Thinking about taking a job in the DC area? Here’s what you need to know first.

We often get applications from wonderfully qualified childcare professionals looking for their next family. They are willing to relocate for the right family, and thus, they are casting a wide net. 

The D.C. area is a very livable place – where you can have access to FREE museums, monuments, and parks. There’s a great food scene. The buzz of a city just minutes from quieter, green neighborhoods. 

However, before you apply to nanny jobs there are some things you should know.

As a local agency committed to serving families is DC/Metro area, White House Nannies has found that the most successful placements – both for the families and the nannies – are ones where the nanny either has roots in the area, an idea of why they feel it would be a good fit for them or a track record of successfully relocating for other nanny positions.

Before applying to us:

• Consider taking a weekend to stay with a friend, relative, Nannypalooza or INA buddy to explore and make sure it is a good fit for you. Full disclosure, our traffic stinks.
• We also recommend looking into the cost of living. Very few families in the area are looking for live-in help, not to mention the salary difference between live-in and live-out is nominal here. So, it is important that you have researched the housing options available.

Know the Market

As of 2019, we find that the going rate for nannies in the DC-metro area is between $20 and $25 per hour. Our client’s jobs tend to be 40-50 hr/week jobs. Household Managers salaries tend to be $25-30/ hr. 

Where to Settle

Below are White House Nannies’ recommendations for ideal home-base locations for Childcare Professionals looking for jobs in DC, MD, or VA. Suggestions are based on affordability, ease of commute, and other factors such as charm, access to amenities, transit etc. 

Silver Spring

Why We Like It:

• Affordable. Can be metro accessible (red line), plentiful parking both for metro access and for residential living.
• Manageable commute to both our MD and DC jobs if you live in 20902 and 20901 zip codes 

Best areas to work if you live here:

• Maryland: Kensington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights
• Washington DC: Tenleytown AU Park, Forest Hills, Spring Valley, Palisades, Wesley Heights, Westmoreland Hills

Rockville/North Bethesda

Why We Like It:

• Affordable
• Close to Grosvenor and White Flint metro stations. 
• Access to nice amenities such as Rockville Town Square and Pike & Rose, a nice new development for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Best Neighborhoods to Work if you live here:

• Maryland: Bethesda Kensington, Rockville, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Takoma Park, 
• Washington DC: NW DC 

Gaithersburg

Why We Like It: 

• Affordable 

Best Neighborhoods to Work if you live here:

• Maryland: Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Rockville, Potomac

Arlington

Best Neighborhoods to Work if you live here:

• Virginia: Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, McLean
• Washington, DC: Georgetown, Palisades, Spring Valley 

Germantown

Best Neighborhoods to Work if you live here:

• Maryland: Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase

Burtonsville

Best Neighborhoods to Work if you live here:

• Maryland: Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase

Hyattsville

Best Neighborhoods to Work if you live here:

• Washington, DC: 16th Street, Takoma Park (DC), Dupont, Logan Circle
• Maryland: Bethesda, Takoma Park (MD)

More Difficult Commute:

Places where the affordability factor is great, but the commute? Not so much.

• VA: Woodbridge, Manassas, Lorton. Leesburg
• MD: Frederick, Damascus, Clarksburg, Urbana, Bowie