Nanny vs Governess: What Is the Difference?
The difference between a nanny and a governess, what each one does, what they earn and how to choose.
What is the difference between a nanny and a governess?
A nanny looks after children's care and daily routine; a governess is responsible for their education, usually school-age children, and is often a qualified teacher. In the UK a nanny earns £50,000 to £95,000 a year and a governess £55,000 to £100,000, based on our 2026 placements, job offers and candidates' salary expectations.
Key Facts
- A nanny is responsible for care and routine; a governess for education.
- Governesses usually work with school-age children and are often qualified teachers.
- UK: nanny £50,000 to £95,000; governess £55,000 to £100,000 a year.
- US: nanny $60,000 to $170,000; governess $70,000 to $130,000 a year.
- Ranges based on Lighthouse Careers placements in 2026, job offers and candidates' salary expectations.
Nanny vs Governess: What Is the Difference?
A nanny looks after children: their care, safety, meals, routine and play. A governess is responsible for their education: lessons, homework, languages and learning plans, usually for school-age children. Many families need one or the other; some need both.
Nanny vs governess at a glance
| Nanny | Governess | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Care and daily routine | Education and learning |
| Children’s ages | Newborns to school age | Usually school age |
| Typical background | Childcare training, early years, first aid | Teaching qualification, tutoring, languages |
| Day-to-day | Meals, bathing, outings, school runs, bedtime | Lessons, homework, reading, curriculum, exam preparation |
| Works with | The parents and household staff | The parents, schools and tutors |
| UK salary a year | £50,000 to £95,000 | £55,000 to £100,000 |
| US salary a year | $60,000 to $170,000 | $70,000 to $130,000 |
Salaries are gross ranges based on our 2026 placements, job offers and candidates’ salary expectations. Senior, Norland-trained nannies in the UK earn £95,000 to £140,000 and above, so a top nanny can earn more than a governess.
What a nanny does
- Day-to-day care: meals, bathing, dressing, naps and bedtime.
- Safety and health, including first aid.
- Play, outings, activities and social development.
- School runs and clubs.
- Keeping the children’s rooms, clothes and equipment in order.
What a governess does
- Plans and teaches lessons, or supports the school curriculum.
- Homework, reading and exam preparation.
- Languages: many governesses are hired to teach a second or third language.
- Educational trips and enrichment.
- Keeps the children learning while the family travels or between schools.
A governess may also take on some care duties, and a nanny may help with homework. The difference is what the role is responsible for.
Which do you need?
- Babies and toddlers: a nanny.
- School-age children in a good school: usually a nanny, with tutors as needed.
- Children who travel often, are home-schooled, or are between schools: a governess.
- Children learning a new language or preparing for entrance exams: a governess, or a nanny who also tutors.
- A large family with mixed ages: often both, with clear duties for each.
Governess salary by country
| Country | Gross salary a year |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £55,000 to £100,000 |
| United States | $70,000 to $130,000 |
| Switzerland | CHF 90,000 to CHF 130,000 |
| Monaco | €80,000 to €120,000 |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 180,000 to AED 300,000 |
See the governess salary guide and the nanny salary guide for more, or the governess job description.
Hiring a nanny or governess?
Tell us the role and we send a shortlist of vetted, reference-checked candidates within 24 hours. There are no upfront fees, and every placement comes with a free replacement guarantee. Read how we recruit on our governess recruitment page and nanny recruitment page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a governess the same as a tutor? No. A tutor teaches set lessons, often by the hour. A governess is employed by the family, often full time and often live-in, and is responsible for the children’s education as a whole.
Does a governess need a teaching qualification? Not by law, but most families look for one, or for strong tutoring experience.
Who earns more, a nanny or a governess? In the UK, governesses earn £55,000 to £100,000 and nannies £50,000 to £95,000, but senior nannies can earn £95,000 to £140,000 and above.
Can one person be both? Sometimes, for younger school-age children. For older children with a real curriculum, separate roles work better.