Hire household staff directly in Lamorinda: Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga

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.

Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga share a school district, a stretch of Highway 24 and a lot of hillside, so most local families simply say "Lamorinda". HomeHire lets households here hire nannies, housekeepers, house managers, household PAs, private chefs, drivers and estate managers directly. You describe the role in a confidential brief, review structured profiles and choose whom to meet. The family is the employer.

We've combined the three towns on one page because families and household professionals move between them every day: one school run can touch all three. HomeHire's free period is nationwide, and the San Francisco Bay Area guide covers Oakland, Berkeley, Marin and the Peninsula.

What shapes household roles in Lamorinda

Three towns, one school calendar. Most children here go through the Orinda, Lafayette or Moraga elementary districts and then the Acalanes Union High School District: Miramonte in Orinda, Acalanes in Lafayette and Campolindo in Moraga. A nanny or family assistant is often juggling drop-offs in one town, swim or tennis practice in another and pick-ups in a third, so driving is usually central to the job.

Hillside homes and fire season. Much of Lamorinda backs onto open space. Defensible-space work, vegetation clearing, gutter cleaning and preparing for Public Safety Power Shutoffs are regular jobs on the household calendar from late spring into fall. That's one reason families here hire house managers or ask a housekeeper–house manager to keep vendor lists, generator checks and evacuation-ready routines up to date.

Neighborhood texture. In Orinda that means Glorietta, Sleepy Hollow, the Country Club area and Orindawoods. In Lafayette it means Happy Valley, Burton Valley, Reliez Valley and the walkable streets near downtown and the Reservoir. In Moraga, Sanders Ranch, Rheem Valley and the streets around Saint Mary's College. Larger lots in Happy Valley or Sleepy Hollow often come with pools, gardens and more vendor coordination.

Summer runs on swim and tennis clubs. Neighborhood swim and tennis clubs are the center of a Lamorinda summer, with early practices, weekend meets and long pool days. Many families switch from after-school nanny hours to full summer days from June to August, or hire a summer-only nanny or college-age helper. Say how your summer schedule differs from the school year.

Commutes. Orinda and Lafayette have BART stations, but most household work needs a car once you're off the main roads. Staff often come from elsewhere in the East Bay through the Caldecott Tunnel or along Highway 24 and I-680.

Roles Lamorinda families hire most

Roles Lamorinda families hire most
RoleWhat it often looks like locallyMore detail
Nanny / family assistantMulti-town school runs, activities, summer swim-club days, homework helpHire a nanny
HousekeeperWeekly or several-days-a-week care of larger hillside homesHire a housekeeper
House managerVendors, defensible-space and maintenance schedules, projects, deliveriesHire a house manager
Household PACalendars, travel and admin for executives commuting to SF or Walnut CreekHire a private PA
Private chefFamily meals during the school week, dinner partiesHire a private chef
DriverSchool runs, airport trips to OAK or SFOHire a chauffeur
Estate managerLarger properties or families with a Tahoe or wine-country second homeHire an estate manager

Being a household employer in Contra Costa County: what to check

Hiring directly makes you the employer. HomeHire doesn't give legal or tax advice. Check these official sources:

  • 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. Some cities and counties set higher rates, so check your city's and county's rules before agreeing an hourly rate.
  • 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.
  • Taxes and paperwork. The EDD household employer pages, IRS Publication 926 and Form I-9.
  • Insurance. Ask your insurer about workers' compensation, and about vehicle cover if staff drive your car or their own on your errands.

How hiring works on HomeHire

  1. Write a confidential brief: town, hours, school calendar, driving, pets, start date.
  2. Review structured profiles. Candidates control 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.
  5. Agree pay and duties directly, in writing.

Briefing tips for Lamorinda

  • Name the town and a general area (for example "Lafayette, Burton Valley"), never your street.
  • Say which schools and activities the role covers, and in which towns.
  • If the job includes fire-season or storm prep, list it so it isn't a surprise.
  • Say whether a car is provided, and how mileage is handled if they use their own.
  • Separate childcare from household tasks so candidates can judge the balance.

Nearby guides

San Francisco Bay Area · Los Angeles · Seattle · Denver · 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

Why does HomeHire cover Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga on one page?

The three towns share the Acalanes high school district and Highway 24, and most nanny and household roles cross town lines; one page keeps the advice in one place; your brief can still name just one town.

Can I hire a part-time house manager in Lamorinda?

Yes; part-time, temporary and project-based roles, such as fire-season preparation or a renovation, are in scope alongside full-time roles; you agree hours and pay directly.

Do Lamorinda nannies usually need a car?

Usually, yes; School runs and activities often cross all three towns; say in your brief whether you provide a car or reimburse mileage.

What does HomeHire cost families in Orinda, Lafayette or Moraga?

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

Is my brief posted as a public job ad?

Household briefs are private unless the family chooses to publish a public job listing; public listings show only the role, town/ZIP area, schedule, pay range and start date — never the family's name, address or contact details.

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