidate may have a driver’s licence, and have cooking experience gained in an up market home, and maybe experience working in a guest house or hotel – she would generally be older (closer to 40) and her salary may then move into the R3 800.00 – R4 500.00 range.
Nanny
Her focus is on childcare – she would have a completed First Aid course or CPR qualification. A nanny often fills the role of housekeeper and is responsible to keep the house clean and organised during the day. Depending on the amount and age of the children in her care, will dictate how much time she has available for housekeeping.
Nannies who look after newborns, may require the assistance of a char housekeeper when the baby is very small, or over certain periods when balancing the care of a child against housekeeping.
In many instances she would have completed additional courses or certificates in child care and educational stimulation. It is important that her personality and “presence” fits in with you and your children as she will be a huge component in your children’s lives. In some cases Nannies have driver’s licences, but it is definitely the exception.
Expected salary range: R3 500.00 – R4 500.00
Nannies often prepare meals and snacks for the children they look after. They are not gourmet chefs, but are able to prepare 3 – 5 simple dishes for children. The Nanny’s experience level and personality needs to be carefully weighed up against what the requirements are of the children in her care.
Au Pair
Her focus is on childcare – the key difference between a Nanny and an Au Pair, is that an Au Pair has a driver’s licence and a vehicle. An au pair may do light housekeeping focussed around the child in her care, she will seldom tackle general housekeeping.
Au Pairs are usually requested for slightly older children who need to be dropped off and collected from a school outside of walking range. An au pair would ferry children to extra-murals, and assist children with homework.
Expected salary range: R8 000.00 – R16 000.00
Additional costs to consider: The employer will often be required to cover the travelling expenses of the candidate. Train tickets are usually R120.00 per month, and a taxi trip may cost R8.00 – R10.00 one way. 4
On average travelling costs per day will be between R20.00 and R40.00 depending on how many taxi’s the candidate needs to take to get and from work.
All these figures vary from candidate to candidate, and should not be used as the ABSOLUTE salary range of this sector.
Happy Helpers Nanny Agency 
Very useful info, thanks. I wonder if figures also vary regionally – is there a joburg average that you know of? I am happy to say we pay higher than your range, but then our nanny/housekeeper is amazing and my hope is if she obtains her drivers license she may graduate into an au pair role in a few years’ time. X
I do think there is probably a variation depending on the province. Unfortunately I do not know the averages for the rest of the country. These figures are based on candidates I interview, candidates I place, and references we check in the Western Cape.
It would be interesting to see ones for the other provinces.