Quick answer: A nanny in Palm Beach costs $25 to $30 an hour for an entry-level nanny, $30 to $45 an hour for an experienced nanny with 5+ years and strong references, and $110,000 to $200,000+ a year for a career or UHNW nanny or a rota nanny, based on The Natural Nanny Collective's 2026 placement rates. Most Palm Beach families we work with hire in the experienced or career tiers. On top of wages, plan for 7.65% employer FICA, about $42 in federal unemployment tax and up to $189 in Florida reemployment tax per nanny each year. Start your search with our family application.
Last updated October 2026 by Cassandra Harner, founder of The Natural Nanny Collective.
Palm Beach is its own kind of nanny market. Many families split the year between here and New York, Greenwich or Boston. Some arrive in November and leave after Easter. Others live in Palm Beach Gardens or Jupiter year-round and need a nanny who knows every pediatrician and swim instructor from Juno Beach to Boca. The right nanny, and the right budget, depends a lot on which of those families you are.
This guide breaks down what nannies really cost in Palm Beach County in 2026, what each level gets you, what Florida law requires of you as an employer, and how to hire well. All rates are our own. We do not use job board averages.
What each level of nanny costs and what you get
Entry-level nanny ($25 to $30 an hour): About 1 to 3 years of professional nanny experience. Solid basic care, CPR certified, reliable. A good fit for a year-round family in West Palm Beach or Jupiter with one child, a parent who is often home, or a part-time schedule.
Experienced nanny ($30 to $45 an hour, depending on experience): 5+ years with strong verified references. Runs the day on their own, manages multiple kids, handles school pickups, activities and sleep routines, and communicates like a professional. This is the starting point for most Palm Beach families who hire through us.
Career or UHNW nanny ($110,000 to $200,000+ a year): 10+ years, often with a degree in education or child development. Used to high-profile and ultra-high-net-worth homes, household staff, private aviation and split-residence living. Discretion is second nature. Common on the island, in Manalapan and in the larger estates of Jupiter Island and Wellington.
Rota nanny ($110,000 to $200,000+ a year): Two nannies rotate on and off, so your family has 24-hour care with no gaps. Popular with families who move between Palm Beach, New York and summer homes. See our rotational nanny service and our guide on how to hire a rota nanny.
Newborn care specialist ($45 to $75+ an hour): Depends on experience and number of babies. Twins and multiples cost more. Many families bring one in for the first weeks or months. More on our newborn care specialist page.
Live-in vs live-out: We pay them the same. A beautiful guest suite on Jupiter Island does not replace wages, and we never treat room and board as part of the pay.
Need more than childcare? Household managers, estate managers and private chefs run $70,000 to $180,000+ a year depending on scope. Our guide to luxury household staff roles explains who does what.
A real Palm Beach cost breakdown for 2026
Here are two examples. Your numbers will vary with hours, experience and benefits.
Example 1: Experienced live-out nanny, 45 hours a week at $40 an hour
Straight time: 40 hours x $40 = $1,600 a week
Overtime: 5 hours x $60 = $300 a week (federal law requires time and a half over 40 hours for live-out nannies)
Gross wages: $1,900 a week, or $98,800 a year with paid time off included
Employer Social Security and Medicare (7.65%): $7,558
Federal unemployment (FUTA): $42
Florida reemployment tax: $189 (2.7% initial rate on the first $7,000)
Estimated total: about $106,589 a year
Example 2: Career nanny on a $150,000 salary
Salary: $150,000
Employer FICA (7.65%): $11,475
FUTA and Florida reemployment tax: $231
Estimated total: about $161,706 a year, before benefits like health stipends, travel per diems or a bonus
Florida has no state income tax, so you do not withhold state tax from your nanny's paycheck. That keeps payroll simpler here than in New York or Massachusetts. You still withhold your nanny's share of FICA, and federal income tax if they ask you to.
Florida laws and taxes Palm Beach families need to know
Federal nanny tax threshold: If you pay a household employee $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026, you owe Social Security and Medicare taxes. You report them on Schedule H with your personal return.
FUTA: Owed if you pay $1,000 or more in any quarter. The net rate is usually 0.6% on the first $7,000, or $42.
Florida reemployment tax: Domestic employers are covered once they pay $1,000 in cash wages in a calendar quarter. New employers start at 2.7% on the first $7,000 per employee.
Overtime: Florida follows the federal rule. Live-out nannies get time and a half over 40 hours a week. Federal law treats live-in nannies differently, but at NNC live-in and live-out pay is the same, so budget for real hours either way.
Workers' comp: Florida's workers' comp law excludes domestic servants in private homes, so it is not required. Many families still ask their insurance broker about coverage, and we think that is smart.
Paid leave: Florida has no state paid sick leave law. Good nannies expect paid time off and holidays anyway, and the families who offer them keep their nannies longer.
Background checks: See our guide to nanny background checks in Palm Beach and Florida and our background check service.
What makes Palm Beach different
The season: Many families are here roughly November through April. If you only need a nanny in Palm Beach for the season, decide early whether the nanny travels with you the rest of the year, or whether you need a seasonal placement. A temporary nanny can bridge gaps.
Travel: Summers in the Hamptons, Nantucket or Europe are normal here. Put travel pay, per diems and hours in writing before the first trip.
Water everywhere: Pools, the Intracoastal, ocean beaches. Strong swimming skills and constant supervision around water are non-negotiable for us.
Hurricane season: June 1 through November 30. Your agreement should say what happens if you evacuate. Does your nanny come with you? Are they paid if you close the house?
Private school logistics: Drop-offs at schools like Palm Beach Day Academy, The Benjamin School or Saint Andrew's mean a lot of driving. Confirm car, insurance and mileage.
Wellington's winter schedule: Equestrian families have long show days in the winter months. Ask candidates if they are comfortable around horses and barns.
Privacy: Many Palm Beach homes need a nanny who will never post, talk or name-drop. Our celebrity and high-profile nanny service is built for this.
Interview questions for Palm Beach nannies
"Walk me through how you supervise kids at a pool party with other families around."
"Have you traveled with a family between homes? How did you handle jet lag and new routines?"
"A hurricane watch is issued and we are flying out tomorrow. What do you need from us, and what do you do to get the kids ready?"
"How do you work alongside a house manager, chef or security team?"
"What does discretion mean to you in practice?"
"How do you keep a 6-year-old busy on a hot August afternoon without screens?"
"Tell me about a family you stayed with the longest. Why did you stay, and why did you leave?"
For more, see our top 10 nanny interview questions.
Red flags in the Palm Beach market
Season-only availability presented as long-term: Ask what they do May through October.
Name-dropping past families: If they tell you who they worked for, they will tell someone about you.
Weak swimming or water answers: Not workable here.
Reluctance to go on payroll: In Florida you still owe federal taxes and reemployment tax. Off-the-books arrangements put you at risk.
Only social media references: You want past employers you can call.
Your Palm Beach work agreement checklist
Pay: Hourly rate or salary, overtime, payday and payroll provider.
Guaranteed hours: Including weeks when you are traveling without the nanny.
Seasonal plan: Where the nanny works each month and how pay changes, if at all.
Travel terms: Hours, per diem, flights, private accommodation and days off on trips.
Hurricane and emergency plan: Evacuation, pay during closures, communication.
Water and pool rules: Gates, alarms, who can swim with whom.
Confidentiality: NDA, phones, photos and social media.
PTO, holidays and sick days: Even though Florida does not require them.
Housing (live-in only): Private room and bath, and clear off-duty time. Not a wage offset.
We always recommend one or two paid trial days before signing. Our trial day guide shows you how to plan them.
How The Natural Nanny Collective helps Palm Beach families
We place nannies across Palm Beach County and down to Miami and Key Biscayne. Here is what working with us looks like:
Every candidate is personally interviewed and vetted by a licensed social worker.
We check references before you meet anyone.
We email you candidate profiles, and you reply with the ones you want to meet.
We schedule Zoom or in-person interviews, which helps a lot when you are still up north.
We send our offer template and deliver the offer on your behalf.
We run the background check, then customize your employment agreement.
You do paid trial days before the nanny starts.
Most searches take 2 to 8 weeks, and every package comes with a replacement guarantee.
Learn more on our Palm Beach nanny agency page, see our packages and pricing, meet our team, read family testimonials, or look through all services, including housekeepers, family assistants and special needs nannies. You can also read about our nannies.
Related guides for families
Frequently asked questions
How much is a full-time nanny in Palm Beach?
Through NNC, experienced full-time nannies run $30 to $45 an hour, and career nannies for UHNW homes run $110,000 to $200,000+ a year. Most Palm Beach families we work with hire in one of those two tiers.
Do I pay a live-in nanny less in Palm Beach?
No. Live-in and live-out nannies earn the same through us. Housing is not part of the wage.
Do I have to pay Florida state income tax for my nanny?
No. Florida has no state income tax. You do owe federal payroll taxes and Florida reemployment tax once you pass the thresholds.
Can I hire a nanny just for the winter season?
Yes, though the strongest nannies usually want year-round work. Many families keep one nanny who travels with them, or book a temporary nanny for the season.
What does a rota nanny cost in Palm Beach?
Rota nannies run $110,000 to $200,000+ a year each. Since rota care uses two nannies, budget for both.
Is workers' comp required for a nanny in Florida?
Florida's workers' comp law excludes domestic servants in private homes. Talk to your insurance broker about whether you want coverage anyway.
How fast can I have a nanny in place?
Most searches take 2 to 8 weeks. Start before you arrive for the season if you can.
Ready to hire? Complete our family application and we will be in touch about your Palm Beach search.
Sources: IRS Publication 926 and Tax Topic 756 (2026 household employer thresholds and FUTA); Florida Department of Revenue, Reemployment Tax Rate Information (2026 initial rate and $7,000 wage base); Florida Statutes 443.1215 and 443.1216(6) (domestic service coverage); Florida Statutes 440.02 (workers' compensation definition of employment); U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet 79B (live-in domestic workers and overtime). This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.
