For private employers

Hire household staff without paying agency fees

A placement agency can charge thousands of dollars for one hire. On Jobinary you post your job once, for a flat price, and talk to candidates directly. Your first job post is free.

Employer and new hire shaking hands

What agencies usually charge

Most domestic staffing agencies charge a placement fee when you hire someone they introduce. It is commonly a percentage of the employee’s first-year pay. As one example, a published agency fee schedule lists 20% of first-year gross pay for full-time roles and 25% for part-time roles, plus a $1,500 search fee paid up front.

Here is what a 20% fee looks like on typical salaries:

Role and salary20% placement feeJobinary
Housekeeper, $70,000 a year$14,000First post free, then $49
Nanny, $90,000 a year$18,000First post free, then $49
House manager, $150,000 a year$30,000First post free, then $49
Estate manager, $200,000 a year$40,000First post free, then $49

Agency fees vary by agency, city and role. Example salaries are for illustration; see our pay guide for jobs listed on Jobinary.

What you get with an agency, and what you get with Jobinary

Placement agencyJobinary
CostUsually a % of first-year pay, sometimes plus a search feeFirst job post free; then a flat $49 per post, or discounted packs
Who finds candidatesThe agency recruits and shortlistsYou post once and candidates apply to you
ScreeningMost agencies check references and backgroundsYou choose your own checks: references, background check, trial day
Replacement guaranteeOften included for a set periodPost again whenever you need to
Speed and controlDepends on the agency’s pipelineYou see every applicant in your dashboard right away

An agency can be the right choice if you want someone else to do the searching and screening. If you are comfortable reviewing applicants yourself, posting directly saves you the fee. Jobinary does not screen or place candidates; read how hiring on Jobinary works.

How it works

  1. Create a free employer account. Private families can keep their name confidential on job posts.
  2. Write your job. Pick the role and our example description fills in duties, schedule and requirements for you to edit.
  3. Get applicants. Candidates apply with their profile and message. Shortlist, reject or contact them from your dashboard.
  4. Interview and hire. Follow our step-by-step hiring guide: interviews, references, background check and a paid trial day.
Employer reading a candidate resume at a table

Roles you can hire for

Ready to hire?

Post your first job free and start receiving applicants today. No contracts and no placement fee.

Are you a domestic agency?

Agencies can post their own jobs on Jobinary too, with multi-post packs. See Jobinary for agencies.

Hiring without an agency: common questions

Yes. Your first job post on Jobinary is free. After that a single job post is $49, and agencies can buy discounted multi-post packs.

No. Jobinary is a job board: you review applicants, check references and run any background check yourself. Our hiring guide explains how.

Yes. Private employers can hide their profile, and job posts show as Confidential.

No. There is no placement fee and no percentage of salary, whoever you hire.