A house manager (also called a domestic manager, housekeeping manager, estate manager or household manager) is an individual who is solely responsible for overseeing and governing the ins and outs of the household. House managers may live on-site in the employer’s home, have a set number of hours per day to come in, or be on call to take on tasks as needed — all depending on the needs of the employer and home.

In this blog, we’ll discuss what a house manager is, what the job entails, and what is required to become a house manager.

What does a house manager do?

Generally, a house manager plays an important role in keeping the household running efficiently and effectively. Responsibilities may include any chore or task that needs to be done for the home or family, like ensuring the home stays neat and organized, setting appointments for repair and maintenance services in the home, keeping an inventory of household items and restocking as needed, running errands, cleaning and folding laundry, managing bills, caring for children in the home, and more.

Managing staff as a household manager

Another key component of a house manager is to hire and supervise other household staff or contractors at the request of the homeowner. For instance, if the HVAC system isn’t working properly, it is the responsibility of the house manager to contact a repair service, arrange for them to come and look at the system, talk with the technician when they arrive at the home, and oversee the work to make sure everything is done properly and the system gets fixed. A house manager may also manage the following:

Home cleaners
Nannies, babysitters and/or mother’s helpers
Tutors
Chefs
Chauffers
Personal assistants
Pet sitters

How do you become a house manager?

The requirements to become a house manager will depend on the specific homeowner and his or her needs, but generally, a high school diploma or GED is preferred. Additionally, the homeowner will want to see strong references from previous employers to show the candidate is a responsible and trustworthy individual. After all, employers are trusting the house manager to deal with their families, personal information, and belongings.

Some experience in general household upkeep is also a plus when applying to become a house manager. Many house managers actually start as other employees in the home — most often nannies, who are often already doing certain tasks like cleaning and folding the children’s laundry, preparing meals, running errands, etc.

Does a house manager wear a uniform?

Different households will have different requirements for staff attire. More formal households may require a specific uniform, semi-formal households may request black pants or skirt and a white buttoned shirt, and an informal home typically allows the house manager to wear whatever they are comfortable with — subject to the homeowner’s agreement.

It is best for employer and employee to discuss this sooner rather than later to avoid any surprises (as a house manager, you don’t want to show up in jeans if the homeowner has a more formal preference; as a homeowner, you don’t want to blindside the house manager with a uniform requirement on day one of the job).

What are the top skills for a house manager?

To be a successful house manager, one must have a number of important qualities, including:

Must ask questions to understand responsibilities and ensure needs are being met, and must convey any concerns or issues that arise.
Must be able to build a relationship with their employer built on trust and mutual understanding.
Must keep track of duties and handle a list of multiple responsibilities at a given time.
Must keep confidential home and family information private.
Must trust their capabilities to get work done and hire the right staff as needed (repairs, gardening, etc.)
Must take great care in dealing with the employer, the home, and other members of the household.
Must be able to think on their feet to come up with quick solutions to any conflicts or complications.

What is the average salary for a house manager?

The pay a house manager will receive will vary greatly depending on the specifics of the home and responsibilities performed. For instance, if the homeowner is a single individual living alone, there will likely be less work to do, and therefore the pay may be less. However, if the house manager is expected to be in the home full-time, they should expect a pay rate that reflects that.

Location also plays a role in wages. The cost of living in a large city is higher than a small rural or suburban town, and a full-time house manager should be paid to support that cost of living. Keep in mind that oftentimes, house managers are provided free room and board at the home, and are reimbursed for things like gas, groceries, etc.

On average, a house manager in the United States is paid anywhere from $30 - $70 per hour, depending on skill level and scope of responsibilities. Current market rate in Chicago for an experienced house manager/nanny is about $35 per hour, as of 2024. This will all be discussed in the hiring and interview process.

Bringing you peace of mind: My Household Managed

My Household Managed was founded by a former recruiter and nanny, so we understand the importance of people’s rights as domestic employees and act as an advocate for them when placing them in a job. Our goal is to find the perfect match for both homeowner and job candidate, while saving both the time and energy in the process.

Our 10-step process is as follows:

Client/homeowner submits an online application
We have an introductory call with the homeowner to get to know them and their family, lifestyle, and specific needs
We create a customized job description and post it to our website (once we have client approval)
We perform an applicant search through our database, or source for new candidates
We narrow down to the 3-5 best-matched candidates and share their resumes, references, interview notes, and any other important information
A phone or virtual interview is held between the client and candidate
If the client is interested, a second interview is held at the home
A written offer is made to the chosen candidate, followed by a background check
Along with the client, My Household Managed creates a work agreement — signed by both the homeowner and new employee
My Household Managed provides new hire resources, including onboarding materials for the employee; payroll, tax, and insurance information.