Household Staffing Agency
in Chicago
Last updated:
Morgan & Mallet is a luxury household staffing agency in Chicago, placing experienced, fully vetted household staff with families from Gold Coast penthouses to Lake Forest estates.
We place private chefs, housekeepers, nannies, estate managers and personal assistants across the city, the North Shore and the western suburbs.
Every candidate goes through a 90-minute structured interview. We check references with former employers and carry out a criminal background check before you are introduced to them. We only put forward people with proven experience in private homes that can be verified.
Our co-founders started in private service themselves. Morgan Richez worked as a butler and chauffeur, and Laurine Mallet as a nanny in London, before they founded the agency in 2015.
Call us on (646) 965-2308 or get in touch through our website to talk through your search.
Placement success rate for our nannies and butlers
Average experience per professional
Vetted candidates in our network
US cities and towns we’ve recruited in
(Sources: The Morgan & Mallet Household Staff Industry Report 2026; 96% from our 2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report.)
Why Use a Domestic Staffing Agency in Chicago?
Success means staff who stay for years. That is why we weigh personality fit as heavily as experience. Our domestic staffing service in Chicago covers live-in and live-out roles, full-time and part-time.
Founded by former staff
Founders from private service
Our founders know what wealthy families need because they have done the work themselves. Morgan was a professional butler. Laurine was a nanny for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families in London.
High vetting standards
How do we vet household staff?
That experience has shaped our strict vetting process. Checking references is written into every recruiter’s contract. They must verify at least three previous positions and speak directly with former employers.
We run criminal background checks through Accurate.com, check employment history going back five to seven years, and make discretion agreements standard.
Where We Place Household Staff in Chicago
We place staff across Chicago and its suburbs, from the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park to the North Shore and the western suburbs. Here is what households in each area usually need.
Gold Coast and Streeterville. Housekeepers, house managers and personal assistants who can work with building management and run busy social calendars. These staff work in historic brownstones and greystones which sit alongside full-service high-rises with Lake Michigan views.
The North Shore. Estate managers, groundskeepers, domestic couples and nannies work here in multi-acre lakefront estates in Winnetka and Lake Forest, often with guest houses, gardens and outbuildings.
Lincoln Park. Nannies, private chefs and laundresses serve in Lincoln Park’s single-family homes and mansions on tree-lined streets, close to private schools like Francis W. Parker.
Hinsdale and the western suburbs. Butlers, chauffeurs, head housekeepers and private chefs for households that entertain formally. In this area these staff work in large traditional homes on landscaped lots, with an easy commute into the Loop.
West Loop and River North. Personal assistants and house managers work for individuals and families here in lofts and new-build penthouses, popular with tech founders and finance executives.
We also place staff in Glencoe, Wilmette and Kenilworth, and at the Lake Geneva homes many Chicago families keep for the summer. 89% of the housekeepers in our network have managed both a primary home and a second residence.
Across Chicagoland
- Gold Coast
- Streeterville
- Lincoln Park
- West Loop
- River North
- Winnetka
- Kenilworth
- Wilmette
- Glencoe
- Highland Park
- Lake Forest
- Barrington
- Hinsdale
- Naperville
Household Staff Roles We Place in Chicago
These are the main household roles we place in Chicago and its suburbs. Each section links to our guide to hiring that role. We also place butlers, private chauffeurs, domestic couples, governesses, laundresses, night nurses and newborn care specialists in Chicago.
Nannies in Chicago
Nannies are in high demand in Lincoln Park and Winnetka. Families hire full-time and part-time nannies, or overnight nannies for the newborn months. We place live-out and live-in nannies across Chicago.
Duties: Latin School pickups, Ravinia evenings and Sunset Ridge swim meets, with strict discretion on social media.
The nannies in our network speak more than 40 languages, most often English, French and Spanish.
Laurine Mallet, our co-founder and a former nanny, says tutor-level experience is now essential. More of our childcare specialists are expected to support private school work and after-school activities.
Tutoring support | Driving | Discretion
Estate Managers in Chicago
Estate managers are essential for North Shore estates and Lake Geneva second homes.
Duties: 5 a.m. snow removal, boat upkeep at Monroe Harbor, local contractor networks and oversight across several properties.
US estate managers earn $150,000 to $250,000 a year, according to our 2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report.
Vendor management | Budgets | Multi-property oversight
Private Chefs in Chicago
Private chefs were the role our domestic placement agency in Chicago was asked for the most in 2025.
Duties: shopping at Green City Market, cooking for medical diets and running formal dinners, from healthy family meals to Michelin-level entertaining.
Our most recent Hinsdale search was for a private chef with a fine-dining background to cook for the family and their guests.
Fine dining background | Menu planning | Events
Housekeepers in Chicago
Essential for Gold Coast mansions and historic homes. Unlike a maid service, a private housekeeper is employed by your household and only works for you.
Duties: specialist care for Tiffany fixtures, marble and millwork, plus protection against winter salt damage and summer humidity. Head housekeepers very often run teams for more than one property.
Eric Rios, our US candidate specialist, finds that many housekeepers are now head housekeepers who manage a team and keep the house guest-ready.
Fine materials care | Team leadership | Seasonal rotation
House Managers in Chicago
House managers in Chicago manage single homes for Lincoln Park and Streeterville properties.
Duties: daily operations, vendor coordination and household schedules. A house manager manages one home, while an estate manager looks after a large estate or lots of properties.
Many clients travel internationally and prefer lock-and-leave arrangements, with staff who keep the home running while they are away.
Operations | Vendors | Scheduling
Personal Assistants in Chicago
Personal assistants in Chicago support executives and UHNW families.
Duties: calendar management, private jet bookings at Chicago Executive Airport and Chicago Yacht Club coordination, joined up with the family's professional and social life.
Personal assistants in the US earn up to $250,000 a year, according to our 2025/26 report.
Jonathan de Vanderbilt, our leading US recruiter, says the personal assistant role here often grows into lifestyle management, from booking private jets to looking after art collections.
Calendars | Travel | Lifestyle management
What Chicago Families Ask Us For
Since 2022 we have recruited household staff for families across Chicago, Hinsdale and Naperville. These are the most common roles we were asked to fill, as well as how many candidates applied for each one.
| Search | Year | Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Private chef, Chicago | 2025 | 55 |
| Private chef, Hinsdale | 2025 | 46 |
| House manager and nanny, Naperville | 2024 | 30 |
| Live-out housekeeper, Chicago | 2022 | 13 |
| Laundress, Chicago | 2022 | 5 |
Every brief we worked on included experience in private homes. The chef briefs also asked for experience working in fine-dining and the ability to manage dinner parties and events.
Some Chicago chef roles came with health insurance and an annual bonus as well as the salary. The Hinsdale role was advertised at $80,000 to $120,000 a year.
Private chef roles had a lot of interest from good candidates. In all our US private chef job ads since 2022, the average is about 51 applicants, so Chicago is normal. Specialist roles are much harder to fill, our Chicago laundress search had five applicants. In a case like this we use our network and database to find the right person.
Morgan & Mallet recruitment data, Chicago-area searches 2022 to 2025.
How much do household staff
cost in Chicago?
Private chef · per year
2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report
Chicago salaries are within the US ranges from our 2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report. Live-in roles, multiple homes and formal service can mean the pay is higher when these are included.
Role | Salary range |
|---|---|
Housekeeper / Executive Housekeeper | $90,000 – $160,000 |
Personal Assistant (PA) | $80,000 – $250,000 |
House Manager | $100,000 – $180,000 |
Private Chef | $100,000 – $300,000 |
Head Housekeeper | $90,000 – $150,000 |
Nanny | $60,000 – $120,000 |
Estate Manager | $150,000 – $250,000 |
What Chicago Families Ask Us About Private Staffing
What makes staffing for luxury homes in Chicago different?
Many Chicago homes are over a century old, with original marble, custom millwork and delicate heritage finishes. We place staff who know how to clean antique parquet differently from modern high-spec surfaces.
Multi-story homes need estate managers who can handle anything from wine cellars to rooftop terraces.
Morgan Richez, our co-founder, says luxury clients want professionals who anticipate needs and make the household feel effortless.
We are also seeing rising demand in Chicago for housekeepers with specialist skills in caring for art collections and historic vehicles.
What safety and privacy measures does Morgan & Mallet follow for Chicago placements?
We run state and federal background checks through our third-party specialist, Accurate.com.
Recruiters call former employers to verify dates, attitude and discretion, and we review candidates’ public social media.
Staff often sign non-disclosure agreements before they start.
Eric Rios, our US specialist, notes that candidates who name-drop previous high-profile employers are disqualified. Discretion is the most valuable currency in luxury service.
What makes a great estate manager or housekeeper specifically for Chicago properties?
Chicago staff need to handle Midwest seasons, from removing salt stains to running indoor humidity control.
Estate managers often step in to prevent system failures during extreme cold.
The best candidates also read a family’s preferences without being told.
Laurine Mallet, our co-founder, points out that staff with a record of staying three to five years or more in one household earn significantly higher salaries and better benefits.
Structured interview
Applicants accepted
Employment history checked
Replacement guarantee
Chicago and Illinois Household Employment Rules in 2026
Chicago and Illinois give domestic workers specific rights. These are the rules that apply to most private households in 2026. The main state law is the Illinois Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, in force since January 1, 2017.
Do I need a written contract for household staff in Chicago?
Since January 2022, Chicago has needed there to be a written agreement for every domestic worker, that states pay and the schedule of work. If the worker asks, you have to give it to them in their first language. The City publishes a free model contract.
What is the minimum wage for household staff in Chicago, and do they get overtime?
Chicago’s minimum wage is $17.05 an hour from July 1, 2026. The Illinois minimum is $15.00. In Cook County, the county minimum wage is $15.40 an hour from July 1, 2026, but lots of towns have decided to opt out and use the state rate instead.
Live-out staff earn time and a half for hours over 40 in a week. Live-in staff are generally not included in overtime, but they must be paid at least the minimum wage for every hour they have worked for you.
Do household staff get a day off and meal breaks?
Domestic workers get at least 24 consecutive hours off in every seven-day period, plus a 20-minute meal break for every 7.5 hours worked. If a worker agrees to work on their rest day, those hours are paid at overtime rates.
Do household staff get paid leave and sick leave in Chicago?
Under Chicago’s paid leave rules, staff earn one hour of paid leave and one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours of each a year. This applies once they have worked 80 hours within 120 days. These rules come from Chicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, which started on July 1, 2024. Outside Chicago, most staff earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year, under the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act or a similar Cook County rule.
Do I need workers' compensation for household staff in Illinois?
Illinois states you need coverage for household employees who work 40 or more hours a week for at least 13 weeks of the year.
How we help: We share draft contracts, advise on salary and can take on payroll and compliance through our employer of record service. That also includes the payroll taxes Illinois households have to pay on staff wages, which is often called the nanny tax.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Check the latest rules with the City of Chicago Office of Labor Standards and the Illinois Department of Labor.
Six Key Insights for Staffing Luxury Homes in Chicago
Historic homes, hard winters and a busy social calendar shape what Chicago families need from their staff. These are the six things we plan for on every Chicago search.
Historic Property Expertise
Gold Coast mansions and North Shore estates often date back a century. Original Tiffany fixtures, millwork and marble need specialist care, so we look for housekeepers who have worked in heritage homes before.
Morgan Richez, our co-founder, sees rising demand for five-star housekeepers who can care for fine furniture and the historic finishes found in North Shore homes.
Weather-Related Challenges
Winter salt damages marble floors without being cleaned every day, and summer humidity can ruin antique wood in homes in Lincoln Park. Laurine Mallet, our co-founder, says Chicago staff must be able to manage these risks, including the HVAC and humidity systems that protect fine art.
Chicago's Social Calendar
The Air & Water Show, Bears games and gala season turn many homes into venues for large-scale entertaining. One of our recruiters notes that Chicago families often want all-rounders who can do PA tasks one day and a 50-person dinner the next.
Old Money vs. New Money
North Shore families in Lake Forest and Winnetka want long-term, discreet staff who can work around the family and their traditions. Our recruiter Dave Lasponas points out that demand for executive assistants has spiked among newer wealth.
Art and Antique Care
Many Chicago homes double as private galleries. Recruiter Jonathan de Vanderbilt says that for properties with high-value collections, families now look for housekeepers who have training in dealing with fine art.
Privacy and Discretion Standards
High-profile Chicago families need strong privacy measures. Non-disclosure agreements are now standard, and our 2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report found privacy agreements add 15 to 20% to base pay.
“Households are increasingly looking for dual roles to boost efficiency, and the trend is strongest among new-money families.”
Jonathan de Vanderbilt
Recruiter, Morgan & Mallet
Contact our New York office
New York, United States
260 Madison Ave, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Meet Your USA Regional Team
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a nanny cost in Chicago?
Full-time nannies in the US earn $60,000 to $120,000 a year, according to Morgan & Mallet’s 2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report. Experience, languages, travel and live-in arrangements move pay within that range. For a 40-hour week, that works out at roughly $29 to $58 an hour.
In Chicago, live-out nannies must earn at least the city minimum wage of $17.05 an hour, with time and a half after 40 hours a week. Live-in nannies are generally exempt from overtime but must earn the minimum wage for every hour worked.
Part-time and overnight nannies are usually paid by the hour. For a full breakdown, see our nanny salary guide.
How much does a private chef cost in Chicago?
Full-time private chefs in the US earn $100,000 to $300,000 a year, according to Morgan & Mallet’s 2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report. These are salaries for a chef employed full-time by one family. A personal chef that works on a single dinner party will normally charge per guest, which is a different service altogether.
Chefs who run dinner parties, cook for medical, kosher or gluten-free diets, or travel with the family sit at the top of that range. Suburban roles can start lower. A recent private chef search we ran in Hinsdale offered $80,000 to $120,000 a year.
On top of salary, budget for employer payroll taxes, workers’ compensation insurance and any benefits you offer. In Chicago you also need a written contract and must provide paid leave and paid sick leave.
How do I find a nanny in Chicago?
The easiest way is to work with a nanny agency in Chicago that thoroughly checks every candidate. It’s also possible to hire a nanny privately, but you have to do the interviews, check references and draw up any contracts yourself.
At Morgan & Mallet, every nanny we work with does a 90-minute interview with us, we check references with their past employers and do a criminal background check. We send you a shortlist and then arrange the interviews.
After you have made your choice, you must put the job in writing. In Chicago, a written contract that states pay and hours is a legal requirement. Every placement we make has our three-month replacement guarantee.
How long does it take to hire household staff in Chicago?
It can take between 4 and 6 months until you have your new member of staff, sometimes it’s quicker. Our 2025/26 Household Staff Salaries Annual Report recommends that families start recruiting 4 to 6 months ahead, not 2 to 3 months that used to be the case, because skilled staff are in short supply.
The roles that take longest to fill are the specialist ones. Our Chicago laundress search had only five applicants, while a normal US private chef job ad gets about 51.
What does a domestic staffing agency in Chicago do?
A domestic staffing agency in Chicago, also called a household staffing agency or a domestic placement agency, finds, checks and introduces household staff to families.
Those staff in Chicago can be nannies, housekeepers, private chefs, house managers, estate managers and personal assistants.
We work with you on a brief about your home and the role you need. We then interview and check every candidate, send you a shortlist and help with the contract.
You then employ the person yourself, or we can be the employer of record and do the payroll for you.
What's the difference between how old money and new money families hire staff in Gold Coast and North Shore?
Old-money families in North Shore communities such as Winnetka and Lake Forest often prefer discreet, long-serving staff who understand household traditions and value privacy above all else. They prize housekeepers or butlers with decades of loyal service who blend seamlessly into daily life.
New-money families from tech or finance tend to want versatile staff who can manage both lifestyle and logistics. They look for professionals who move quickly, handle modern tasks like booking private jets or fixing Wi-Fi, and take on hybrid roles such as housekeeper-family assistant or personal assistant-estate manager.
The hiring process also differs. Established families often recruit through private referrals, while newer households are more open to agency placements and prioritize efficiency over tradition.
Why is hiring household staff for historic Gold Coast mansions different from other neighborhoods?
Gold Coast estates often include century-old properties with original Tiffany fixtures, hand-carved millwork, and heritage marble that demand museum-level care. Standard cleaning methods can permanently damage these materials within weeks.
A qualified housekeeper must understand how to clean antique parquet, marble, and wood surfaces differently from modern finishes. Conservation cleaning training is essential to preserve original craftsmanship while managing Chicago’s extreme weather.
Winter salt can etch marble floors if not cleaned daily, summer humidity can warp antique wood, and spring brings deep cleaning needs after sealed winter months. Staff in these homes must have specialized expertise far beyond typical residential housekeeping.
How does Chicago weather and social season affect my staffing needs?
Summer in Chicago brings Ravinia concerts, yacht parties at Monroe Harbor, and a surge of weekend guests that can double household staffing needs.
Families often add servers, guest-suite housekeepers, and staff who can coordinate with yacht crews and event planners.
Fall brings charity galas, Bears games, and school routines that demand tight scheduling. During events like Lollapalooza and the Air & Water Show, extra cleaning and security-aware staff are essential to manage visitors.
Winter holidays from Thanksgiving through New Year’s require decorating teams and added support for extended family stays.
Spring deep cleaning after Chicago’s harsh winter calls for crews skilled in removing salt damage and preparing outdoor areas.
The most experienced staff plan around Chicago’s social calendar and prepare well in advance.
If you are a household professional looking for work in Chicago, you can browse our current open positions here.
Hire Household Staff in Chicago
Every inquiry passes through one of our co-founders. Speak to our U.S. recruitment team on