How do I calculate the nanny's wages?

You must set a childcare schedule with your nanny that meet needs, her availability and the provincial labor laws. Then you will need to apply the agreed rate by the number of hours along with some other more "scientific" calculations... to work!

The nannies hours of work

First rule: you cannot ask your nanny to work more than 40 hours per week (44 in Alberta and Nova Scotia) without paying her overtime You may be able impose overtime hours on your nanny depending on your provincial labour laws. For more info, including detailed legislation about required rest break by province, please consult this page.

The hours of overnight care, from the putting to bed to the waking up of the child, must be paid the same as during daytime hours and take into account overtime pay.

Weekly hours = (hrs of care  per day X  number of days worked in the week)

Overtime is paid on hours worked beyond the 40th hour per week (in most provinces) or beyond the 8th hour worked per day.

Overtime hours are paid at 1.5X the regular wage up to 12 hrs and 2X beyond 12 hrs per day in the majority of provinces.

Once determined weekly schedule, set the number of weeks worked in the year:

52 weeks - 2 weeks of paid vacation - additional weeks unpaid leave (provided they are included in the contract).

Perhaps you are unable to set a regular schedule with your nanny. So, she will work irregular hours on a schedule that you agree upon in advance. Her salary will then vary from paycheque to paycheque.

Calculating your nanny's gross pay

You know the hours and hourly rate your nanny? All that's left is to calculate..

If your nanny work the same hours consistently, she can be paid in monthly instalments.

The calculation is as follows:

Monthly salary = hourly rate X number of hours per week X 52/12

If you are paying your nanny biweekly, the calculation of his salary will be according to the number of hours actually worked:

Biweekly payment = hourly rate X number of actual hours worked in two weeks.

Remember this is the gross pay before deductions which you will have to remit to the CRA. See our page of examples that include the net pay your nanny will receive plus government remittances you are required to pay.