Start your journey as an au pair in the USA
Spend 12 to 24 months living with an American host family, caring for their children, and experiencing everyday life in the USA.
As an au pair in the USA, you’ll:
- Improve your English naturally
- Build lifelong friendships
- Grow personally and professionally
Go beyond the typical tourist experience and see the USA from the inside. Being an au pair in the USA means joining a family and truly becoming part of American culture.
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and real au pair stories!
Your Program Highlights
✈️ Start when you're ready: year-round, flexible departures possible
🗺️ Explore the US: 1 whole travel month after successful completion of the program
🛡️ We've got you covered: carefree service package, including flights and insurance (covered by your host family), at least $215 weekly stipend and two weeks of paid vacation
📝Fully compliant and transparent: official employment contract in line with U.S. Department of State regulations
⭐ Backed by experience: we are a long-standing American organization recognized by the U.S. Department of State
🎓 Take a step into American college life: get $500 for college courses of your choice (6 credits or 60 hours per year)
⏳ Keep living the dream longer: extend your stay by 6, 9, or 12 months
🔄 Want to do it all again? You can repeat your au pair year in America
More info
👉 Learn more about what to expect as an au pair from your daily tasks to program requirements and how the placement process works from start to finish.
Not sure if being an au pair is the right choice for you? Here are five honest reasons why this experience might be just what you're looking for, with real inside into another culture, personal growth, and unforgettable memories.
Step by Step Through Your Au Pair Journey
📝 Sign up — no strings attached
You would like to go to the US? Great, so let's get the ball rolling! Simply fill out our short, non-binding application. From there, we will check together whether you meet all the necessary requirements and talk through the next steps.
📄 Create your au pair profile
If you're ready to get serious, you can start working on your application profile. Potential host families use this profile to get an idea of who you are and whether you're a good match for their home.
💬 Let's Chat
At this point, we'll schedule an interview to review your application process and answer any open questions. Part of this interview will be in English, but no worries. This isn't a test, just a chance for you to get comfortable speaking English.
🤝 Find the perfect match
Once your au pair profile is complete, the exciting part begins! As soon as a host family is interested in you, you'll get all the details you need to contact them. Now it's up to both of you to connect and see if it's the right fit.
🎉 Close the Deal
You have found the right match? Amazing! Now it's time to work out all the details with your host family and agree on your arrival date. Your adventure abroad is just around the corner!
🤗 Welcome to the AuPairCare family
Once you've matched with a family, you are officially joining the AuPairCare program! After your program fees are paid, we will send you everything you need, including your visa application documents and insurance paperwork.
🧳 Get ready to live your dream
After receiving your visa, it's time to get ready. As part of the Virtual AuPairCare Academy, you will participate in webinars and online seminars with other future au pairs, giving you all the tools and tips for your life as an au pair.
🚕 Hello, New York!
You'll start in NYC together with other au pairs. Spend two days in this exciting city, exploring the sights, making friends, and shaking off your jet lag. After that, you'll continue on to your host family, and your au pair year officially begins.
🧑🤝🧑Questions? Problems? We're here to support!
Challenges and roadblocks are normal and can always happen. If you need advice, we're always there for you, Your AuPairCare area director will schedule regular check-ins and monthly meetings with local au pairs so you can share your experiences.
🗺️ See more, stay longer
After your au pair year, you have one month to travel and explore whatever part of the country you like. Want to keep going? You can extend your stay for up to two years total and continue living the dream.
👋 Keep in touch!
Want to stay connected and share your experiences with future au pairs? We'd love to keep you in the AuPairCare family. Whether you want to become a representative, join info events, write a blog post or share photos — we're happy to hear from you!
🤝 Why Choose AuPairCare
We know what it’s like to live abroad, because most of us have done it ourselves.
For over 30 years, we’ve helped future au pairs turn their dream into reality. Many of us were au pairs or took part in exchange programs, so we understand the ups and downs that come with it.
With our team in Europe and the USA, you’ll have support at every step — before, during, and after your stay.
Meet your program advisor Nora
Nora has been with AuPairCare for over 5 years. She herself spent 12 months living in Virginia as an au pair in the USA.
"Everyone should have an experience abroad; it really changes you and makes you grow! You meet friends that you keep forever!"
Meet your program advisor Manon
Manon has been with us since 2023 and spent a year in Guildford, England as an au pair.
"This amazing experience taught me a lot about the world but also about myself; it helped me grow as a person."
Meet your program advisor Esther
Esther has been a program advisor at AuPairCare since 2022 and a representative since 2014. She spent a year as an au pair each in London, New York, and Buenos Aires and truly knows the journey.
"These amazing experiences have shaped my life. I'm thrilled to support young candidates who are eager to create unforgettable memories abroad."
🫶 Curious to meet the rest of the team?
Find out more about AuPairCare and the people who work behind the scenes.
Write us on WhatsApp!
Questions about your au pair year in America? Send us a WhatsApp message at +49 30 84 39 39 91. We're here for you Monday to Friday between 9 am to 5 pm. We're happy to chat and help you out! 😊
It all starts...in New York City!
Ease into your adventure by spending your first two days in New York, getting to know other au pairs, exploring the sights, and relaxing before heading to your host family. It’s the perfect way to begin!
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Touch down in New York City and dive into your au pair adventure! 🗽 Meet new friends, explore iconic sights, and kick off your year in the USA with an unforgettable start.
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Earn $1000 more with Us! 💸
Earn more with AuPairCare! Being an au pair means working responsibly and being reliable. We want to show you how much we appreciate your fantastic work and dedication by raising the weekly stipend from $195,75 to $215, which earns you $1001 more per year!
Apply now and become an au pair with us!
Your placement in the USA
The USA is huge and incredibly diverse, and so are our host families.
Most live in suburbs near big cities on the East or West Coast.
Placements are also possible in:
- the Chicago area
- major cities in the Midwest
Wherever your host family lives, each placement offers something unique and unforgettable.
Five Key States for Au Pair Placements
Au Pair Life Beyond the Big Five
In these blog posts, former au pairs share what it’s really like to live in some of the USA’s lesser-known states.
Whether it’s:
- stunning nature
- close-knit communities
- or surprising opportunities
— these regions offer experiences you might not expect.
From application to your perfect match: Learn more about our host families and the matching process!
Your Program Costs, Our Services 💰
Curious about what you’re paying for? Get a full breakdown of your program costs, see what’s included (and what’s not), and explore discounts that make your au pair year even more affordable.
To take part in the au pair program in the USA, you'll need to meet a few key requirements:
# You are between 18 and 26 years old
# You have experience in childcare
# You hold a valid driver's license
Want to know what else is required?
Read more
Your safety is a top priority. Every participant is covered by a comprehensive insurance package, including
# health and liability insurance
# car coverage
# protection for lost baggage
Find out more about the details of your au pair insurance.
Learn more
To become an au pair in the USA, you’ll need a J-1 visa, which you can only get through a designated sponsor like AuPairCare. We’ll guide you through the process step by step, so you know exactly what to expect and how to apply.
Read more
Au pair extension & repeat programs
One year in the USA might sound like a long time—but for many au pairs, it’s just not enough! That’s why we offer the chance to extend your stay by up to 12 months or return later for a second au pair adventure at a reduced program fee.
Extent your Au pair year
Want to stay longer? Extend your adventure in the USA by 6, 9, or 12 months! You can continue living with your current host family or apply to match with a new one for your extension period. And don’t worry, you won’t miss out on your travel month. You can simply add it after your extended stay!
Repeat the adventure
You’ve successfully completed your first au pair year in the USA and received your certificate of completion? Then it’s time for round two—this time with €200 off your program fee!
To be eligible for the repeat program, you must have lived outside the USA for at least two years since your last au pair stay.