Inside the Numbers: 2025 Trends in Estate and Household Staff Compensation

If your household is struggling with turnover, pay stagnation, or difficulty hiring, this report may serve as the push you need to reassess your compensation structure and align it with current market realities.

As the domestic staffing industry continues to evolve, the 2024–2025 Estate & Household Staff Compensation Report, a collaborative effort between Botoff Consulting and Morgan Stanley, delivers vital insights into how top-tier private service professionals are being compensated across the United States. Based on data from over 300 family offices and private households, the report benchmarks compensation for more than 30 key roles, from estate managers and chefs to housekeepers and personal assistants.

Whether you're an employer aiming to retain top talent or a candidate navigating your worth in today’s market, this year’s findings shed light on the financial realities and emerging trends that are shaping the domestic staffing landscape.

Compensation Trends: Raises, Bonuses & Retention Incentives

One of the most notable takeaways from the 2025 report is the steady upward movement in base salaries across nearly every role:

• 45% of estate managers and senior-level staff received raises of 4% or more

• Many employers have adopted performance-based bonuses or end- of-year incentives to drive retention

• A growing number of households now offer long-term financial incentives, including deferred bonuses and profit-sharing plans

  
  

This shift reflects the increased difficulty of recruiting and retaining skilled, experienced private staff in today’s tight labor market.

Regional Pay Differentials: Location Still Matters

The report confirms what many industry insiders already know: where you work dramatically affects what you earn.

• Roles based in New York City, San Francisco, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons command the highest salaries, often 15–25% above national averages

• Meanwhile, households in secondary markets (e.g., Denver, Austin, Nashville) are beginning to narrow the gap to attract talent who might otherwise relocate for higher pay

  
  

For families hiring in highly competitive metro areas, offering relocation assistance or housing stipends may no longer be optional.

Job Roles in High Demand

The report highlights specific roles that are seeing surging demand and compensation growth:

• Estate Managers: Compensation packages are trending higher due to the complexity of multi-property oversight, construction project management, and integration with family office operations

• Executive Personal Assistants: As hybrid roles expand, many principals seek assistants who can handle both professional and household duties, including travel, scheduling, and tech coordination

• Private Chefs and Wellness Staff: The wellness trend continues with many families seeking full-time chefs, nutritionists, or fitness instructors as permanent staff

New Compensation Strategies for 2025

What’s clear from the report is that employers are getting more strategic with how they attract and retain talent. Key tactics include:

• Clear career paths and room for professional growth within the household or estate

• Flexible work arrangements, particularly for hybrid EA/PA roles

• Formalized annual reviews tied to compensation discussions

• Retention bonuses for staff who commit to multi-year terms

This professionalization reflects a broader shift: private service is no longer just a job; it’s a career, and top candidates are choosing environments where they feel valued and supported.

What It Means for Principals and Employers

For estate owners and family offices, the takeaway is simple: compensation must reflect both market conditions and the increasing professionalism of the workforce. Competitive salaries are now just the starting point as benefits, respect, and clear expectations matter more than ever.

Ready to Learn More?

The full 2024–2025 Estate & Household Staff Compensation Report is available for purchase through Botoff Consulting. Summary versions are also available through participating platforms like Nines Living and select Morgan Stanley advisors.