Household Staffing Agency
in San Francisco
The Bay Area’s most capable household staff are found through M&M.
M&M is a leading authority in private household staffing. Our ability to recruit experienced household staff in San Francisco comes from the direct knowledge of our founders.
Before launching M&M, our co-founders worked in private households themselves. Morgan was a chauffeur, and Laurine was a nanny.
This personal experience gives us insight into the demands and environment that most agencies simply don’t have.
For households looking to hire household staff in San Francisco, M&M is where exceptional talent is placed.
Domestic Staffing Agency in San Francisco for the Most Exclusive Homes
96% Placement Success
Nearly all our placements work out long-term. Every candidate is checked with references and background screening.
Bay Area Property Expertise
More than 80% of our property caretakers in San Francisco have managed hillside and vineyard estates.
High-Profile Discretion
72% of carers we've placed in San Francisco have worked for tech founders, VC executives, or similar.
Tech Sector Know-How
More than 80% of PAs we place have supported clients in tech, venture capital, or biotech.
From Childhood Friends in France to Global Luxury Staffing
M&M started with childhood friends from France. Laurine trained at the Ferrandi culinary school in Paris, while Morgan ran a luxury car rental business until a Bentley got stolen and abrubtly ended that project.
Both moved to London and worked in luxury service for high net worth families. Morgan as a butler, Laurine as a nanny.
They saw the agency model was broken: too many resumes, inadequate verifications, no real curation.They founded M&M in London in 2015. France followed quickly. Then they realized standard applicant tracking systems couldn’t handle the speed and compliance luxury placements required, so they built their own. That custom system now gives them advantages other agencies can’t match.
As clients became global and moved between London, Monaco, Dubai, and Florida, they requested M&M’s services abroad. Local offices opened to service them.
Today the household staffing agency operates across the US, UK, Europe, and UAE, placing over 1,200 candidates annually.
San Francisco Luxury Communities We Serve
Below are the main areas where we place household staff in San Francisco, each with distinct wealth profiles and staffing expectations.
Pacific Heights Private Staffing: Tech Executives
Wealth
We place staff here in wealthy homes with Bay views and architectural significance.
Staffing Needs
We have seen that nannies, housekeepers, estate managers, and private chefs are in constant high demand.
Families expect staff who can maintain privacy, support work-from-home environments, and work with technology systems.
M&M recruiter, Cara Leahy, notes that California clients are most concerned about finding someone who fits well with the culture of the house, as personality matters as much as technical skill in these households.
Nob Hill Household Staffing: Historic Elegance
Wealth
Homes typically valued between $1.5 million and $10 million, featuring historic estates and modern condominiums.
Staffing Needs
M&M recruiters know that butlers, chauffeurs, and groundskeepers are common placements here, with families emphasizing privacy and outdoor activities.
M&M recruiter, Rachel Dixon, recently placed a chef for a household who specifically wanted expertise in nutrition, macro balancing, and healthy eating to support a tailored diet plan for the principal.
Sea Cliff Domestic Staffing: Waterfront Luxury and Privacy
Wealth
Properties range from $3 million to over $20 million, known for their waterfront views and exclusive locations.
Sea Cliff showcases San Francisco’s historic grandeur with its blend of classic mansions and contemporary estates. The median household income is around $150,000.
Staffing Needs
We are increasingly seeing demand for house managers, security personnel, and domestic couples in these waterfront properties.
Domestic couples remain challenging to recruit here, as co-founder of M&M, Morgan, notes that the aging workforce makes finding younger candidates difficult, with most requests coming from second homes and holiday properties.
Marina District Staffing: Family-Friendly Urban Living
Wealth
Homes valued from $1 million to $5 million, offering a mix of modern and historic architecture.
Nearly 75% of households in the Marina District earn above the national average, with a median household income exceeding $220,000.
Staffing Needs
Nannies, private chefs, and estate managers are in demand.
Co-founder of M&M, Laurine, confirms that San Francisco households typically hire for houses rather than flats, as the city’s style favors properties near the bay and waterfront areas.
South Beach: Modern Urban Lifestyle
Wealth
Properties range from $800,000 to $5 million, featuring urban condos and modern developments.
Staffing Needs
Housekeepers and personal assistants are typically requested the most here.
M&M recruiter, Cara Leahy, notes that personal assistant roles for tech families often split between direct contact with the principal and working through family office managers.
What Our Experts Say
What’s the most interesting placement you made in the last 12 months?
“Good question. The short answer is complicated, but it’s worth understanding.
We had a VVIP client looking for a chief of staff in the US. After spending an hour with the client and Jonathan on a group call with the family office, we quickly realized this wasn’t just a chief of staff role. This was chief of staff plus lifestyle manager, all rolled into one.
The family had just moved to California and needed someone who could not only manage their household staff but also connect them with the wealthy community there.
They wanted introductions to the right people, the right clubs, the right circles. It was about integration as much as it was about running the household.”
The Top Five Requested Roles in the San Francisco Market (2025)
One of our San Francisco recruiters shared that the most successful placements happen when families clearly define their expectations from the start. Many have strong preferences for how they want their staff to work.
M&M Agency Data:
- Salary: $80,000 to $250,000
- 27.78% of placed personal assistants at M&M are in full-time roles.
- 37.74% of personal assistants in our global database are female.
In San Francisco, housekeepers manage luxury properties with a focus on tech.
M&M Agency Data
- Salary: $90,000 to $160,000
- 45.5% of housekeepers in our global database are experienced head housekeepers.
- On average, housekeepers at M&M can manage properties with five to 15 rooms.
Nannies in San Francisco are very often asked to manage school runs and flexible schedules that accommodate parents working remotely.
We find that matching a nanny’s energy to the child’s personality is the most important factor for long-term success.
M&M Agency Data:
- Salary: $60,000 to $120,000
- 10.56% of childcare specialists in our global database have tutor experience.
- 39.91% of childcare specialists at M&M also perform housekeeping duties.
In the Bay Area, the chief of staff title has increasingly replaced the traditional “house manager” designation, reflecting a more modern, corporate approach to estate management.
Co-founder Laurine Mallet has seen that because San Francisco principals are often high-profile CEOs, they need staff who can handle problem-solving independently to preserve the principal’s time.
M&M Agency Data:
- Salary: $150,000 to $300,000
- 80.09% of property caretaker profiles at M&M globally are house managers.
- 81.78% of property caretaker profiles located in the US are house managers.
Estate managers here often need to manage estates with multiple staff.
M&M Agency Data:
- Salary: $150,000 to $250,000
- Estate managers at M&M oversee a minimum of three properties on average.
- 50% of estate manager requests at M&M come from the United States.
Why San Francisco Pays Premium Rates
With one of the highest costs of living in the country, compensation packages in San Francisco set national benchmarks.
Families need to provide competitive salaries and good benefits to secure top talent in a tight market.
The table below outlines current salary expectations and recent M&M placements in the San Francisco area, linking directly to our job board.
Position | US Salary Range | Example Placement Made by M&M | |
|---|---|---|---|
Full-Time Live-Out Housekeeper | $90,000 – $160,000 | Young, easy-going couple in 4,000 sq. ft. San Francisco residence seeking long-term live-out housekeeper to provide reliable professional household cleaning, laundry, wardrobe care, and organizational upkeep for a well-maintained residence. | |
Full-time Nanny for Newborn/Cook | $60,000 – $120,000 | Couple in Presidio Heights neighborhood seeking live-in or live-out nanny to provide warm, experienced care for their bright 5-year-old daughter, offering a nurturing environment, educational support, and organized daily activities. | |
Live-out Private Chef (M/F) | $120,000 – $350,000 | Bay Area family with Caribbean roots who have traveled extensively seeking part-time chef with warm and welcoming intercontinental palate to prepare healthy, flavorful, and varied meals with appreciation for diverse cuisine from Caribbean to international flavors for long-term meal preparation. | |
Live-in House Manager | $100,00 – $180,000 | HNW family with 5 children (ages 4-15) in San Francisco residence seeking house manager to oversee day-to-day running of property to maintain highest standards and coordinate with teams in Asia, with accommodation provided in separate pool house on property. | |
Full-Time Live-In Governess (M/F) | $70,000 – $130,000 | Private household in pleasant Noe Valley, San Francisco seeking well-educated, adaptable, culturally aware governess to provide exceptional and dynamic education and mentorship for their bright 12-year-old daughter, ensuring cognitive and behavioral development. |
Salary data source: M&M Annual Salary Report 2025/2026.
Job data extracted from M&M’s own job board.
All our recruiters in the US have seen housing costs push compensation higher across the board, especially in San Francisco.
Even with live-in arrangements, many families now provide housing allowances or separate accommodations.
M&M recruiters report that tech wealth fuels fierce competition. Families backed by venture capital or public tech exits compete hard for experienced candidates, driving base salaries and benefits up.
A fairly recent trend our SF recruiters have noticed: certain professions are approaching retirement, particularly domestic couples, with fewer professionals entering these roles. The shortage is pushing wages higher.
Our recruiters consistently hear candidates expect comprehensive health insurance, retirement contributions, generous paid time off, and professional development budgets. These aren’t perks. They’re expected.
Three Reasons to Choose an Agency Over Direct Recruitment
Access to Elite, Pre-Vetted Talent
Professional Screening and Behavioral Assessment
Thorough Security and Legal Compliance
Household staffing agencies in San Francisco like M&M, carry out multi-stage vetting, including criminal background verification, social media reviews, and reference checks.
They also provide guidance on complex contracts, such as gross versus net salary and taxable accommodation benefits.
The Risk of Going Direct:
DIY recruitment often leads to poor background checking, putting your home and children at risk.
Missing critical contract details like notice periods or flexibility clauses can lead to expensive legal disputes when a relationship breaks down.
What San Francisco Employers Need to Know About Household Staffing
Legal Aspect | SF/California Legal Requirement (2026) | M&M 2026 Market Insight / Strategy | |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimum Wage and Salary | San Francisco: $19.18/hr (Current). A new CPI-adjusted rate takes effect July 1, 2026.California State: $16.90/hr (as of Jan 1, 2026). | M&M recruiter, Jonathan de Vanderbilt, notes that while $18.67 is the floor, elite housekeeper/nannies in the US command $90,000–$100,000 annually. Setting pay at the legal minimum often leads to high turnover in the SF market. | |
Overtime (Live-out) | SF/California Legal Requirement (2026): 1.5x rate after 8h/day or 40h/week. 2x rate after 12h/day. | Co-founder of M&M, Laurine Mallet, emphasizes that 2026’s most stable households treat staffing as day-to-day operations. Defining these overtime structures in a formal employee handbook early on prevents the informality trap that leads to disputes. | |
Overtime (Live-in) | SF/California Legal Requirement (2026): 1.5x rate after 9 hours in a day or 45 hours in a week (CA Wage Order 15). | Strong 2026 candidates assess households as thoroughly as they are vetted. Families who proactively offer transparent overtime structures for live-in roles signal professionalism and reduce early friction, helping households retain staff past the initial placement period. | |
Classification (W-2 vs. 1099) | SF/California Legal Requirement (2026): W-2 is mandatory for most domestic staff. UI registration required if wages >$1,000/quarter. | As family offices grow in scope, private households are being managed with corporate-level structure. M&M mimics this by ensuring W-2 compliance, which acts as a professional signal to top-tier candidates. | |
Value-Add and Role Scope | SF/California Legal Requirement (2026): Standard job description compliance. | 2026 clients see the highest ROI from hybrid roles. One M&M placement recently transformed a household by moving beyond cleaning to weekly menu planning and international meal prep, turning the role from domestic help to a lifestyle asset. | |
Privacy and Continuity | SF/California Legal Requirement (2026): Standard NDAs and privacy laws. | In 2026, privacy is no longer a perk but a basic requirement. M&M utilizes a proprietary ATS to ensure all staff are vetted specifically for the high-discretion environments of SF tech and finance estates. |
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or HR advice. While we strive for accuracy regarding 2026 standards, labor laws and San Francisco’s annual CPI adjustments are subject to change. Morgan & Mallet international, is a recruitment firm, not a law firm; we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified employment attorney or domestic payroll specialist to ensure your specific contracts and “duty-free” tracking comply with all current California and local regulations.
M&M's Vetting Process for San Francisco Families
We see that families in the Bay Area face the challenge of finding candidates who have technical skills, but also the discretion needed in high-profile households.
M&M has developed a vetting process that screens professionals for tech-oriented and high-profile San Francisco households.
We confirm technical skills and cultural fit through calls with at least three previous employers to check reliability before meetings take place.
Laurine Mallet requires all recruiters to conduct a verbal conversation for every reference.
The custom built ATS will not allow candidates to move forward with placements until this is fulfilled. It is hard coded into the system.
M&M verifies everything from culinary certifications to specialized housekeeping credentials for authenticity. This step is critical for making sure candidates meet the technical standards required for elite San Francisco residences.
Recruiters ask housekeepers specific questions about cleaning products for high-end materials like marble to protect the family’s possessions.
For chauffeur roles, recruiters verify that driving licenses are clean and confirms the candidate’s experience managing luxury vehicles like Bentleys or Rolls-Royces.
Recruiters use scenario-based questions to check discretion, organization, and communication style.
These interviews test how candidates handle the demanding environment of Silicon Valley homes.
Co-founder, Laurine Mallet’s, warmth helps candidates relax during interviews, which reveals their true professionalism level within 20 to 30 minutes.
After confirming employment history, M&M conducts criminal record checks. This protects high-profile families managing sensitive personal and professional spaces in the Bay Area.
Eric Rios, one of our US talent managers, use third-party providers like Accurate.com who check multiple data points from government sources.
Co-founder, Laurine Mallet, is implementing quality-control blocks hard coded within M&M’s custom ATS.
These blocks will prevent a recruiter from sending a profile to a client if mandatory background screening steps are incomplete.
Hands-on tests review abilities ranging from wellness-focused cooking to managing technology. This confirms the candidate fits your specific household needs and family culture.
For private chefs, M&M can organize paid tasting trials where candidates cook for the family for several days to make sure their culinary style matches the family’s requirements.
During these trials, recruiters often identify hidden skills, such as a housekeeper who is capable of handling broader house management responsibilities.
San Francisco families benefit from a trial period to check the match. Once confirmed, M&M can offer in-house payroll services.
M&M recruiters can also suggest trusted visa services and legal partners.
One M&M recruiter once rescued a trial placement when a principal wanted to fire a chef for a minor technical error. They mediated the situation by explaining that small mistakes during a trial period should not disqualify a candidate, and the chef became a successful long-term placement.
M&M Agency Policy: To make sure long-term stability, M&M implements a follow-up routine, contacting both the candidate and the client for the first three months of any new placement.
New York
office address
260 Madison Avenue, 8th floor, 10016, New York, NY - United States
phone
+1 917-843-5691
contact@morganmallet.agency
opening hours
Monday - Thursday : 9AM - 6PM
Friday : 9AM - 5PM
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
Miami
office address
1555 NE 121st ST #104 FL 33161, North Miami - United States
phone
+1 305 710 3380
contact@morganmallet.agency
opening hours
Monday - Thursday : 9AM - 6PM
Friday : 9AM - 5PM
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
Los Angeles
office address
895 Dove St, Newport Beach, CA 92660, United States
phone
+1305 710 3380
contact@morganmallet.agency
opening hours
Monday - Thursday : 9AM - 6PM
Friday : 9AM - 5PM
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
Frequently Asked
Questions
Why is it expensive to hire household staff in San Francisco?
The high cost comes down to San Francisco’s extreme living expenses and intense competition for quality candidates. Household staff need salaries that allow them to actually live in or near the city.
M&M places housekeepers across the US for $90,000 to $160,000 and nannies for $60,000 to $120,000. In the Bay Area, salaries typically land at the higher end of these ranges to cover local costs.
The city’s $18.67 minimum wage sets a high floor, but the real driver is demand. Housekeepers and personal assistants are among the most requested roles in the US market, with housekeepers accounting for 21% of all M&M placement requests.
High-net-worth families in San Francisco often seek professional staff with specialized training – think teaching degrees for nannies or five-star hospitality backgrounds for house managers. These qualifications command premium pay.
Add in the difficulty of commuting through Bay Area traffic and limited parking, and you understand why top candidates expect attractive packages. Many employers offer parking stipends or car allowances just to make positions viable for the best staff.
How can I find a housekeeper or nanny in San Francisco?
The most effective approach in San Francisco’s competitive market is working with a specialist private staffing agency like M&M. We handle vetting, background checks, and matching candidates to your family’s specific needs.
Due to the Bay Area’s cost of living, successful searches often extend nationally. You may need to offer relocation packages or housing stipends to attract top talent from markets like New York or Miami.
Your offer package matters enormously. The best candidates expect professional employment contracts with above-market pay, health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions. M&M helps structure these packages to secure the staff you need.
Do San Francisco families use live-in domestic staff?
Live-in staff are less common in San Francisco than on the East Coast or in Europe, but they do exist. Most arrangements involve separate housing rather than rooms in the main home.
City homes in San Francisco are often smaller and rarely have dedicated staff quarters. But families in the Peninsula and Marin areas frequently provide private carriage houses or guest apartments for live-in staff.
Separate housing serves two purposes. It offsets the region’s high cost of living, making positions accessible to talented staff who couldn’t otherwise afford the area. It also preserves privacy for both the family and the employee.
High-net-worth Bay Area families often value discretion. Physical separation between living spaces respects everyone’s privacy while keeping essential staff close by.
Live-in positions add complexity to payroll. California has strict rules about overtime calculations and lodging credits that can be applied against minimum wage. These requirements differ from standard hourly arrangements and require careful handling.
Why San Francisco Homeowners Choose M&M for Household Staffing
Most San Francisco homeowners face the same staffing problem: finding people who understand local expectations without constant supervision.
M&M solves this. We source professionals who already know how privacy and lifestyle work in this market, whether you own waterfront property, an urban residence, or manage multiple homes.
Why San Francisco families trust M&M:
• Over 1,200 candidates placed annually across luxury households, yachts, and estates worldwide.
• Seven offices globally including Los Angeles and New York, with local recruiters who understand West Coast expectations.
• Trusted by royal families, diplomats, business leaders, and celebrities since 2015.
• Access to over 5,600 professional personal assistant profiles and 4,500 private chef candidates.
• Co-founded by former butler and nanny who worked in elite households before building the agency.
You gain time. You reduce stress. Your household runs the way it should.
Connect with M&M at +1 415 555 1234 to discuss your San Francisco staffing needs.