Study: Stay-at-Home Mom Worth Nearly $117,000 a Year

[Dos Equis]

Study: Stay-at-Home Mom Worth Nearly $117,000 a Year
Thursday, May 08, 2008

BOSTON —  If a stay-at-home mom could be compensated in dollars rather than personal satisfaction and unconditional love, she'd rake in a nifty sum of nearly $117,000 a year.

That's according to a pre-Mother's Day study released Thursday by Salary.com, a Waltham, Mass.-based firm that studies workplace compensation.

The eighth annual survey calculated a mom's market value by studying pay levels for 10 job titles with duties that a typical mom performs, ranging from housekeeper and day care center teacher to van driver, psychologist and chief executive officer.

This year, the annual salary for a stay-at-home mom would be $116,805, while a working mom who also juggles an outside job would get $68,405 for her motherly duties.

One stay-at-home mom said the six-figure salary sounds a little low.

"I think a lot of people think we sit and home and have a lot of fun and don't do a lot of work," said Samantha Russell, a Fremont, N.H., mother who left her job as pastry chef to raise two boys, ages 2 and 4. "But they should try cleaning their house with little kids running around and messing it up right after them."

The biggest driver of a mom's theoretical salary is the amount of overtime pay she'd receive for working more than 40 hours a week. The 18,000 moms surveyed about their typical week reported working 94.4 hours — meaning they'd be spending more than half their working hours on overtime.

Working moms reported an average 54.6 hour "mom work week" besides the hours they spent at paying jobs.

Russell agreed her job as a stay-at-home mom is more than full-time. But she said her "job" brings intangible benefits she wouldn't enjoy in the workplace.

"The rewards aren't monetary, but it's a reward knowing that they're safe and happy," Russell said of her sons. "It's worth it all."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354638,00.html

[Butterbean]

I'd say they're worth at least that...being a parent must be the hardest job in the world!

[Deedee]

I don't know how working moms do it!

P.S. I always noticed when working late at my office, that lots of guys stay late consistently, without really having anything to do...just kind of hanging.  I'm convinced it's because they don't want to go home and "help." 

[Laura Lee]

I don't know how working moms do it!

P.S. I always noticed when working late at my office, that lots of guys stay late consistently, without really having anything to do...just kind of hanging.  I'm convinced it's because they don't want to go home and "help." 

You don't know how true that statement is Deedee.  Some don't because they don't want to go home to hear their wives bitch about the day with the kids as well. 

[Migs]

over inflated figure IMO.

[Thin Lizzy]

I'd say they're worth at least that...being a parent must be the hardest job in the world!

Why? One would think that it would be a joy to stay home and raise your children that you love more than anything.

[Butterbean]

Why? One would think that it would be a joy to stay home and raise your children that you love more than anything.

I'm sure it is for some people.  If I had children I would want to be at home....probably.

I'm saying in general being a parent would be incredibly tough.  Seeing your children suffer would be horrible.....worrying about how they are being treated by their friends and enemies, worrying about some pervert getting them...worrying about choices they make...worrying about their health, grades, lives etc. Trying to raise them properly so you don't scar them for life.... I think it would be very stressful.  Plus sometimes they can be a bit "challenging."

[Dos Equis]

There is no more important job in the world. 

[Laura Lee]

I'm sure it is for some people.  If I had children I would want to be at home....probably.

I'm saying in general being a parent would be incredibly tough.  Seeing your children suffer would be horrible.....worrying about how they are being treated by their friends and enemies, worrying about some pervert getting them...worrying about choices they make...worrying about their health, grades, lives etc. Trying to raise them properly so you don't scar them for life.... I think it would be very stressful.  Plus sometimes they can be a bit "challenging."

Yes, to all the above.

[Playboy]

If you paid me $117,000 per year I would be a "stay at home mom too" 

[Dos Equis]

If you paid me $117,000 per year I would be a "stay at home mom too" 

Me too.   

[Deedee]

Me too.   

Me too. Im sure your daughters are okay wih your opinion. Ask them when you are old.  And they look at you with eyes that are just uncomprehending.

[24KT]

If you paid me $117,000 per year I would be a "stay at home mom too" 

I know many a "stay-at-home Mom" earning that and even more. 

[Dos Equis]

Me too. Im sure your daughters are okay wih your opinion. Ask them when you are old.  And they look at you with eyes that are just uncomprehending.

I'll ask them when they stay home with their kids like their mom did.   

Here is an excerpt from a card one of my girl's handwrote for me (complete with typos; age deleted to protect the innocent): 

"Many reasons why I love you
Your
Smart
handsome
the most intelligent ___year-old
Nice
very sweet
And that's why I love you
Your the best ____-year-old dad in the world.
I love you very much [heart symbol]"

 

[CQ]

I would easily agree.

After owning two companies, being responsible for everything including double digit employees etc - which one could see as hard work - I took a year off work to care for my nephew from age 6 weeks to 1 year. I was trashed at the end of each day. And I am deadly serious when I say I found it far harder work than my companies.

I adore him, don't get me wrong, but I never knew babies were so much work, as I "inherited" my daughter when she was 3 so missed that stage

[Playboy]

I would easily agree.

After owning two companies, being responsible for everything including double digit employees etc - which one could see as hard work - I took a year off work to care for my nephew from age 6 weeks to 1 year. I was trashed at the end of each day. And I am deadly serious when I say I found it far harder work than my companies.

I adore him, don't get me wrong, but I never knew babies were so much work, as I "inherited" my daughter when she was 3 so missed that stage

I gotta agree with you here CQ. I looked after my 2 year old neice once for just 4 hours and I thought I was gonna have a stroke at the end of that 4 hours. Being a stay at home mom or dad is not an easy job and I would gladly go to work any day instead.

[Hustle Man]

My ex is a stay at home mom and what she did/does with the kids is well worth double the amount cited. (She homeschools all 4 of mine and through HS)

I could not do what she does, that's why I don't mind paying what I pay for her to remain at home until all of our kids are old enough to stay home alone. I gladly go above and beyond financially so that she can continue.

At home mom's are truly under-paid and it is a thankless job for many.

I always noticed when working late at my office, that lots of guys stay late consistently, without really having anything to do...just kind of hanging.  I'm convinced it's because they don't want to go home and "help." 

Some don't because they don't want to go home to hear their wives bitch about the day with the kids as well.

Truth for the most part! IMO