True Cost of a Nanny in New York (2026)

Calculate true nanny costs in New York. Includes 2026 PFL, SDI, SUI rates, weekly overtime (40/44h), Spread of Hours pay, regional minimum wages ($17 NYC/LI/Westchester, $16 upstate), and Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

The Basics

The Schedule

Enter hours for each day worked. This will override Total Hours and Days per Week above for more precise overtime calculations.

Deductions & Options

Total Monthly Cost:$0.00

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overtime rule for nannies in New York?

In New York, nannies are paid 1.5x their regular hourly rate for hours over 40 per week (non–live-in) or over 44 per week for live-in workers. Unlike California, New York has no daily overtime—only weekly overtime applies.

What is Spread of Hours pay in New York?

If a workday exceeds 10 hours (or includes a split shift), you must add 1 extra hour of pay at the applicable minimum wage rate for that day. This is in addition to regular and overtime pay.

Do I have to withhold PFL and SDI for my nanny in New York?

Yes. You must withhold Paid Family Leave (PFL) at 0.432% of wages (capped at $411.91 per year for 2026) and Disability Benefits (SDI) at the state rate, with a maximum of $0.6 per week. You deduct these from the nanny's paycheck and remit them to the state.

What is the minimum wage for a nanny in New York?

As of January 1, 2026, the New York state minimum wage is $16/hour for the remainder of the state. In New York City (all boroughs), Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk), and Westchester County, the minimum wage is $[{'id': 'nyc_five_boroughs', 'name': 'New York City (All Boroughs)', 'rate': 17, 'lodging_daily_rate': 7.15, 'meal_credit': 5.8}, {'id': 'long_island', 'name': 'Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk)', 'rate': 17, 'lodging_daily_rate': 7.15, 'meal_credit': 5.8}, {'id': 'westchester', 'name': 'Westchester County', 'rate': 17, 'lodging_daily_rate': 7.15, 'meal_credit': 5.8}]rate[{'id': 'nyc_five_boroughs', 'name': 'New York City (All Boroughs)', 'rate': 17, 'lodging_daily_rate': 7.15, 'meal_credit': 5.8}, {'id': 'long_island', 'name': 'Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk)', 'rate': 17, 'lodging_daily_rate': 7.15, 'meal_credit': 5.8}, {'id': 'westchester', 'name': 'Westchester County', 'rate': 17, 'lodging_daily_rate': 7.15, 'meal_credit': 5.8}]rate17.00/hour. You must pay the higher rate if the work is performed in those regions.

Do I need workers' compensation for a nanny in New York?

Yes. In New York, workers' compensation is mandatory for household employees for any hours worked. Unlike some states with hour or earnings thresholds, you must have coverage from day one. Check your homeowner's or renters insurance for a domestic worker endorsement, or purchase a separate policy.

What does the Wage Theft Prevention Act require for pay stubs?

The Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA) requires that you provide a pay stub with each payment (at least weekly). It must include the employer name and address, employee name, pay period dates, hours worked, rate of pay, gross and net wages, and all deductions. Failure to provide compliant pay stubs can result in penalties.

Is My Nanny an Independent Contractor? (1099 vs W-2)

In New York, a nanny is almost always a W-2 employee. You set the schedule, provide the workplace, and direct the work. The state and IRS treat household childcare workers as employees. Misclassifying a nanny as a 1099 contractor can lead to back taxes, penalties, and liability for unpaid unemployment and disability contributions.

Are My Nanny Expenses Tax Deductible in New York?

In the United States, you may be able to claim a tax credit for childcare expenses, including a nanny's wages, under the Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC). The credit can be up to 35% of qualifying expenses, subject to limits. You generally need the nanny's name, address, and SSN (or TIN) on your return. New York does not have a separate state childcare credit for nanny wages, but federal rules apply.

How Do I Keep Track of My Nanny's Hours Worked?

Use a time-tracking app or a spreadsheet (e.g., Google Sheets or Excel) to record daily hours. For accurate Spread of Hours and overtime, record hours by day. We offer a Total Nanny Pay & Time Tracker Solution that can produce compliant pay stubs for New York.

How to Calculate New York Nanny Overtime and Spread of Hours

New York uses weekly overtime only (no daily overtime).

  • Non–live-in: Overtime = (Total Weekly Hours − 40) × (1.5 × Hourly Rate)
  • Live-in: Overtime = (Total Weekly Hours − 44) × (1.5 × Hourly Rate)
  • Spread of Hours: For any workday over 10 hours (or with a split shift), add 1 hour of pay at the minimum wage rate for that day (not the regular rate).

The Ultimate 2026 New York Nanny Tax Guide

Hiring a nanny in New York means navigating a distinct set of wage and tax rules. Whether you live in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, or the remainder of the state, you must pay at least the applicable minimum wage—$17.00 per hour in the higher-rate regions and $16.00 per hour elsewhere—and comply with weekly overtime, Spread of Hours pay, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, and mandatory workers compensation. This guide and the New York Nanny Pay Calculator above use only verified data from official sources so you can budget accurately and stay compliant.

New York Nanny Minimum Wage: $17 vs $16

As of January 1, 2026, the New York state minimum wage is $16 per hour for the remainder of the state (upstate). In the following regions, the minimum wage is $17.00 per hour and you must pay the higher rate when the work is performed there:

  • New York City (All Boroughs): $17.00 per hour
  • Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk): $17.00 per hour
  • Westchester County: $17.00 per hour

Select your region in the calculator so the minimum wage floor and any region-specific rules (such as live-in deduction caps) are applied correctly.

Spread of Hours Pay: A Unique New York Rule

Spread of Hours is a New York requirement that many employers miss. If an employee’s workday exceeds 10 hours, or if the day includes a split shift (e.g., morning and evening with a long unpaid break), you must add 1 extra hour of pay at the minimum wage rate for that day—not at the nanny’s regular rate. This is in addition to regular and overtime pay. The calculator above applies Spread of Hours when you use the “Detailed Daily Schedule” and any day exceeds the threshold.

New York Overtime: Weekly Only (No Daily OT)

Unlike California, New York does not use daily overtime. Overtime is based solely on the number of hours worked in the workweek. You must pay 1.5 times the regular rate for:

  • Non–live-in nannies: Hours over 40 in a week.
  • Live-in nannies: Hours over 44 in a week.

So a nanny who works three 12-hour days (36 hours) in a week has no overtime under New York law, whereas in California the same schedule could trigger daily overtime. Use the calculator’s weekly or detailed schedule to see the correct OT and total cost.

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

New York’s Domestic Workers Bill of Rights grants important protections. Key requirements include:

  • Day of rest:
  • Paid days off:
  • Live-in workers are eligible for overtime after 44 hours per week.

New York Nanny Taxes: Employee vs Employer

Household employers in New York must withhold certain taxes from the nanny’s pay and pay others themselves.

Employee (Nanny) Withholdings

  • Federal and state income tax (based on withholding tables and filing status).
  • Paid Family Leave (PFL): 0.432% of wages, capped at $411.91 per year for 2026. You withhold and remit to the state.
  • Disability Benefits (SDI): Withheld at the state rate; statutory maximum $0.6 per week. You withhold and remit.
  • FICA: Social Security and Medicare (same as all US household employees).

Employer (You) Taxes

  • NYS Unemployment Insurance (SUI): 4.1% on the first $13000 of wages per employee per year. You pay this; it is not deducted from the nanny’s paycheck.
  • FICA employer share (matching Social Security and Medicare).
  • FUTA (federal unemployment) on the first $7,000 of wages.

Workers Compensation is Mandatory in New York

In New York, workers’ compensation is required for household employees for any hours worked. There is no minimum hours or earnings threshold as in some other states. You must have coverage from the first day of employment. Many homeowner’s or renters insurance policies include an endorsement for domestic workers; if yours does not, you need a separate workers comp policy from an authorized carrier. Failure to carry coverage can result in fines and liability for injuries.

Pay Stubs and the Wage Theft Prevention Act

The Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA) requires that you give your nanny a pay stub with each payment (at least weekly). The pay stub must include the employer’s name and address, the employee’s name, the pay period dates, hours worked, rate(s) of pay, gross wages, all deductions (FICA, PFL, SDI, income tax, room and board if applicable), and net pay. Providing compliant pay stubs protects you and your employee and helps avoid penalties.

Required Paid Sick Leave

New York State requires paid sick leave. Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, with a cap of 40 hours per year. NYC has additional rules (e.g., unpaid leave and paid prenatal leave); check the latest NYC guidance if your nanny works in the five boroughs.

Live-In Room and Board Deductions

If your nanny is live-in, you may deduct reasonable room and board from wages subject to state caps. New York splits lodging and meal credits by region: downstate (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) has different maximums than the remainder of the state. The calculator applies the correct caps based on the region you select. A written agreement is recommended.

How to Use the New York Nanny Pay Calculator

Use the calculator above to estimate your total cost and your nanny’s take-home pay. Choose your region so the correct minimum wage ($17 or $16) and deduction caps apply. Enter the hourly rate and schedule; for accurate overtime and Spread of Hours, use “Use Detailed Daily Schedule” and enter hours by day. The calculator applies weekly overtime (40 or 44 hours), adds Spread of Hours pay when any day exceeds 10 hours, and estimates FICA, PFL, SDI, and SUI so you see true cost vs. take-home pay.

Data Sources and Last Modified

Rates and thresholds in this guide and in the calculator are drawn from New York State Department of Labor, New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, and IRS publications for 2026. Data last updated: 2026-02-01. Laws and rates may change; always confirm with the NY DOL (1-888-52-LABOR) or a qualified tax or employment professional for your situation.

This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or tax advice. New York labor and tax laws are subject to change. Consult with a qualified employment attorney or tax professional for your specific situation.