The Complete Guide to Household Staffing for Luxury Residences
Hadley Reese has placed exceptional household staff in the world's finest homes for over 25 years. Explore every role, understand compensation, and find the professionals your household deserves.
Full Estate Teams
Multi-role staffing for complex residences
Absolute Discretion
Confidential placements for UHNW families
North America-Wide Coverage
Placing household staff from Miami to Montreal, Dallas to Vancouver
Household Staffing Services
Every Role Your Household Needs, Under One Roof
A well-run luxury residence depends on the right people in the right roles. Whether you need a single housekeeper or a full estate team of ten, Hadley Reese's household staffing services connect you with professionals who bring experience, discretion, and a genuine commitment to excellence.
This guide covers every household staff role we place — from estate managers who oversee multi-property portfolios to nannies who become part of the family. Use it to understand each position, compare salaries, and take the first step toward hiring the household staff your home deserves.
Household Staff Role
Estate Manager
The estate manager is the most senior household staff position — the chief executive of your residence. This role oversees all property operations, supervises domestic staff, manages household budgets, coordinates vendors, plans events, and ensures every detail of your estate runs to the highest standard.
For families with multiple properties, the estate manager coordinates seasonal transitions, travel logistics, and remote property oversight — maintaining consistent standards across all residences.
- Full property operations and staff supervision
- Household budget management and vendor contracts
- Multi-property portfolio coordination
- Event planning and formal entertaining
- Security oversight and access management
Ideal Estate Manager Candidate
- 10+ years of experience in UHNW households
- Formal training in estate or hospitality management
- Strong financial management and budgeting capabilities
- Experience managing teams of 5–20+ staff members
- Multi-property and travel coordination expertise
- Impeccable references from principal-level clients
Household Staff Role
Butler
A butler manages the formal service dimension of a luxury household — from table setting and wine service to wardrobe care, guest reception, and front-of-house operations. The role demands polish, discretion, and an instinctive understanding of hospitality at its highest level.
Modern butlers often manage smart-home technology, coordinate with security teams, and oversee event logistics — blending traditional service skills with contemporary household management.
- Formal table service and wine cellar management
- Wardrobe care and valet services
- Guest reception and hospitality coordination
- Household organization and inventory management
- Event support and front-of-house operations
Ideal Butler Candidate
- Formal butler academy training or equivalent
- Extensive knowledge of wine, spirits, and cigars
- Experience with formal table service and etiquette
- Wardrobe management and garment care expertise
- Smart-home technology proficiency
- Absolute discretion and confidentiality
Household Staff Role
House Manager
A house manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a single residence — coordinating housekeeping teams, managing maintenance schedules, overseeing vendor relationships, and ensuring the household runs smoothly. The role is the operational backbone of any well-run home.
While the estate manager role is broader and more senior, a house manager provides focused, hands-on leadership for families who need professional management of their primary residence without the complexity of multi-property oversight.
- Daily household operations and staff scheduling
- Vendor and contractor coordination
- Maintenance scheduling and property upkeep
- Household inventory and supply management
- Calendar coordination and family logistics
Ideal House Manager Candidate
- 5+ years managing a private residence
- Strong organizational and leadership skills
- Experience coordinating housekeeping teams
- Vendor management and contract negotiation
- Proficiency with household management software
- Excellent communication and problem-solving
Household Staff Role
Housekeeper
A luxury housekeeper maintains the immaculate standards of a fine home — from deep cleaning and laundry management to specialty surface care, silver polishing, and fine fabric handling. This is often the first household staff hire and frequently the most important for day-to-day comfort.
In larger estates, housekeepers may work as part of a team supervised by a house manager. In smaller households, they often take on additional responsibilities including light cooking, errand running, and basic organizational tasks.
- Deep cleaning and daily household maintenance
- Laundry, ironing, and fine fabric care
- Silver, crystal, and specialty surface care
- Pantry stocking and household supply management
- Light meal preparation and kitchen upkeep
Ideal Housekeeper Candidate
- 3+ years in a private luxury residence
- Expertise with fine home surfaces and fabrics
- Silver, crystal, and marble care knowledge
- Reliability, discretion, and attention to detail
- Strong physical stamina and time management
- Positive, professional demeanor
Household Staff Role
Nanny & Baby Nurse
A nanny provides dedicated childcare tailored to your family's values, routines, and developmental goals. From newborn specialists and baby nurses to experienced caregivers for school-age children, Hadley Reese places nannies who become trusted members of your household.
We also place overseas nannies with multilingual capabilities and international experience — ideal for families who travel frequently or want their children to develop fluency in a second language.
- Daily childcare, feeding, and routines
- Educational activities and developmental support
- School runs, extracurricular coordination
- Light meal preparation for children
- Travel-ready and multilingual options
Ideal Nanny Candidate
- 3+ years childcare experience in private homes
- CPR/First Aid certified, up-to-date training
- Early childhood education background preferred
- Warm, nurturing, and professional demeanor
- Montessori, Waldorf, or RIE trained (optional)
- Multilingual capabilities available
Household Staff Role
Private Chef
A private chef transforms your household's dining experience — designing bespoke menus around your family's tastes, dietary needs, and lifestyle. From daily meals and wellness-focused nutrition to formal dinner parties and multi-course events, a private chef brings restaurant-calibre cuisine to your home.
Hadley Reese places both full-time private chefs and flexible personal chefs who prepare meals on a weekly or rotational basis — matching the right culinary professional to your household's dining rhythm.
- Custom menu design and daily meal preparation
- Ingredient sourcing from premium purveyors
- Dietary and wellness meal programs
- Dinner party and event catering
- Kitchen management and pantry organization
Ideal Private Chef Candidate
- Culinary degree or equivalent professional training
- Experience in fine dining or UHNW households
- Expertise in multiple international cuisines
- Dietary specialization (keto, kosher, plant-based, etc.)
- Event catering experience for 6–100+ guests
- Food safety certifications and references
Household Staff Salary Guide
Compensation at a Glance
Household staff salaries reflect the role's scope, the candidate's experience, your property size, and geographic location. These ranges represent competitive 2025 compensation for luxury households across the U.S. and Canada.
| Role | Scope | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Estate Manager | Multi-property, full staff oversight, budgets | $90K – $250K+ |
| Butler | Formal service, wine, wardrobe, hospitality | $75K – $180K+ |
| House Manager | Single-property operations, staff coordination | $70K – $130K |
| Housekeeper | Cleaning, fabric care, property maintenance | $45K – $85K |
| Nanny / Baby Nurse | Childcare, development, family support | $55K – $120K+ |
| Private Chef | Cuisine, nutrition, events, meal prep | $65K – $300K+ |
Compensation packages for luxury household staff often include housing, health benefits, vehicle allowances, and performance bonuses. Hadley Reese provides personalized salary benchmarking for every placement.
Our Process
How to Hire Household Staff
Our four-step household staffing process ensures you find the right professionals — efficiently, discreetly, and with complete confidence.
Consultation
A detailed conversation about your household, lifestyle, service expectations, and the specific roles you need to fill.
Candidate Search
We activate our vetted network to identify household staff who align with your home's culture and requirements.
Presentation
A curated shortlist with detailed profiles, verified references, and our professional assessment of each candidate.
Placement
Smooth onboarding and ongoing support — for the life of every household staffing placement we make.
Client Testimonials
Trusted by Discerning Families
I first used Hadley Reese over 20 years ago when looking for a live-in nanny. Their caring and attentive approach delivered a perfect match. More recently, I used them for a housekeeper — once again, I could not have been more pleased.
— Long-Term Client
20+ Year Relationship
We spent a good deal researching different firms. Elizabeth has been supportive, communicative, and connected us with someone we absolutely adore and trust. The entire process was smooth and professional.
— Anna W.
Montreal
Hadley Reese consistently remains at the forefront of my choices when seeking staff for various positions. As the Director of Residences for prominent families, their professionalism and quality are unmatched.
— Director of Residences
Dallas
Frequently Asked Questions
About Household Staffing
Common questions about hiring household staff through Hadley Reese — from roles and salaries to vetting and placement timelines.
Hadley Reese places estate managers, butlers, house managers, housekeepers, nannies, overseas nannies, baby nurses, and private chefs. We also accommodate requests for personal assistants, chauffeurs, domestic couples, security professionals, and other specialized household staff roles.
Household staff salaries vary significantly by role. Housekeepers earn $45,000–$85,000, house managers $70,000–$130,000, butlers $75,000–$180,000+, estate managers $90,000–$250,000+, nannies $55,000–$120,000+, and private chefs $65,000–$300,000+. Compensation packages often include housing, benefits, and bonuses. See our full salary guide above.
Every candidate undergoes comprehensive background checks, professional skills assessments, detailed reference verification, and in-person interviews before being presented to clients. We verify all employment history and evaluate each candidate specifically for the discretion and professionalism required in luxury households.
Absolutely. We regularly staff complete household teams — from estate managers and butlers to housekeepers, private chefs, and nannies — coordinating hiring across multiple roles simultaneously to ensure all positions work together seamlessly within your household culture and service standards.
An estate manager oversees larger, more complex properties — often multiple residences — with broader responsibilities including land management, security, and large staff teams. A house manager focuses on the day-to-day operations of a single household. The estate manager role carries greater scope, seniority, and compensation.
We serve luxury households across the United States and Canada — including Miami, Boca Raton, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Our household staffing agency places qualified professionals anywhere in North America.
Begin Your Search
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