People are always interested in the lifestyle and income levels in countries like America. In this regard, a report on the earnings of some specialists working in the homes of ultra-wealthy families in the USA has been prepared. These professions include private chefs, estate managers, personal assistants, and staff heads, and their salaries can surprise even highly paid professionals.
According to a report published by CBS News, based on an analysis by the elite service firm Morgan & Mallet, some positions among domestic staff offer salaries comparable to those of highly paid professions. This is leading to the establishment of elite domestic staff as a high-paying career.
Private chefs are among the highest-paid positions in the field of elite domestic service. The Morgan & Mallet analysis, presented in the CBS News report from July 10, 2026, indicates that the annual income of a private chef in America can range from $100,000 to $300,000 USD. In Indian currency, this amount is equivalent to approximately 8.5 million to 2.5 crore rupees per year.
However, simply cooking well is not enough to earn such a high reward. High-class private chefs must develop menus taking into account the family's preferences, lifestyle, and dietary needs. There is particular demand for chefs with experience in Michelin-level restaurants.
The role of the staff head in ultra-wealthy families has become critically important. According to the report, the annual salary for this position can range from $150,000 to $300,000 USD. This position differs significantly from that of a regular office assistant because the staff head takes on many important administrative and personal duties, including coordinating various family and staff tasks. It is this great responsibility that makes this job one of the most expensive in elite household management.
The demand for personal assistants among wealthy families is also very high. The report states that the annual salary for this role can range from $80,000 to $250,000 USD, which corresponds to approximately 6.8 million to 2.1 crore rupees in Indian currency. Their duties go beyond simply answering calls or scheduling meetings; they may include travel planning, schedule management, organizing personal affairs, and other daily needs.
Estate managers are required to manage large properties in elite households. According to the report, the annual salary for this position can be from $150,000 to $200,000 USD. Executive assistants may be offered between $120,000 and $200,000 annually. A significant part of the salary in these professions depends on the employee's experience and the scope of their responsibilities.
In the world of elite domestic service, not only the pay level but also the demand is interesting. The report shows that personal assistants are the most in-demand category of domestic staff, accounting for about 22 percent of staffing requests. This indicates a growing need of ultra-wealthy families not only for domestic labor but also for professional support staff to manage daily life.
Even specialists such as nannies and drivers are in demand in wealthy families. Candidates with special skills can expect better working conditions compared to ordinary workers. For example, multilingual nannies or childcare specialists with special experience have a higher chance of receiving a high salary.
The main reason for high payments is the shortage of qualified and reliable domestic staff. Ultra-wealthy families need employees whom they can trust regarding personal life, children, property, travel, and other important daily matters. However, finding experienced employees willing to work long-term is not easy. When the supply of specialists with certain skills is low and the demand is high, wage growth is a natural consequence.
Another interesting reason for this trend is that the ultra-wealthy people acquire real estate in different locations. The more properties a family owns, the more professionals are required to maintain them. One property may require a chef, nanny, driver, or estate manager, and several properties require even more staff.