Click to expand the information below to learn more about pocket money, holidays, language courses, and more in the United States.
Au pairs in the United States are entitled to at least $195.75 in pocket money per week. We recommend au pairs and host families discuss the pocket money as it greatly depends on the area they are located in and the associated expenses.
An au pair in the United States can have working hours of maximum 45 hours a week. They can work a maximum of 10 hours per day.
Au pairs in the US are entitled to at least 2 weeks of paid holiday per 12-month period. Each week, they are entitled to at least 1.5 days off and should have at least 1 full weekend per month.
Au pairs come to the US for a minimum of 12 months. They can extend their length of stay and visa for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months following their first year if they desire to continue the au pair program.
Host families should give au pairs $500 toward academic courses during their au pair stay. This can go toward English language courses or toward another area of interest. Some agencies require au pairs to participate in language courses.
As part of the au pair program, au pairs are entitled to free room and board. This means that they get all meals and housing from the host family. They must live in the same house as their host family and should have a private room with a door, window, bed, wardrobe, and desk, as well as access to a bathroom. Their food and living quarters are included if they become sick or are on holiday time.
The au pair is mainly responsible for childcare during their working hours which can include some meals, planning activities, and pick up from school. They cannot work during the night.
They can also contribute to light household tasks especially those that relate to the children such as doing the dishes, organizing toys, or doing the children’s laundry. Their responsibilities do not include heavy household work such as scrubbing bathrooms or vacuuming the whole house.
As car is the main mode of transportation in the US, most agencies require au pairs to have their driver’s license before they can apply for their visa. Most au pairs need to get an international license designation in their home country before legally driving within the United States.
Au pairs must have medical insurance coverage while they are in the states. Their sponsoring agency will help them in obtaining the correct coverage during their stay.
