How much does it cost to host an au pair in Massachusetts?
Hosting an au pair can be a cost saving solution compared to other childcare options and benefit your family on many levels. Agent Au Pair provides a great opportunity that gives families an affordable solution without sacrificing the high-quality in-home childcare they desire. Agent Au Pair provides the best option for families wish to host an au pair.
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. Agent Au Pair cannot provide host families with definitive guidance on the application of Massachusetts state law to the federal program.
The Host Family and Au Pair should negotiate the terms of a written agreement to best suit both parties, subject to the requirements of Massachusetts state law and the federal regulations of the U.S. Department of State. The sample agreement below does not constitute legal advice. Host families and au pairs should independently review their rights and obligations under all applicable state and federal laws with respect to the terms and provisions set forth in any written agreement related to the au pair’s provision of childcare services. You can view a Sample Agreement for Massachusetts Host Families and Au Pairs here.
Pricing Breakdown
Registration Fee: $0
2022 Program Fee: $8,995 / 2023 Program Fee: $9,625
Massachusetts Minimum Wage: $14.25 in 2022 and $15 in 2023 x the number of hours the au pair is on duty (up to 40 hours).
If your au pair works 41 – 45 hours, you must pay time-and-a-half for the hours over 40 hours a week.
Deductions: You may be able to deduct from the weekly pay to your au pair under the MA minimum wage laws for a meal credit of up to $42 per week and/or a lodging credit of up to $35 per week if you determine all state requirements for these credits are met.
On-duty hours per week | Minimum total hours | Maximum deductions | Payent total more than Dept. of State minimum stipend requirement ($195.75) | Au Pair Payment |
10 | $150 | – $77 | No | $195.75 |
20 | $300 | – $77 | Yes | $223 |
30 | $450 | – $77 | Yes | $373 |
40 | $600 | – $77 | Yes | $523 |
45 | $600 + $112.50 overtime) | – $77 | Yes | $635.50 |
* Please note that these prices are for the Standard Au Pair Program. See pricing below for other program options.
** In 2023 minimum wage in MA will be $15/hr. and all requirements must be met for the deductions to be allowable.
What the Program Fees Cover
- Trans-Atlantic airfare
- Recruiting, screening and preparation of the au pair in the home country
- Health insurance
- Child development and safety training at the Au Pair Training School
- Documents to obtain the J-1 Visa
- Host family and au pair Orientations
- Au pair monthly meetings
- Year-long program support
- Commitment of a one-year program
Additional Costs
Educational Requirement
Au pairs are required to take 6 credits during their program year. Host families are responsible for contributing $500 per program towards your au pair’s educational component.
Transportation
Host families are responsible for providing transportation to monthly meetings and classes for their educational component. Host families can either provide a car for your au pair to drive, pay for public transportation, or drive their au pair.
Room and Board
You are responsible for providing your au pair with a private bedroom and regular meals. Host family often provide access to a car, cell phone, and family trips.
Insurance
Host families are responsible for providing auto insurance for their au pair if they require them to drive their children to school and after school activities.
* Please note these numbers are for the standard au pair program. See the chart below for other programs
Program Options
We offer several au pair program options. Please see our program options page for further details.
Program: | Standard | Au Pair Pro | TutorCare |
Match Processing Fee | $300 | $300 | $300 |
Program Fee | $9,995 | $10,595 | $9,095 |
Minimum Weekly Stipend | $195.75 | $265.00 | $146.81 |
- Processing Fee is due at the time of match to secure your match.
- Host families have the option to pay more than the minimum weekly stipend to their au pair. Under no circumstance should a family pay less than the minimum weekly stipend.
- Host Families are also responsible for the US Department of State $500 educational requirement contribution. ($1,000 for TutorCare)
- The U.S. Department of State calculation of the minimum weekly stipend is based on the federal minimum wage with a 40% deduction for room and board in exchange for childcare services. Host families and au pairs are free to agree to compensation higher than the legally applicable minimum.
- The au pair’s weekly stipend, room and board, education component stipend and other program fees are subject to change based on any revisions to Department of State regulations for the au pair program, or any other applicable laws or regulations. If this occurs, Agent Au Pair will inform families.
Available Discounts
Repeat Family Discount: $500
For families who have completed one full year as a client will receive a $500 discount off their next annual contract. If your family and au pair choose to stay together for a second year, your program fee is substantially reduced.
*In order to qualify for extension pricing, the host family needs to have had the au pair they are extending with in their home for 6 months or longer.
Thanks for Switching: $500
Host families who switch from another designated agency receive a $500 discount. A copy of the canceled check or paid invoice may be required for proof of payment (an application fee with another agency does not qualify).*
Military Discount: $1000
Agent Au Pair offers a $1000 discount to new host families who have at least one parent serving in the military or is a veteran. Military families sacrifice so much, this is our way of giving back and thanking them for their service. We are proud to support our families who serve our country!
Effective Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2017.
Host Family Referrals: $500 off your next program or $250 cash
When you are a current host family and you refer a family who welcomes an au pair in their home, you will receive a $500 discount off your next au pair contract. The referral reward will be issued after the au pair is in the host family’s home for 90 days.
Effective July 16, 2019.
** All discounts are applied to 12 month programs only. Discounts are not valid for extension au pairs.
Payment Plans
2022 Payment Plans
Payment Type | Due Date | Amount |
Payment 1 | Due When You Match | $3,995 |
Payment 2 | Due Upon Visa Approval | $2,500 |
Payment 3 | Due Upon Au Pair Arrival in Country | $2,500 |
Total Payment: | $8,995 |
Payment Type | Due Date | Amount |
Payment 1 | Due Upon Match Confirmation | $3,995 |
Payment 2 | Due Upon Visa Approval | $1,000 |
Payment 3 | Due Upon Arrival in Country | $1,000 |
Payment 4 | Due One Month After Arrival | $1,000 |
Payment 5 | Due Two Months After Arrival | $1,100 |
Payment 6 | Due Three Months After Arrival | $1,150 |
Total Payment: | $9,245 |
* Extended Payment Plan includes processing fee of $250
Payment Type | Due Date | Amount |
Payment 1 | Due When You Match | $3,995 |
Payment 2 | Due Upon Visa Approval | $2,800 |
Payment 3 | Due Upon Au Pair Arrival in Country | $2,800 |
Total Payment: | $9,595 |
2023 Payment Plans
Payment Type | Due Date | Amount |
Payment 1 | Due When You Match | $3,995 |
Payment 2 | Due Upon Visa Approval | $2,815 |
Payment 3 | Due Upon Au Pair Arrival in Country | $2,815 |
Total Payment: | $9,625 |
Payment Type | Due Date | Amount |
Payment 1 | Due Upon Match Confirmation | $3,995 |
Payment 2 | Due Upon Visa Approval | $1,175 |
Payment 3 | Due Upon Arrival in Country | $1,175 |
Payment 4 | Due One Month After Arrival | $1,175 |
Payment 5 | Due Two Months After Arrival | $1,175 |
Payment 6 | Due Three Months After Arrival | $1,180 |
Total Payment: | $9,875 |
* Extended Payment Plan includes processing fee of $250
Payment Type | Due Date | Amount |
Payment 1 | Due When You Match | $3,995 |
Payment 2 | Due Upon Visa Approval | $3,050 |
Payment 3 | Due Upon Au Pair Arrival in Country | $3,050 |
Total Payment: | $10,095 |