If you are considering traveling to a new country to work as an au pair, take a look into our list of the 10 highest paying countries for au pairs.
While you’re at it, also feel free to check out our article on the easiest countries to adopt a baby from.
The decision to become an au pair is undoubtedly exciting, but it also comes with a whole host of questions: How much money will I make? Do I pay taxes to the local government? Will my host family provide me with my own room? Do I have to clean and cook, or just take care of children? How many hours will I work? Do I have to pay for my own plane tickets and language courses? These are all details that must be ironed out with your host family prior to the start of your employment. But there is one question that we can help answer here, and it relates to your paycheck.
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In order to compare countries and come up with our list, we sourced information about employment rates from AuPairWorld. This is a wonderful site for information on each country’s au pair system, as well as a place where prospective au pairs can sign up and create a profile, and prospective host families can view their profiles in order to hire them. The counties were ranked in order of how much they pay au pairs per month. Keep in mind that this list merely ranks countries in terms of the actual money given to the au pair, and does not reflect other amenities (such as room and board or standard of living).
Continue reading to learn more details about the highest paying countries for au pairs.
10. Belgium
Pocket Money per Month: €450 ($486)
Childcare is the main duty of an au pair in Belgium. Light housework may be asked of you. It is advised that you have a bank account, because your paycheck will be deposited there. You may not exceed 4 hours of work per day, and a maximum of 6 days per week. One day off per week is entitled to you, and at least one whole weekend off per month as well.
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9. Luxembourg
Pocket Money per Month: €480-€500 ($519-$540)
Your placement period as an au pair in Luxembourg should not exceed a year. Since a contract is provided, it is advised that your tasks and pay be specifically indicated there. Language courses or culture and civilization courses are on the list of requirements for an au pair in Luxembourg; but luckily, the host family will shoulder this cost.
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8. Denmark
Pocket Money per Month: 4000 DKK ($581)
The required age of an au pair in Denmark is 18-29 years. Your plane ticket to and from Denmark that ranks 8th in our list of highest paying countries for au pairs will be paid by the host family. Free room and meals are provided for you, and it is even a requirement for you to have your own room.
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7. New Zealand
Pocket Money per Month: 640 NZ$-840 NZ$ ($450-$590)
Aside from the monthly paycheck you receive from your host family, you will also receive paid time off for holidays and sick days when you work as an au pair in New Zealand. Earning in New Zealand means IRD, or Inland Revenue, applies. You will be required to get an IRD number to be given to the employer, which allows taxes to be properly deducted from your earnings.
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6. Canada
Pocket Money per Month: 800 CAD ($598)
Room and board are deducted from your monthly wage when you work as an au pair in Canada. It is advised that you do some research into the region in which your host family lives, so that you will know the wage regulations and rates beforehand. Deductions include Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and income tax.
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5. Norway
Pocket Money per Month: 5400NOK ($636)
As an au pair in Norway, your host family should afford you the opportunity to attend a Norwegian language course. Coming to Norway, you must be prepared to handle your own travel expenses; however, the host family will pay for your ticket back home. Norway has earned it a place on our list of highest paying countries for au pairs.
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4. Switzerland
Pocket Money per Month: 500-700 Swiss Francs ($504-$706)
You will be expected to work half of the day as an au pair in Switzerland that’s up next in our list of highest paying countries for au pairs. One of the host parents will accompany you for at least half of your working hours. Light housework is among the tasks you should be prepared to be assigned, in addition to looking after the children.
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3. Australia
Pocket Money per Month: 800-1000 AUD ($610-$762)
It is crucial to discuss your days off, tasks, and working hours with your host family prior to beginning work as an au pair. Taking an English course is the norm when you work as an au pair in Australia, but just know you will have to be prepared to pay for this.
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2. The United States of America
Pocket Money per Month: $795-$800
There are designated agencies where an au pair in America can attend special training workshops to learn about child safety and child development. This is a requirement before you can finally join your host family. A stay for a minimum of 12 months requires a J-1 Visa, which can be extended up to 24 months. And now, let’s see the number one in our list of highest paying countries for au pairs.
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1. Liechtenstein
Pocket Money per Month: 1115 CHF ($1125)
Au pairs in Liechtenstein are required to attend a German language course, which will be paid by the host family. One parent should always remain with you in the home (the exception being single parent homes). Liechtenstein takes number one on our list as the highest paying country in the word for au pairs.
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If you’ve ever considered taking the adventure of becoming an au pair in a foreign country, definitely draw from the information provided in our list of the highest paying countries for au pairs.
