Hire household staff directly in Alamo and Danville

Short answer: Nanny: Typical: $21–$28/hr (about $44,000–$58,000 a year full-time); Housekeeper: Typical: $17–$28/hr (about $35,000–$58,000 a year full-time); Private chef: Typical: $40–$60/hr (about $83,000–$125,000 a year full-time); House manager: Typical: $35–$55/hr (about $73,000–$114,000 a year full-time) (salary guide). Free for families until January 2027, and candidates never pay. Agencies charge fees that vary by agency and role; HomeHire is a direct-hiring marketplace with no agency fees.

Alamo and Danville sit side by side along I-680 in the San Ramon Valley, under Mount Diablo. Alamo is unincorporated and known for large, often equestrian lots. Danville is a town with a busy downtown on Hartz Avenue, and it neighbors the gated communities of Blackhawk and Diablo. HomeHire lets families across the valley hire nannies, housekeepers, house managers, estate managers, household PAs, private chefs and drivers directly, through a confidential brief and direct introductions. The family is the employer.

We cover both places on one page because they share a school district, a freeway and a pool of household professionals. For the rest of the region, see the San Francisco Bay Area guide. Families in Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga, over the hill on Highway 24, have different commutes and fire-season routines.

What shapes household roles in the San Ramon Valley

Bigger properties, more moving parts. Round Hill and Stone Valley in Alamo, the Diablo Country Club area and Blackhawk's gated streets all have large homes, pools, gardens and, in places, barns and arenas. These households often need a house manager or estate manager rather than only a housekeeper. That means someone to run landscaping, pool and irrigation vendors, keep up with gate and HOA rules, and oversee contractors.

Hot summers. Inland heat means pool, irrigation and HVAC checks matter from May to October, and many families travel in July and August. Seasonal cover, house-sitting and pet care while the family is away are common short-term needs.

School-centered weekdays. Most families are in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, feeding Monte Vista, San Ramon Valley and other local high schools. Private options include The Athenian School in Danville. Nannies and family assistants here often handle long after-school stretches, sports across the valley and summer camp logistics.

Gated access. In Blackhawk and parts of Diablo, staff need to be added to gate lists and follow community rules for vehicles and work hours. Plan how you'll handle that after an offer, and don't put access details in a brief.

Weekend and valley life. Downtown Danville, Blackhawk Plaza and the trails of Las Trampas and Mount Diablo fill many weekends. Families with busy social calendars or regular trips to wine country or Tahoe often want flexible weekend or evening cover, which should be spelled out and paid accordingly.

Commutes. Staff usually drive in on I-680 from Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon, Dublin or Pleasanton. Many principals work at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, in Walnut Creek or in San Francisco, which shapes early-morning and evening cover.

Roles Alamo and Danville families hire most

Roles Alamo and Danville families hire most
RoleWhat it often looks like locallyMore detail
Nanny / family assistantAfter-school and activity driving, summer camps, homework, light household tasksHire a nanny
HousekeeperSeveral days a week in large homes; laundry, linens, guest roomsHire a housekeeper
House managerPool, landscape, HVAC and security vendors; HOA rules; deliveriesHire a house manager
Estate managerMulti-acre or equestrian properties, several staff, second homesHire an estate manager
Private chefFamily meals, entertaining, club-season dinnersHire a private chef
Household PACalendars, travel and personal adminHire a private PA
DriverSchool runs, airport trips to OAK or SFOHire a chauffeur

Being a household employer in Alamo or Danville: what to check

You are the employer when you hire directly. HomeHire doesn't give legal or tax advice. Useful official starting points:

  • Overtime. California's Domestic Worker Bill of Rights extends overtime pay to certain personal attendants working in the home. Other household roles fall under the state's household-occupations wage order (Wage Order 15).
  • Minimum wage. California's statewide minimum wage is the floor, and some cities and counties set higher rates. Alamo is unincorporated Contra Costa County and Danville is an incorporated town, so check the city and county rules for your address.
  • Paid sick leave. California's paid sick leave law covers employees who work at least 30 days for the same employer within a year, with narrow exceptions.
  • Registration and payroll taxes: EDD household employer pages and IRS Publication 926. Complete Form I-9 for each hire.
  • Insurance. Confirm workers' compensation and, if staff drive for you, auto coverage.

How hiring works on HomeHire

  1. Write a confidential brief: property type, duties, hours, gate or HOA considerations (in general terms), start date.
  2. Review structured profiles. Candidates choose whether they can be found.
  3. Do your own hiring checks. Contact references and confirm identity and right to work yourself. Read safety & hiring tips.
  4. Request introductions, interview and check references yourself. A paid trial day helps for house-manager roles.
  5. Agree terms directly and write them down.

Briefing tips for Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk and Diablo

  • Use the community name ("Alamo, Round Hill area") rather than an address.
  • Describe the property in broad terms: acreage, pool, animals, number of staff.
  • Separate estate duties (vendors, grounds, projects) from personal or childcare duties.
  • If you travel in summer, say whether you want house-sitting or pet care while you're away.
  • Share gate-list details only after an offer is accepted.

Nearby guides

San Francisco Bay Area · Los Angeles · Orange County · Las Vegas · How it works · Pricing · Candidates: find household work

Typical hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area

Full-time annual equivalents use hourly pay × 2,080, rounded to the nearest $1,000; gross pay before tax. Private chef estimates cover full-time work for one family. Local salary guide.

US typical range; local pay varies with local wages and minimum-wage rules.

Based on Care.com and US Bureau of Labor Statistics pay data and published household-staff salary surveys, Oct 2026. Actual pay depends on duties, hours and experience.

Typical hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area
RoleTypical pay
NannyTypical: $21–$28/hr (about $44,000–$58,000 a year full-time)
HousekeeperTypical: $17–$28/hr (about $35,000–$58,000 a year full-time)
Private chefTypical: $40–$60/hr (about $83,000–$125,000 a year full-time); Estate or high-net-worth roles: $130,000–$250,000 a year
House managerTypical: $35–$55/hr (about $73,000–$114,000 a year full-time); Estate or high-net-worth roles: $110,000–$180,000 a year

Next steps for families

HomeHire is a self-service marketplace, not an agency: families review profiles, contact candidates and hire directly, and the family is the employer. Free for families until January 2027, and candidates never pay.

Explore more hiring guides

Explore the US Salary Guide for national, state, and metro pay context.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hire an estate manager in Alamo or Blackhawk through HomeHire?

Yes; you can brief for an estate manager or house manager, review profiles and request introductions directly; the family is the employer and agrees pay and duties with the person hired.

Why are Alamo and Danville on one page?

They share the San Ramon Valley school district, I-680 and the same pool of household professionals; your brief can still name just one community.

Can I hire seasonal or house-sitting cover while we travel?

Yes; temporary and one-off direct hiring is in scope, including summer cover, house-sitting and pet care; agree dates, duties and pay directly.

What does HomeHire cost families in the San Ramon Valley?

Free for families until January 2027, and candidates never pay.

Should I put gate codes or my address in the brief?

No; keep addresses, gate codes and children's details out of your brief; share access details only after you've made and agreed an offer.

Get started with HomeHire

Start a confidential family brief · Register as a household professional

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