High-paying domestic jobs in Texas are concentrated in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, where wealthy households employ nannies, housekeepers, house managers, private chefs and caregivers. Experienced staff in these cities earn well above the state’s low minimum wage, and senior household roles can pay $80,000 to $120,000 or more a year.
Two points need to be clear from the start. First, the top figures go to experienced professionals with verifiable references, not to beginners. Second, private households almost never sponsor work visas. The realistic visa routes are narrow: the J-1 au pair program, the B-1 domestic employee visa for staff who travel with an existing employer, and the slow EB-3 green card. Most of these jobs go to people who already have US work authorization.
What do domestic jobs in Texas pay in 2026?
The ranges below are approximate, based on typical agency and job board rates at the time of writing. Pay varies with experience, number of children, size of the home and whether the role is live-in.
| Role | Typical pay in major Texas cities | What raises pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nanny | $20 to $30 an hour | Infant care, multiples, teaching background, travel |
| Newborn care specialist | $30 to $45 an hour | Overnight work, specialist training |
| Housekeeper | $18 to $28 an hour | Large homes, laundry and wardrobe care, fine surfaces |
| Executive or head housekeeper | $60,000 to $85,000 a year | Supervising staff, estate experience |
| House manager | $70,000 to $120,000 a year | Vendor management, budgets, multiple properties |
| Private chef | $70,000 to $130,000 a year | Culinary training, special diets, entertaining |
| Home caregiver or home health aide | $13 to $20 an hour | Certification, dementia care, private hire |
Caregiving is the exception to “high-paying”. Agency caregivers in Texas are often paid close to the bottom of that range, and the better rates come from private families who hire directly.
Houston, Dallas and Austin compared
Houston’s demand comes from energy and medical executives in neighborhoods such as River Oaks, Memorial and The Woodlands. In Dallas-Fort Worth, Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, Southlake and Westlake are the main markets. Austin’s technology wealth has pushed nanny and chef rates up, and its housing costs are the highest of the three.
Why does pay go further in Texas?
Texas has no state income tax on wages, so your paycheck has only federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare withheld. Housing is cheaper than in California or New York, though rents in Austin and central Dallas have risen sharply. If you are new to the country, our guide to affordable co-living spaces in the USA covers renting without a US credit history.
The state minimum wage matches the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour. That is a legal floor only. No reputable family or agency in the major cities hires skilled household staff at that rate.
What skills and checks do employers expect?
- References: at least two or three years of verifiable experience in private homes for senior roles.
- Background screening: criminal record and driving record checks are standard, and many families ask for a drug test.
- Driving: Texas cities are spread out. A valid license and clean record are close to essential for nannies and house managers.
- Safety training: CPR and first aid certification for anyone caring for children or older adults.
- Trade skills: culinary training for chefs, certified nursing assistant training for caregivers, and knowledge of smart-home and security systems for house managers.
- Discretion: confidentiality agreements are common in high-net-worth households.
- Languages: English is expected, and Spanish is a real advantage in Texas.
How do household employment taxes work?
A nanny, housekeeper or caregiver who works in a family’s home under the family’s direction is normally the family’s employee, not an independent contractor. That matters for your pay and your protection.
- If your wages pass an annual threshold set by the IRS, the family must withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. The threshold changes each year and is published in IRS Publication 926.
- The family should give you a Form W-2 each January, not a Form 1099.
- Families also pay federal unemployment tax and Texas unemployment tax through the Texas Workforce Commission.
- Being paid legally builds your Social Security record and gives you proof of income for renting an apartment, a car loan or a mortgage application.
Under federal law, most domestic workers must receive at least the minimum wage and overtime at one and a half times their rate after 40 hours in a week. Live-in employees are generally exempt from the overtime rule when employed directly by the household, but they must still be paid for every hour worked. Ask for a written work agreement covering hours, pay, overtime, paid time off and duties. This article is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Can foreigners get a visa for domestic work in Texas?
There is no general work visa for household staff. These are the routes that exist.
| Route | How it works | Main limits |
|---|---|---|
| J-1 au pair | Cultural exchange through a sponsor agency designated by the State Department; live with a host family and provide childcare | Age 18 to 26, up to 45 hours a week, weekly stipend, 12 months with possible extension |
| B-1 domestic employee | For staff accompanying an employer who is a nonimmigrant visa holder or a US citizen living abroad who visits temporarily | You must already work for that employer; a Texas family cannot use it to recruit from abroad |
| A-3 and G-5 | For personal employees of diplomats and international organization staff | Tied to the diplomat’s posting |
| EB-3 other workers | Permanent green card through PERM labor certification filed by the employer | Employer pays PERM costs; long backlog, often many years |
| H-2B | Temporary non-agricultural work | The need must be seasonal or one-time, so ordinary household jobs rarely qualify |
Our guide to the EB-3 green card process explains the steps and waiting times. For a broader view of status and work rights, read immigrant jobs in the USA.
Who can take these jobs now?
US citizens, green card holders, refugees and asylees, and people holding a valid Employment Authorization Document can work for any family. Working in a home without authorization leaves you exposed to underpayment and abuse, and it can damage future immigration applications.
How to find domestic jobs in Texas: step by step
- Confirm your work authorization. Families and agencies complete Form I-9 when they hire.
- Build a professional résumé. List each household position with dates, ages of children or size of home, and specific duties.
- Collect written references. Letters with phone numbers from past employers carry more weight than any certificate.
- Register with reputable agencies. Domestic staffing agencies in Houston, Dallas and Austin place nannies, housekeepers and estate staff. The family pays the placement fee.
- Use established platforms. Care.com and Sittercity list family jobs. Industry bodies such as the International Nanny Association publish standards and training resources.
- Prepare for a working interview. A paid trial day or week is normal before a permanent offer.
- Sign a work agreement. Get pay, schedule, overtime, benefits and notice terms in writing before you start.
What benefits and insurance should you ask about?
Private households are not required to offer health insurance, but many senior roles include a contribution. Common benefits to negotiate include:
- A health insurance stipend or a QSEHRA arrangement that reimburses premiums
- Paid vacation, sick days and federal holidays
- Guaranteed hours, so that you are paid when the family travels
- Mileage reimbursement when you use your own car
- Workers’ compensation cover, which is optional for most private employers in Texas, so ask whether the family carries it
If no health benefit is offered, compare plans on HealthCare.gov during open enrollment, which runs from November 1 to January 15 in most states. Eligibility for subsidies depends on income and immigration status, so check the current rules. If you drive for work, tell your auto insurer, because a personal policy may not cover business use.
What legitimate employers never ask for
False nanny and housekeeper offers are common. Typical signs are a family that hires you without an interview, sends a check and asks you to forward part of it, or promises visa sponsorship in return for a fee. Real employers and agencies do not charge workers for a job, and only designated sponsor agencies can place J-1 au pairs. The State Department publishes the list of designated sponsors on its exchange visitor program website.
If you experience unpaid wages, confiscated documents or threats, contact the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor or the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do live-in domestic jobs in Texas include free housing?
Usually a private room and meals are provided. Federal rules limit when an employer may count lodging toward wages, and it must be voluntary and documented. Make sure your agreement states your cash pay separately from room and board.
Can an au pair stay in Texas permanently after the program?
The J-1 au pair program is temporary and does not lead directly to a green card. Some participants later return as students or through family or employment routes. Plan on going home when the program ends unless you qualify for another status.
How much do agencies charge domestic workers?
Reputable placement agencies charge the hiring family, not the candidate. An agency that asks you for a registration or placement fee should be treated with caution.
Is a house manager the same as a housekeeper?
No. A housekeeper cleans and maintains the home. A house manager runs the household: scheduling contractors, managing staff, handling budgets and preparing for guests. The manager role pays more and usually requires prior experience in private service or hospitality.
Are domestic workers covered by anti-discrimination law?
Federal anti-discrimination law applies to employers above a minimum number of employees, so many single-household employers fall outside it. Wage law still applies, and serious abuse is covered by criminal law. A written agreement and a reputable agency give you added protection.
Bottom line
Domestic work in Texas can pay well, from $20 to $30 an hour for experienced nannies to six figures for house managers and private chefs. The jobs are open mainly to people who already hold US work authorization, since visa options are few and slow. Build strong references, insist on legal pay with a written agreement and do not pay anyone who claims to sell a job or a visa.