How Much Does Hosting an Au Pair Cost?
Hosting an Au Pair: Cost Overview
How much does hosting an au pair cost? For families considering hosting an au pair this is an important consideration. Fortunately, hosting an au pair can be an affordable child care solution, especially for families with multiple children. Au Pair USA is a nonprofit organization and we strive to keep your program costs low and our customer service extraordinarily high.
Apply for free and our expert Placement Specialists will help you match with one of our carefully screened au pairs. You don’t pay until you confirm a match with the au pair of your choice. If you’re looking for an au pair cost breakdown, see below.
Cost of Au Pair Services
What You Pay to Au Pair USA
| Description | Fee | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $0 | No fee to apply |
| Match Processing Fee | $350 | Due upon matching |
| Program Fee | $9,790 | $1,500 Down payment due upon matching $8,290 Balance due when your au pair arrives or according to our payment plan |
What You Pay to Your Au Pair
| Au Pair Stipend* | The minimum weekly stipend for au pairs is set by the U.S. Department of State. This amount is currently a minimum of $195.75. However, for placements and extensions starting in 2024 and beyond, InterExchange requires that host families pay their au pairs a minimum stipend of $225.00 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to agree on compensation higher than what is required by InterExchange. |
| Education Stipend | Host families contribute $500.00 when the au pair enrolls in educational courses at an accredited post-secondary institution in order to complete the educational component of the program. |
* Massachusetts Families: Contact Au Pair USA at 1-800-287-2477 for information about requirements for employing an au pair in Massachusetts.
Additional Au Pair Cost Information
Match Processing Fee
A Match Processing Fee is required upon requesting your match and helps cover costs including but not limited to host family criminal background checks, employment verifications, SEVIS fees, the in-home interview and document processing.
Domestic Arrival Airport
If your au pair is arriving from outside of the U.S., their international flight is included in your program fees and you can select the arrival airport of your choice. If your au pair is already in the U.S., you will be responsible for arranging and paying for the au pair’s travel to your home.
Payment Plan
When you match with a 12-month au pair, you can take advantage of our easy payment plan option and spread your Program Fee Balance over six consecutive months. The first payment is due the day of your au pair’s arrival. This option requires a one-time financing fee of $350 due upon matching.
In-Country Program Fees
If you match with an au pair who is already in the U.S., the 12-month Program Fee will be prorated based on the number of weeks that are left in the au pair’s program term. A down payment of $1,500 + $350 Match Processing Fee is due upon requesting the match, and the balance is due in full upon arrival of the au pair to your home. You will be responsible for arranging and paying for the au pair’s travel to your home.
Pre-Match Deposit
If you have a pre-match, meaning you have found an au pair outside of Au Pair USA’s matching platform, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required. This $500 deposit will be applied to the Host Family balance due when the match is confirmed. Learn more about pre-matches.
What's Included in the Au Pair USA Program
The program includes the following services:
- 12-Month au pair placement
- J-1 au pair visa sponsorship
- Au pair’s international travel
- Au pair accident and sickness insurance
- Local Coordinator and Regional Supervisor support
- In-home interview and arrival orientation
- Monthly au pair events
- Annual Host Family Day event
- 24-Hour emergency support
- Comprehensive Au Pair Online Academy Training
Other Au Pair Costs to Consider
- Auto insurance for au pair if they drive your car
- Travel costs to facilitate attendance at education classes and au pair gatherings
- Expenses associated with room and board for your au pair
- Optional incidentals such as cell phones
