Thinking about becoming an au pair in the USA? You’re probably excited, curious… and maybe a little overwhelmed. Totally normal. Between visas, host families and the big move abroad, there are a lot of questions.
Good news: you’re not alone and we’ve got answers. Below are the most common Au Pair in America FAQs, explained in a real, honest and fun way, so you can decide if this next step is right for you.
An au pair is a young adult who lives with an American host family and helps care for their children. In exchange, you receive:
A place to live
Meals with your host family
Weekly stipend (aka pocket money 💸)
Up to $500 toward college-level courses in the U.S.
And the experience of living in America for up to 2 years
Think of it as part cultural exchange, part childcare and part once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey.
Your main role is childcare—but that can look different depending on the family. Typical tasks include:
Getting kids ready for school
Playing games, doing crafts or going to the park
Helping with homework
Preparing simple meals for the children
Tidying up after kid-related activities
No cleaning the whole house. No being a personal assistant. Childcare comes first, always.
Au pairs can work up to 45 hours per week, with:
A maximum of 10 hours per day
1½ days off per week
At least one full weekend off per month
Work schedules are agreed on before you arrive, so there are no surprises.
Au pairs receive a weekly stipend, set by the U.S. Department of State. While this is more of a cultural exchange, remember:
Housing and food are included
You’re not paying rent
Many au pairs save money while traveling
It’s about the experience as much as the paycheck.
Host families are American families who open their homes to au pairs and treat them as part of the family.
Families go through:
Background checks
Interviews
Training
A careful, mutual matching process to make sure lifestyles, expectations and personalities align
And you get to choose your host family. If the match doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to say yes. You can learn more about how our matching process works and take your time finding the right fit.
Yes! As part of the programme, au pairs must complete college-level coursework—and Au Pair in America provides up to $500 to help pay for it. This can be done online or in-person and around your own schedule
Popular choices include:
English classes
Photography
Business
Child development
Cooking (yes, really 🍳)
Learning + living abroad = win‑win.
12 months is the standard programme length
You can extend for 6, 9 or 12 more months
That’s up to 2 years in the US, plus 30 days to travel after your programme ends.
Absolutely. You’ll meet au pairs from all over the world through:
Monthly cluster meetings
We offer a 3 day orientation in the NYC area for all au pairs. Click here to find out more
Study classes
Travel and social events
Many au pairs say the friendships they make are just as important as the time in the US
This programme is perfect if you:
Love working with children
Want to live abroad (not just visit)
Are open-minded and adaptable
Want real cultural exchange—not a tourist bubble
If you’re ready to grow, explore and challenge yourself, this might be your sign.
Becoming an au pair is more than a programme —it’s a story you’ll tell for the rest of your life.
If you still have questions, Au Pair in America is here to help every step of the way. 🇺🇸💫
Your journey starts with one brave decision.
To find out more about becoming an au pair, click here.