At some point, every parent has looked around the house mid-chaos, kids yelling, laundry piles multiplying, fridge mysteriously empty again… and wondered, “Wait… who’s in charge here?”
I know I am not the only one raising my hand here!
Running a household today is no small feat. Between managing schedules, keeping the pantry stocked, coordinating the kids’ activities, organizing birthdays, vetting contractors, and fielding texts like “What’s for dinner?” It’s a wonder anyone gets through the week without completely burning out.
This is where a household manager steps in, not as an extra pair of hands, but as the person who makes the whole system work better. Think of them as your family’s COO (Chief Operating Officer), handling everything behind the scenes so your days can flow with more ease, less stress, and dare we say… a little joy?
So, what exactly does a household manager do, and how do you know if hiring one is right for you? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is a Household Manager?
A household manager is a professional who is responsible for the overall operation and organization of a home. They can take on high-level administrative and logistical duties as well as plain old daily tasks ensuring that everything runs smoothly so you can focus on what matters most, whether that is spending time with your family, having more time to focus on your career, or taking on that hobby you have been wanting to do.
We also like to describe them as a second pair of hands, a third parent OR just another caring human who is invested in the well-being of your family.
We can all agree that at the end of the day, TIME is priceless and the most valuable! That said then, why not use that time doing the things that you value the most with the people that mean the most to you!
What Do Household Managers Actually Do?
Great question. Here’s a look at what many household manager jobs include:
- Handle household operations and logistics
- Run errands, from dry cleaning to Trader Joe’s hauls
- Oversee maintenance (Like calling the landscaper, or plumber when you need it!)
- Manage the family calendar and appointments, including Summer Camp sign ups
- Take care of the shopping list and pantry restocking
- Handle event planning… birthday parties, holidays, and school fundraisers
- Create and maintain household systems and routines
- Troubleshoot issues as they come up (because they will)
- Help with Laundry
- Take on meal prepping for the entire household
If it feels like they’re part personal assistant, part project manager, part home CEO… it’s because they are!
The Day-to-Day Magic of a Household Manager
A lot of times, the work they do is invisible… but it’s also invaluable. The fridge is stocked, the laundry is folded, the birthday gifts are wrapped, and the Amazon return was magically dropped off… and you didn’t have to lift a finger. That’s the beauty of a great house manager!
They’re the ones who make sure your life runs smoothly… even when it doesn’t feel like it behind the scenes.
Is This the Same as a Nanny or Housekeeper?
Not quite. While there’s often some overlap, house manager positions are more comprehensive and usually require higher-level organizational skills and experience.
- A housekeeper cleans, maintains, and keeps your space tidy.
- A nanny focuses on childcare, activities, and education.
- A household manager is more than just extra help, they’re the orchestrator of your household’s daily operations, from laundry and meal planning to grocery shopping and home organization. Acting as an extension of you, they bring order and ease to your family’s routine!
We actually wrote an entire article breaking everything down that you can check out here.
What About Household Management Salaries?
Here’s the scoop: household management salaries vary depending on location, responsibilities, and whether the role is part-time or full-time.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $25–$60/hour, or $50,000–$120,000 annually for full-time roles.
But before you write it off as “only for the wealthy,” hear this: many busy families hire part-time house managers just a few hours a week. Even 10–15 hours of help can be life-changing.
Do You Really Need One?
If you’re wondering whether a household manager makes sense for your situation, here’s a little gut check. This role may be a lifesaver if:
- You and/or your partner work full-time and feel like you’re drowning in logistics
- You’ve got help with the household already (i.e. nanny and/or housekeeper) but no one managing them
- Overall need better helping with a more streamlined system of your household
- Your to-do list keeps growing faster than you can complete it
- You’re feeling the mental load of remembering everything for everyone
- You want to reclaim time with your family instead of constantly playing catch-up
In other words, a household manager might not be a luxury… it might be your lifeline.
What Kind of Background Do Household Managers Have?
There’s no one-size-fits-all background for a household manager. Many start in caregiving roles like nannying, while others are simply smart, ambitious, and caring individuals who thrive on helping families run smoothly.
While some have college degrees or hospitality experience, the real essentials are strong people skills, clear communication, and the ability to stay calm and flexible when life gets messy (because it will).
How to Hire One Without Losing Your Mind
Good news: You don’t have to do this alone. At Sage Haus, we specialize in connecting families with the right-fit household help, and we’ve created tools to make it easier.
Start With This:
- Take our FREE quiz here and find out how many hours you actually spend managing your home!
- Then, when you’re ready to offload the overwhelm, we’ve got you covered. At Sage Haus, our Private Recruiting Service is built for families who are ready to have it all without doing it all. We handle the entire hiring process… start to finish… including:
- Personalized Recruiting & Hiring
- Candidate Vetting & Reference Checks
- Concierge Interview Scheduling
- Background Checks
- Comprehensive Onboarding Support
- Home Systems Playbook
- 60-Day Guarantee
You stay in control, but we handle the heavy lifting. Let us help you find the right person to bring peace and ease to your home.
[Learn more about our Private Recruiting Service here.]
You’re Still the Boss—You’re Just Not Doing It Alone Anymore
Bringing in a household manager isn’t about giving up control, it’s about giving yourself support. You still call the shots. You still set the tone. But now you’ve got someone who can help carry the weight so you can show up fully… for your family, your work, and yourself. They are the Robin to your Batman!
If you’re ready to explore what this kind of help could look like, download our Hiring a House Manager Starter Kit, or schedule a consultation with us at Sage Haus. We’ll help you find your modern-day Mary Poppins (but with a Google calendar and a label maker).
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