A number of factors can influence the minimum wage for domestic workers. These workers, with a few exceptions, are covered by national minimum wage laws and must earn at least the hourly rate set by the country in which they work. Babysitters, live-in housekeepers, nannies, and young domestic workers, on the other hand, may be paid less.
The country in which a domestic worker is employed has the greatest impact on the minimum wage. The national government sets a minimum wage in most parts of the world to ensure that workers are paid a fair hourly, weekly, or monthly wage. Domestic workers in countries with a minimum wage have the right to be paid at least that amount. Employers may pay domestic workers higher wages if they value their services more highly or if the domestic worker is performing tasks that require some level of education, such as tutoring or teaching young children.
A domestic worker’s pay may be affected by the state, province, or city in which he or she is employed. The national minimum wage in some countries, such as the United States, is not considered high enough to cover the cost of living across the country. States and cities have the option of setting their own minimum wage that is higher than the national minimum. In these cases, the higher rate of pay for domestic workers will be the minimum wage.
The amount a domestic worker is paid may also be affected by the nature of the work he or she does. Babysitting, for example, may be exempt from minimum wage laws. The minimum wage for domestic workers who live in the home where they work may be adjusted to reflect the fact that they are paid room and board. Live-in domestic workers in some countries may be paid a small stipend rather than a regular salary, especially if they are from another country and are enrolled in a language study program.
Domestic workers who are under the age of 30 may also be paid less. Workers under a certain age, usually 18 or 20, may be paid less than older workers in some countries. After a few months of employment, the minimum wage for domestic workers under these age ranges is usually raised to meet the national minimum wage.