High-Paying Domestic Jobs in Texas 2025

Texas is booming in domestic employment—from live-in nannies and elder caregivers to housekeepers, house managers, and private cooks. Thanks to a lower cost of living than coastal states and a growing base of seniors and busy professionals, wages are competitive, contracts are more formal, and benefits are increasingly common. Use this transactional guide to target the right cities, prepare winning applications, navigate visa options, and secure reliable, well-paid roles in 2025.

Why Choose Domestic Jobs in Texas (High Pay & Demand)

  • Strong demand across metro & suburban areas: Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, plus oil-rich towns with fewer applicants.

  • Better savings potential: Lower rent and living costs vs. CA/NY while hourly and weekly rates remain strong.

  • Professionalized hiring: More families use agencies, written contracts, and wage-law compliance.

  • Role diversity: Live-in nanny, newborn care, senior companion, house manager/estate manager, personal chef, and deep-clean specialists.

Entry-Level Skills and Experience Required

Core Skills Employers Expect

  • Clear communication (English): follow routines, share updates, understand lists and instructions.

  • Organization & time management: self-directed cleaning schedules, school runs, meal prep, errands.

  • Housekeeping fundamentals: safe chemical use, laundry care, surface/linen standards, equipment handling.

  • Trust & reliability: clean background checks, verifiable references, punctuality, discretion.

Credentials That Boost Pay

  • CPR/First Aid, basic caregiving training, dementia/Alzheimer’s awareness (for elder care).

  • Early childhood coursework (for nannies), newborn care specialist (NCS) certificates.

  • Food handler card or culinary training (for cooks), pet-care experience for multi-pet homes.

Regions with the Highest Payment Structures

Houston (River Oaks, The Heights, Bellaire)

High job volume and strong pay; live-in roles often include room, meals, and utilities.

Dallas–Fort Worth (Highland Park, Plano, Southlake)

Premium for elder care and house managers; weekly rates commonly outpace state averages.

Austin (Westlake Hills, Lakeway, Downtown)

Tech-driven families; $20–$25+/hour common for experienced nannies/housekeepers; higher COL but strong benefits.

San Antonio (Alamo Heights, Stone Oak)

Slightly lower median wages than Houston/Austin, but lower costs enable savings on steady full-time roles.

Midland–Odessa & Smaller Oil-Area Towns

Fewer candidates; families pay premium rates and offer robust live-in benefits to secure talent.

Salary Expectations in 2025 (Guide, Not Guarantees)

Hourly & Weekly Ranges

  • Housekeeping/Cleaning: $15–$22/hour (up to $30/hour via premium agencies or for deep cleans).

  • Live-in Nanny / Live-in Caregiver: $600–$750/week (entry) to $900–$1,200+/week (experienced/specialized).

  • Private Chef / House Manager / Estate Staff: $60,000–$90,000/year depending on scope, staff oversight, events, travel.

  • Part-time/Weekends: $120–$180/day for deep cleans, babysitting, event support.

What Moves You Up the Pay Bands

  • Specialty skills (newborn care, special needs, memory care).

  • Live-in flexibility, travel readiness, and schedule coverage (nights/weekends).

  • Strong references and background transparency via reputable agencies.

Visa Types & Options for Domestic Workers (Overview)

This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current USCIS and consular rules.

Common Pathways Mentioned by Employers/Agencies

  • B-1 (Domestic Employee) – limited use: For domestic workers accompanying a non-immigrant employer visiting the U.S. temporarily. Short duration; specific conditions.

  • A-3 / G-5: For domestic workers accompanying diplomats or international organization officials on assignment. Contract and prevailing wage rules apply.

  • H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural): Sometimes used by staffing companies/households for seasonal, peak-load needs. Employer must prove labor shortage and pay prevailing wages.

  • Employment-based options via agencies: Some home-care or staffing firms help eligible workers transition status (case-by-case).

Avoid under-the-table work. Legal authorization protects pay, safety, and future status.

How to Secure High-Paying Domestic Jobs in Texas

Step 1: Build a Texas-Ready Resume (1 Page)

  • Top summary (3 lines): role (e.g., “Live-in Nanny & Housekeeper”), years, specialties (infant care/elder care/pet care), driver’s license, live-in availability.

  • Impact bullets (results-oriented):

    • “Reduced weekly housekeeping time by 25% with zoning checklist.”

    • “Managed 2 kids under 5: school runs, meal prep, bath/bed routines.”

    • “Coordinated elder meds/schedule; zero missed appointments in 6 months.”

  • Certs: CPR/First Aid, food handler, CNA/NCS (if any).

  • References: 2–3 contactable, recent.

Step 2: Prep Your “Fast-Hire” Document Pack

  • Government ID, work authorization/visa info.

  • Background check (if available), reference letters, driving record for family driving roles.

  • Any training certificates; vaccination record if requested by families with infants/seniors.

Step 3: Target the Best-Fit Markets & Roles

  • Decide live-in vs. live-out, weekday vs. weekend focus, and preferred city cluster (e.g., Houston or DFW).

  • Shortlist 5–8 agencies + 3–5 platforms (see below) and apply in parallel.

Step 4: Interview Like a Pro (In-Person or Video)

  • Dress neatly; bring a simple household plan (sample daily/weekly checklist).

  • Discuss safety (childproofing/elder fall prevention), routine meals, laundry care, pet routines.

  • Set expectations: off-days, sleep arrangements (live-in), transport, paid time off, and boundaries.

Step 5: Get It in Writing

  • Offer letter/contract covering pay, hours, overtime, live-in terms, room/board, duties, confidentiality, termination/notice, and payroll/taxes.

Companies & Agencies Hiring Domestic Workers in Texas

  • Morningside Nannies (Houston): Nannies/housekeepers; thorough screening; premium families.

  • Household Staffing International (statewide): House managers, chefs, butlers, estate couples; top-tier salaries.

  • GreatAuPair (Texas placements): Nannies, caregivers; supports international candidates in select programs.

  • The Nanny League; College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors (Austin & major metros): Nanny/sitter placements with training and payroll support.

  • Caring Senior Service; Visiting Angels (many TX cities): Elder care, companion care; some live-in roles.

  • Cleaning brands: MaidPro, Molly Maid, The Cleaning Authority—steady housekeeping shifts and client routes.

Tip: Apply to 2–3 agencies per metro plus direct-to-family platforms to maximize interviews.

Best Job Boards & Platforms (Domestic & Care)

  • Care.com (Pro/Verified) – Housekeeping, nannying, senior care; robust employer pool.

  • UrbanSitter – Fast fills in Houston, Dallas, Austin; childcare-first with add-on house help.

  • Indeed – Agency and private household listings; use filters: private housekeeper, live-in nanny, caregiver.

  • Housekeeper.com / ElderCare.com – Direct messaging with families for cleaning and eldercare.

  • GreatAuPair / AuPairWorld – Childcare exchange and private family roles; check visa program details.

  • Facebook Groups & Local Boards – Use only verified posts; insist on contracts and in-person/video interviews.

Message Templates You Can Copy

Initial Outreach (Family or Agency)

Subject: Live-in Caregiver/Housekeeper – Ready to Start in Texas
Hello [Name], I’m interested in your [Role] in [City]. I have [X years] experience in [childcare/elder care/housekeeping], CPR/First Aid, and contactable references. I’m available for [live-in/live-out], can work weekends, and can start on [date]. May I send my resume and references?

Pay & Terms Clarification (After Interview)

Thanks for meeting today. Could you please confirm the hourly/weekly rate, schedule, live-in arrangements (room/board), paid time off, and payroll/tax setup? I’m excited to proceed and can start on [date].

Negotiation Tactics That Work

  • Bundle duties: “I can handle school runs + light cooking—could we adjust to $X/hour?”

  • Commitment trade: “With a 12-month commitment, could we include two paid sick days and one personal day monthly?”

  • Live-in value: Calculate room/board and discuss a fair cash + benefits package.

Red Flags & How to Avoid Them

  • No written contract, unclear duties, or pressure to skip payroll/taxes.

  • Requests for upfront payments or “processing fees.”

  • Refusal to provide a safe sleep space (live-in), off-days, or breaks.

  • Vague background check policies or resistance to reference checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need formal training?

Not required, but CPR/First Aid and targeted certificates (newborn care, CNA) can raise pay and speed hiring.

Can domestic jobs include benefits?

Yes—common benefits: room/board (live-in), paid time off, healthcare stipends, mileage, and holiday pay.

Are there visa-sponsored domestic roles?

Some exist via A-3/G-5, B-1 (accompanying), or H-2B in limited cases. Always verify the employer’s legal ability to sponsor and use a written contract.

How fast can I get hired?

With documents and references ready, many workers secure interviews within 1–2 weeks on major Texas platforms.

Clear Next Steps

  1. Pick a metro: Houston, DFW, Austin, or San Antonio (plus one backup region).

  2. Build a one-page resume with results-focused bullets and attach 2–3 references.

  3. Create profiles on Care.com + one niche site (Housekeeper.com or ElderCare.com) + apply to 2 agencies in your target city.

  4. Prepare your document pack (ID/work auth, certifications, background check, driving record).

  5. Interview, negotiate, and sign a contract, then set a firm start date.

More Related Posts