Au Pair Salary UK 2026: How Much Is an Au Pair Paid – and What Does an Au Pair Cost?
30 October 2026 · by Smart Au Pairs & Nannies
“How much is an au pair salary in the UK?” and “how much does an au pair cost?” are two of the questions families and candidates ask us most. Here is a clear guide to au pair pay per week, per month and per year in 2026 – the legal minimum, what families actually pay, and the full cost of hosting an au pair.
At a glance: au pair salary UK 2026
- London: from £250 net per week for around 25 hours
- Outside London: from £300 net per week for around 25 hours
- Per month: from around £1,083 net (London) or £1,300 net (outside London)
- Per year: from £13,000 net (London) or £15,600 net (outside London)
- Plus their own room and meals, with two full free days each week
How much is an au pair paid per week, per month and per year?
Au pair wages in the UK are agreed per week. As a guide, the families we work with pay:
| Location | Per week (net) | Per month (net) | Per year (net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | from £250 | from ~£1,083 | from £13,000 |
| Outside London | from £300 | from £1,300 | from £15,600 |
Figures are for around 25 hours a week (monthly figures = weekly × 52 ÷ 12). Market going rates are higher outside London – especially where driving is needed, families often pay more to stand out from in-demand London roles. Every placement is personally quoted.
The legal minimum: au pairs and the National Minimum Wage
Live-in au pairs are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Where a family provides free accommodation, the accommodation offset is the only benefit that counts towards it.
| From 1 April 2026 | From 1 April 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 21 and over | £12.71 gross per hour | £13.21 gross per hour |
| Ages 18–20 | £10.85 gross per hour | £11.27 gross per hour |
| Accommodation offset | £11.10 a day (£77.70 a week) | £11.53 a day (£80.71 a week) |
Example minimum weekly pay in 2026 (live-in, after the accommodation offset):
- Age 21+: 25 hours → £240.05 · 30 hours → £303.60
- Age 18–20: 25 hours → £193.55 · 30 hours → £247.80
The minimum wage is the legal floor, not a benchmark – roles offered at the legal minimum attract far fewer candidates. More detail in our article on the National Minimum Wage from April 2026. Source: GOV.UK.
Au pair salary: gross or net?
We recommend agreeing pay in gross – it fixes your cost. An au pair earning under £242 a week pays no income tax or National Insurance, so gross and net are the same. Above that, our childcare cost calculator shows the gross figure, the au pair’s take-home pay and your total cost as an employer.
How much does an au pair cost? The full cost for families
Beyond weekly pay, the cost of an au pair in the UK includes:
- Weekly pay – from £250 net per week in London (from £13,000 a year).
- Payroll – you must register as an employer with HMRC for virtually every placement. A payroll service such as Nannytax will handle this for you (20% off with code SMARTCHILDCARE20).
- Your au pair’s own room and meals.
- Travel needed for taking the children to and from school and activities.
- Our placement fee – registration is free; au pair placements are £995 +VAT (mid term, up to 8 months) or £1,490 +VAT (long term, 9–12 months). See our fees.
Example – how much does an au pair cost annually in the UK? A London family paying £250 net for 25 hours a week spends £13,000 a year on pay, plus a long-term placement fee of £1,490 +VAT, plus payroll and the cost of the room and meals.
Au pair vs nanny cost
An au pair offers flexible live-in support, ideal for school-age children and wrap-around care. By comparison, live-out nannies are typically £18–25 gross per hour, more for specialist roles such as maternity, and live-in nannies from £15 gross per hour. Please note that we do not advise sole care by an au pair for children under the age of two. Not sure which is right for you? Read Au pair, junior nanny or nanny: which fits your family?
Frequently asked questions
How much is an au pair salary in the UK per month?
From around £1,083 net a month in London and £1,300 net outside London, for around 25 hours a week – plus room and meals.
How much does an au pair cost annually in the UK?
From £13,000 a year in pay in London (from £15,600 outside London), plus payroll, room and meals, and a one-off placement fee if you use an agency.
Are au pairs paid the minimum wage?
Yes – live-in au pairs are entitled to the National Minimum Wage, with only the accommodation offset allowed for free accommodation.
How many hours does an au pair work?
Our au pairs typically work around 25 hours a week, with two full free days each week.
Want a figure for your family?
Try our cost calculator, or get in touch to discuss the right arrangement for your family.
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