Cost of hosting an au pair in Massachusetts?

The total cost of hosting an au pair can be broken down into three parts. The first part consists of the required fees that are paid to our agency. The second part is money that goes directly to your au pair. The third part consists of additional costs that come from hosting—such as room and board and additional insurance. Many families find the total costs to be competitive when compared to daycare or nannies on an annual basis. We also offer discounts for both new and repeat families.

On December 2, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued its decision that host families must comply with Massachusetts labor laws applicable to domestic workers, including the Massachusetts Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, in addition to the U.S. Department of State’s regulations governing the federal au pair program.  Cultural Care’s role in the au pair program is solely as a U.S. State Department designated sponsor and, as a result, Cultural Care cannot provide host families with definitive guidance on the application of Massachusetts state law to the federal program.  Please read this overview of the obligations for host families provided by the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General. Cultural Care has provided, however, a chart below setting forth its understanding of the required pay rates and potential deductions permitted in Massachusetts.  Host families can also review this helpful checklist which is a collection of information and resources on other potential state requirements, considerations and financial obligations.

If you do not live in Massachusetts, please review information on pricing in other states.

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Costs, part 1

Agency fees paid to Cultural Care Au Pair:

$75 

Registration Fee
Due at time of registration to access our online database of available au pairs and begin matching. 

+$450 

Processing Fee
Due upon final selection of your au pair to secure your match. 

+$10,595 

Program fee
Due 30 days prior to au pair’s arrival. This covers the services and support Cultural Care provides and other costs we incur related to the program.

Costs, part 2:

Paid weekly to your au pair:

Au pairs who live with a host family in Massachusetts are entitled to a weekly payment directly from their host family, that is at least the greater of either:

2024

Count on-duty hours per weekCalculate minimum total dueMaximum deduction for weekly meals per MA law Maximum deduction for weekly lodging per MA law Confirm total is at least the State Dept. minimum au pair stipend requirement (>$195.75)Pay your au pair at least this amount per week
10$150-$42-$35No$195.75
20
30
40
45
$300
$450
$600
$600 + $112.50 (overtime)
-$42
-$42
-$42
-$42
-$35
-$35
-$35
-$35
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
$223
$373
$523
$635.50

In 2024, minimum wage in MA will be $15/hr. and all requirements must be met for the deductions to be allowable.

Explore our Extended Payment Plan (EPP)

If you’d prefer to pay the program fee in installments, we offer an Extended Payment Plan. To be eligible, host families must host au pair for a minimum of 44 weeks. Payment through our Extended Payment Plan is accepted by eCheck only. Click the arrow for more details.

Installment 1:

$3,195

+ $200 enrollment fee
Due 30 days before your au pair’s arrival

Installment 2:

$2,600

+ $50 administrative fee
Due 2 months after your au pair’s arrival

Installment 3:

$2,400

+ $50 administrative fee
Due 4 months after your au pair’s arrival

Installment 4: 

$2,400

+ $50 administrative fee
Due 6 months after your au pair’s arrival

Costs, part 3:

Additional costs 

It’s important to remember that the au pair program requires consideration for the au pair’s experience as well as the family’s needs. When considering your family budget for the program, it’s also important to consider the additional cost of utilities and food, as well as the costs of including your au pair in family outings and experiences. Below are some incidental costs to keep in mind.

Education Requirement

You’ll contribute up to $5002 towards your au pair’s education requirement of 6 college credits during their term.

Room and board

You’ll provide a private bedroom and regular meals for your au pair. Families often provide access to a car, cell phone, and include their au pair in family vacations.

Insurance

If your au pair will drive, you’ll need to cover additional auto insurance, and in some states you may need workers’ compensation coverage.

Explore our Discounts

Cultural Care Au Pair offers many discounts for both new and repeat host families. If you have specific questions regarding any of our discounts, please call us at 1-800-333-6056. Offers cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined with any other program fee discounts.

New families – Register for free!

Register using promotional code PCREGWAIVER to receive a registration fee waiver to save $75! *To qualify, families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair and welcome an au pair by September 30, 2023. Processing fee of $450 must be paid upon final au pair selection. Offer cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined with any other program fee discounts (excluding host family referral bonuses). Program fee discounts must be applied at the time of registration, and may only be applied to program terms of 30 weeks or more.

Military family discount – Save $1,075

Cultural Care Au Pair is proud to support our military. We offer a $75 registration fee waiver AND a $1,000 program fee discount to both active members of the military as well as veterans. Families can apply using code PCMilitary, and must show proof of their military service. To be eligible for the Cultural Care military discount, families must be new to Cultural Care, must be hosting a term that’s at least 30 weeks in length, and at least one parent must be or have been a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard). Proof of service will be required to determine eligibility for the discount.

Make the switch – Save up to $1,075

We welcome families from other au pair agencies to host with us. As a family experienced with the au pair program, host families who switch to Cultural Care Au Pair are entitled to $1,075 in savings! Register using promo code PCTFS to receive a $75 registration fee waiver and a $1,000 program fee discount. Families must submit proof of payment of their agency’s program fees (proof of payment of application fee does not qualify). The $1,000 program fee savings will be applied upon receipt of proof of payment and will only be applied to one program fee. Program fee discounts may only be applied to program terms of 30 weeks or more.

Corporate program discount

Cultural Care Au Pair offers an employee benefit program and discount through a number of companies and organizations. To find out if your employer or organization participates in our corporate program, please check with your HR team or contact us at aupairbenefits@culturalcare.com.

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1The U.S. Department of State has determined that au pairs are required to receive from their host families at least $195.75 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum; however, this cannot be in exchange for the au pair exceeding the regulatory limits on working hours (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. The State Department formula is based on the federal minimum wage and applicable room and board credits. Any change in the federal minimum wage or the applicable credits will result in an increase in this minimum stipend amount. Please note, should a family extend beyond the first year, they would be responsible for the stipend for each week of the extension term. 

2This contribution towards an au pair’s education requirement is determined by the U.S. Department of State, and families agree to comply with any increase that is issued.