2026 EDITION

What an expat-family nanny actually costs in Shanghai.

Renminbi-quoted monthly bands by tier, position type, and neighborhood premium. Refreshed for 2026, drawn from our partner-agency network and reader-shared compensation.

Salary reference

2026 Shanghai nanny monthly compensation bands

Renminbi, gross monthly. Employer social-insurance contributions are additional.

Premium-bilingual placements typically include a 13th-month bonus and paid leave package. Tier-by-tier inclusions are detailed on the salary page.

Live-out bands — broken down by tier

entry tier

Entry tier

live-out

¥6,000–¥9,000

/ month

Mandarin-only ayi, general household + childcare, 3-5 yrs experience

Lunch on shift
Holidays per Chinese labor norms

mid tier

Mid tier

live-out

¥9,000–¥15,000

/ month

Mandarin-only ayi with strong references, or basic-English nanny, 5-8 yrs experience

Lunch on shift
Annual bonus (1 month)
Paid sick leave

premium tier

Premium bilingual

live-out

¥15,000–¥25,000

/ month

Bilingual Mandarin + English nanny, certificate or international-family track record

Lunch on shift
13th-month bonus
Paid sick + annual leave
Annual professional-development stipend

Live-in bands — broken down by tier

entry tier

Entry tier

live-in

¥8,000–¥12,000

/ month

Mandarin-only live-in ayi, household + childcare, 3-5 yrs experience

Room + board
1 day off per week

mid tier

Mid tier

live-in

¥12,000–¥18,000

/ month

Mandarin-only live-in with strong references, or basic-English live-in

Room + board
1.5 days off per week
Annual bonus (1 month)

premium tier

Premium bilingual

live-in

¥18,000–¥30,000

/ month

Bilingual Mandarin + English live-in nanny, certified or international-family experience

Room + board
2 days off per week
13th-month bonus
Paid leave package

Neighborhood premium

Former French Concession	+5-10% (compound housing premium)
Jing'an	+5%
Lujiazui	+5-10%
Pudong-Jinqiao	+0-5%
Hongqiao Gubei	+0%
Xintiandi	+5%
Minhang-Hongqiao	0%
Songjiang Forest	-5%

Frequently asked

Salary questions we hear often

Do these numbers include employer social-insurance contributions?

No. The bands quote gross monthly compensation paid to the nanny. Employer social-insurance contributions are additional and typically run 35–45% on top of gross, depending on Hukou status. We'll model the all-in cost during your consult.

Should I tip my nanny at Chinese New Year?

Yes. A 13th-month bonus (one full month's salary) is the most common practice for full-time nannies, paid the week before Spring Festival. Red-envelope norms vary by household; see red envelope norms for the specifics.

What's the hourly rate for a part-time ayi?

¥40–90/hr depending on language requirements and task scope. Cleaning-only Mandarin ayis sit at the bottom; basic-English nannies handling childcare + light cooking sit at the top. Premium-bilingual after-school help is closer to ¥120/hr in 2026.

Next step

Talk to us about your family's needs

Twenty minutes on a call is usually enough to map out the salary band, neighborhood, and timeline. No upfront fee.

Request a consult Book a 20-minute call