It’s tough to put a price tag on all the things moms do for their families, but a new report gives it a shot. While a mom’s contributions may be priceless, Insure.com’s latest Mother’s Day Index adds up what moms would make if they got paid for all their unpaid work around the house and for the family. And it’s a solid reminder of just how much moms do.
According to the 15th annual Mother’s Day Index, moms would have earned a salary of $145,235 for their work at home and with the family over the past year.
- That’s 4% more than last year’s salary of $140,315, and it includes everything from cooking meals to caregiving to cleaning to providing emotional support.
- To come up with the amounts, Insure.com’s team analyzes U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage information to get an hourly rate for jobs moms commonly do, like doing laundry and helping with homework.
- The team estimates how many hours each task takes, then comes up with an annual salary.
- For example, for cooking, they estimate moms spend around 14 hours a week making meals and cooks earn an average of $17.14 an hour. That comes out to $12,478 for a year.
The professions moms cover and how much they would get paid for that work includes:
- Accountant - .5 hours a week - $1,169 for the year
- Baker - 3 hours a week - $435
- Chauffeur/driver - 9 hours a week - $8,794
- Childcare worker - 40 hours a week - $33,134
- Cook - 14 hours a week - $12,478
- Elementary school teacher - 20 hours per week - $24,156
- Hairstylist - .5 hours a week - $543
- Landscaping - 1 hour a week - $1,022
- Laundry worker - 4 hours a week - $3,268
- Maid - 10 hours a week - $9,043
- Meeting planner - 8 hours a week - $2,003
- Mental health counselor - 5 hours a week - $5,584
- Private detective/investigator - 5 hours a week - $1,186
Source: Insure
Scott's Thoughts:
- We could never afford to pay moms for all they do, but a heartfelt “thank you” is a good start!
- Hey what about us dads? Especially in split households!
- Mom gets paid in LOVE... hopefully.