Being an Au Pair in America is a great way to experience the United States and get an inside look at what it's like to be a local. If you want to be an Au Pair in the USA you will need to go with a placement agency. There are plenty to choose from that will help you find a job, complete the necessary legal steps, and make your transition to the states easier. To help you find a program that works best for you, here is a list of 52 placement agencies that offer programs to work as an Au Pair in the USA.
Photo Credits: Varun Yadav
What to Know About Being an Au Pair in America
What are the requirements to be an Au Pair in the USA?
To become an Au Pair in the USA you will need to obtain a J1 VISA through a legal agency. While VISA requirements may vary depending on what country you are from, general requirements are as follows; be ages 18-26, unmarried with no children, speak and understand English, and have completed secondary school. You will also need to be available for a full year as all USA placements are a minimum of 12 months.
Do you need to go with an agency?
Yes. If you are looking to become an Au Pair in the USA and are not a US citizen/passport holder, then you will need to obtain a J1 VISA with a legal agency. However, you can use websites such as AuPair.com or Au Pair World to find a family on your own and then work with an agency to complete the process.
Why go with an agency from the start?
Agencies vet the families that they work with, thus providing safety and support during the matching process. They do the bulk of the work for you by placing you with, or helping you find, a family they think will be a good match. They walk you though what you need to know, how to obtain your VISA, provide assistance while abroad, and more. They also make sure you receive proper payment and the agreed upon benefits of the job.
How much does it cost and what is provided?
Agency fees vary depending on what they provide their Au Pairs. Fees may not include things such as; flights, VISA costs, background checks, international drivers licenses, health insurance, other traveling costs, etc... It is important to understand the breakdown of the fees you will need to pay and what is included or excluded in those fees.
How do you know if an agency is legitimate?
To make sure and Au Pair agency is legitimate you need to do your research. Read past Au Pair reviews on third party websites, make sure they are certified, see if they have legitimate partner agencies, and check if they are a member of accredited Au Pair associations such as the International Au Pair Association.
Photo Credits: Frank Mckenna
Au Pair Placement Agencies in the USA
Au Pair in America provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Fees depend on your local agency.
Au Pair International provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Eur Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Fees depend on your local agency.
Christian Au Pairs provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are £600.
This program is for nationals from; Europe, the UK, Australia, Canada, South America, and South Africa. However, other nationals may contact them for placement possibilities.
Agent Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Fees depend on your local agency but can range from $400-$1,500 USD.
Culture Care Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Fees depend on your home country but can be up to $1,800 USD.
Au Pair 4 Me provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Au Pair First provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees range from €750-€1,090.
Aupairfect provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are around $700, must inquire for specifics.
Expert Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are $500.
Au Pair USA provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Square Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are £499.
Au Pair Care provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees depend on your home country but can range between $240-$2,500 USD.
Celtic Childcare provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €500. Note: This is an Italian agency that mentions placing Italian nationals with US host families, but does not explicitly state that you must be an Italian citizen to apply.
Dream Nannies provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Global Au Pairs provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices. This program is for nationals from Asia, Europe, or Latin America.
International Au Pair Italy provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €690.
Zubke provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €600.
Epic provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Club RCI provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are between €699-€950.
ACEXPLORE provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Nina Care provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Anixi provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are SEK 6,700 (about $630 USD).
KIDOWE provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €650.
Kazakhstan Council for Educational Travel provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees start at $1,500.
Upper provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are $23,300 MXN.
Niagara Care Givers provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
APITU GO EXPLORE provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €620.
A.I.S. provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Aupair Girona provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
Yellow Au Pairs provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €400.
Active Abroad provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €699.
Pipelettes Agency provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €550.
Roma Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
The Youth Exchange Center provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices.
JCR Au Pairs and Nannies provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees start at basic placement of $1,400. This program is for Australian passport holders.
Nannies Abroad provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are $1,300. This program is for New Zealand nationals.
Au Pair Koego provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are $1,998 NZD. This program may be for New Zealand Citizens only: must inquire within.
AIFS provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees start at €630. This program is for EU or Swiss citizens only.
AFJ Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €690. This program is for French citizens.
Go 4 Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €740. This program is for German nationals.
Au Pair Idiomas provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are €590-€790. This program is for citizens of Spain.
Au Pair Travel provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are $21,450 MXN. This agency's main cliental is women from Mexico.
Au Pair Mexico provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices. This program is for Mexican citizens.
Vas! Mexico provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are $700 USD. This program is for Mexican citizens.
Mex Au Pair provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices. This program is for Mexican citizens.
Au Pair Japanese Connection provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are 10,2750 yen. This program is for Japanese citizens only.
Engenius Au Pair Program provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Program fees are 49,700 BTH. This program is for female Thai citizens only.
Au Pair Thailand provides Au Pair placements in the USA.Program fees are $1,500 USD. This program is for Thai citizens only.
Clara's Au Pairs provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices. This agency places South African or Namibian citizens only.
Living Aupair World provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices. This program is for Columbian citizens.
Andar provides Au Pair placements in the USA. Must inquire for prices. Program might only be for Columbian citizens.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an agency to find a job as an Au Pair in the USA then hopefully there is one on this list that works for you. If you prefer to find a family on your own then be sure you reach out to an agency to complete the process of arriving to and working in the USA legally. Hopefully your Au Pair experience is wonderful and you have a great time exploring all the United States has to offer. If you have been an Au Pair in the USA please share your experience in the comments below!