Household staff pay rises as wealthy families expand private support

Private chefs in the U.S. can now earn as much as $300,000 a year, while butlers can make up to $180,000, according to a new report from Morgan & Mallet International. The household staffing firm said demand has reached record levels as wealthy families hire more workers to run larger, more complex private operations.

The report points to rising demand for chefs, personal assistants, nannies, housekeepers, chauffeurs and estate managers. Morgan & Mallet said the increase is linked to wealthy clients owning homes in several locations, overseeing larger family needs and requiring staff who can work across borders. The tighter labor market has lifted pay and contributed to more frequent job changes among household employees, the firm said.

“Many clients are surprised by the rising cost of household services,” Morgan & Mallet said in the report. “The reality is that securing quality staff with proven experience has become increasingly difficult, pushing wages for the best candidates to record highs globally.”

Private kitchens become a high-end labor market

The strongest attention is falling on private chefs. Morgan & Mallet said U.S. salaries for the role now range from $100,000 to $300,000. The firm said some ultra-wealthy families are seeking chefs with Michelin-starred restaurant experience, allowing them to have restaurant-level food at home while avoiding crowded dining rooms and public visibility.

Chefs with celebrity profiles command the largest premiums, according to the report. Specialists in dietary requirements, including celiac-safe cooking, are also in a strong negotiating position, Morgan & Mallet said.

Demand is also rising for nannies with advanced credentials. The firm said nannies who speak three languages and have experience with children who have special needs are especially sought after. Traveling nannies are scarce, and some earn as much as $163,000 in the United Arab Emirates, according to the report.

Estate managers and assistants draw higher salaries

In the U.S., personal assistants are the most requested role among employers, Morgan & Mallet said. Executive assistants and personal assistants can earn up to $250,000 a year, according to the firm.

The job requirements have changed alongside pay. Morgan & Mallet said privacy, discretion and technology skills are now central to hiring. In Los Angeles, 77% of personal assistant placements required nondisclosure agreements, the report found. The firm said strict restrictions on social media are now common across household roles.

Laurine Mallet, co-founder of Morgan & Mallet, said house managers have the fastest-rising salaries among household staff. The report attributed that increase to wealthy clients’ expanding property holdings and a limited pool of experienced candidates.

Household managers in the U.S. can now make between $150,000 and $250,000, according to Morgan & Mallet. Skilled estate managers are becoming harder to recruit because many are expected to oversee more than three properties, often in multiple countries and under different legal systems, the firm said.

Butlers are also taking on broader duties than the traditional service role. Morgan & Mallet said modern butlers may oversee staff, household technology, security and logistics across several homes. Their annual pay can reach $180,000.

“Clients want efficient service with less formality,” the report said. “Discretion, confidentiality, and trustworthiness are the most important qualities. Adaptability, flexibility, and strong people skills matter too.”

Morgan & Mallet said tenure has shortened as the market has become more competitive. Household staff once often stayed with one employer for decades, but the average tenure is now three years, according to the report. As wealthy families spend time across homes and seek residency in multiple countries, the firm said they increasingly want staff with Western passports who can travel readily.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.