Private household pay climbs as wealthy families compete for staff
Morgan & Mallet says rich families are paying up to $300,000 for private chefs as demand rises for staff who can manage homes, travel and privacy.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Private household staffing costs are rising as wealthy families compete for chefs, assistants, nannies and managers who can run increasingly complex personal operations. A new report from Morgan & Mallet International says private chefs in the U.S. can earn as much as $300,000 a year, while top butlers can make up to $180,000.
The staffing agency said demand has hit record levels across several roles, including personal assistants, housekeepers, chauffeurs and estate managers. Morgan & Mallet linked the surge to affluent families owning more homes in different places, traveling more often and requiring staff who can work across borders while protecting privacy.
In the report, Morgan & Mallet said many clients have been caught off guard by how much household staffing now costs. The agency said experienced candidates have become harder to secure, pushing pay higher in major wealth centers and increasing turnover among workers.
Chefs and assistants command top pay
Private chefs are among the most sought-after hires, according to Morgan & Mallet. The report found U.S. compensation for the role now ranges from $100,000 to $300,000 a year.
The agency said some ultra-wealthy households want chefs with Michelin-level backgrounds so they can dine privately rather than visit high-profile restaurants. It said celebrity chefs can command the highest premiums, while chefs with expertise in specialized diets, including celiac-safe cooking, also have strong pricing power.
Personal assistants are the most requested household role in the U.S., according to Morgan & Mallet. The report said executive assistants and personal assistants can earn up to $250,000 a year.
The agency said privacy standards have tightened alongside pay. In Los Angeles, 77% of personal assistant placements required nondisclosure agreements, according to the report, and social media restrictions have become common across household jobs.
Estate managers and nannies are in short supply
Laurine Mallet, co-founder of Morgan & Mallet, said house managers are seeing the fastest salary growth among household staff. She attributed that to wealthy clients’ expanding real estate holdings and a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
In the U.S., household managers can make between $150,000 and $250,000 a year, the report found. Morgan & Mallet said skilled estate managers are particularly hard to find because many are expected to oversee more than three properties across multiple countries and legal systems.
The report also pointed to strong demand for nannies with rare qualifications. Morgan & Mallet said nannies who speak three languages and have experience caring for children with special needs are especially sought after. Traveling nannies are scarce, the agency said, and some earn up to $163,000 in the United Arab Emirates.
Butler jobs have also changed, according to the report. Morgan & Mallet said the role now often includes managing staff, household technology, security and logistics across several properties, rather than performing the more formal duties traditionally associated with the job.
The agency said employers now place heavy weight on discretion, confidentiality and trust, along with flexibility and people skills. The report also said household staff who once stayed with one employer for decades now average about three years in a job, as wealthy families move among homes and seek staff who are ready to travel internationally.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.