Six Figures To Stay Home

   By drodriguez  Jun 18, 2008
36

Ever wonder what you’re worth? Well a new study featured in an article from CNN reports what stay-at-home moms and working moms would make for their motherly duties if they were being paid.

According to the study released by Salary.com, a Massachusetts based firm that calculates work place compensation, a stay-at-home mom would make on average almost $117,000 a year in salary if she were being paid. And a mom who works outside the home would bring in a little over $68,000 for the time she puts in at home.

The reason the hypothetical salary would be so lucrative is because moms put in a lot of overtime. Researchers surveyed 18,000 moms about their typical week and on average the stay-at-home moms worked more than 94 hours a week. The working moms also put in a good deal of overtime averaging almost 55 hours a week.

One stay-at-home mom, Samantha Russell, who left her job as a pastry chef to raise two boys, was interviewed for the CNN article. Russell believes stay-at-home moms are often underappreciated, “I think a lot of people think we sit at home and have a lot of fun and don’t do a lot of work. But they should try cleaning their house with little kids running around and messing it up right after them.”

Stay-at-home moms and working moms have a tough and often thankless job, but most will agree it is highly rewarding. Though many may feel underappreciated at times, it is nice to hear about this theoretical six-figure salary the experts have come up with.

What do you think of the study reporting on a mom’s theoretical yearly wage?

Do you think the salaries calculated in the study were accurate enough?

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queendoreen by queendoreen | Coram, NY
Sep 18, 2010

I was a single mother of five most of their lives, and had to work 12 to 14 hours a day, 6 days a week. I truly hated it, because I was never their to pick my children up from school, to do their homework with them, to put them to bed at night and tell them how much I loved them. On my one day off, I would have to clean the house, do the laundry, go gorcery shopping, and maaking some kind of time for my children, and it was extremely hard. I was in a car accident and broke my neck, and began disabled and couldn't work anymore. I now have a 3 yr old grandson that I take care of full time. I'm on SSI, and recieve a very low income. Times are really bad, and I have been looking for so long to do something at home to make some kind of income, but most of the companies that I applied to, were nothing but scams. I wish someone could help me, if they know of any work that I can do at home. the is not a scam. any info would be appreicated

dalfonso by dalfonso | Buckeye, AZ
Aug 24, 2008

Would it not be nice if the goverment could give families that sacrafice a duel income, some type of tax break or even PAY us. I think it is great that women give up a career to be a mother! I mean this is the job that we were called to do from the beginning and if the goverment promoted women to stay at home and help raise kids I think we could see a big turn around in our society! I know a lot of my friends could stay at home if they could afford it. But it does take some sacrifice and budgeting:0) Just a thought! YOu S.A.M.Hs Rock!!!

msfreeze by msfreeze | grapevine, TX
Aug 23, 2008

I wish i could get paid this much for it lol. I believe sahm's deserve that and more i tell my dh all the time i work 24/7 365. I dont get personal days or sick time lol.

swimmingsportsmom by swimmingsportsmom | DUBLIN, OH
Aug 22, 2008

I think it is a difficult decision to go to work or to stay home. They all have sacrifices and benefits. I have done both and even though I have been home for 10 years. I do not think my time or my energy is always appreciated by my teenager kids or my family. I have to pat myself on the back and write my own reviews. Especially when my kids are fighting, the checkbook is low and I miss having time by myself. The payoffs will come when the older boys graduate, get jobs, and someone will say your kids can carry on a conversation. My husband gave me the most romantic compliment the other day by saying our toddler is smart because of me taking him to the zoo, to the pool, and staying home with him. That is why I do this.

tweety24311 by tweety24311 | SEA BRIGHT, NJ
Aug 21, 2008

I am very lucky to be able to stay at home and yes....I think the stay at home parents deserve to make a lot of money. But the true reward is being able to raise our children in the way that we think is right. We could all use the money though!!

TEETER by TEETER | CHARLOTTE, NC
Aug 16, 2008

I wish there was a way to get paid for being a stay-at-home mom. But I guess EVERYONE would probably take advantage of it. I am a single mom with a small income coming in as it is. Times are stuff. I could definitely use the money.:>)

carol-yn by carol-yn | North Royalton, OH
Aug 15, 2008

It's refreshing to hear positive comments about staying home and raising a family. I'm a grandmother now and I was staying home in the 1980's, raising my children. That was the generation who made one feel like they didn't amount to much if they didn't have a working career. Too bad stay at home mom's don't receive compensation for their "job". They are a strong asset to society and raising a family on one income makes it a very difficult option. No regrets!

Salemsw by Salemsw | Millbury, MA
Aug 14, 2008

Amen

Marie12345 by Marie12345 | DALLAS, GA
Jul 27, 2008

I wish I could get paid for being a SAHM! I love my son with all my heart but no one can tell you how hard this job is! Until you are in those shoes you just don't get it! I had 6 job titles at one time and thought hiring, firing, etc were the hardest things in the world... HA! Being a Mom is! There is no way you could ever pay anyone for all that you do as a Mom. It's 24/7, sick or not, you're the one in charge. I wish Dad's and others (that haven't done what we have) would get a clue! In the end though our kids are the payment for our hard work. After all they ARE a blessing and a gift that only God could give us! We have to remember that along the way.

Salemsw by Salemsw | Millbury, MA
Jul 27, 2008

I was a stay at home Mom for years and I find both jobs tough-but My husband and I choose to have children-so I have to say I never gave it a thought that I should get paid for staying home with my children I think it's reward enough to be at home to watch your child's 1st step and hear them sing the opening song to blue clue's. Now that I am in the working force you just have to find a balance. I am lucky enough to have a husband that helps. Plus for myself I enjoy going to work instead of walking around the house in sweats and a ponytail. Wondering what I could clean next. The only thing I do miss about staying at home was my house spotless.Plus if we ever won the lottery I still work I love bringing home a pay check and dressing nice to go off to work and still find the time to be there for my 2 children and be a den leader for Cub Scouts and be on the parents club like I said before it's all about Balance. I have girlfriends that stay at home and complain that there tired and I have one word to say to them BALANCE!!!!

Salemsw by Salemsw | Millbury, MA
Jul 27, 2008

tough subject!

MBenita by MBenita | PHILADELPHIA, PA
Jul 23, 2008

I don't see how they can put a dollar figure on parenthood -period! Let's see: you're a nurse, doctor, lawyer, negotiator, CPA, financial consultant, bank teller, customer service rep, construction worker, baker, caterer, seamstress, laundrer, hair stylist, counselor...and someone punching in numbers can actually put a price to all that (those are the ones right off the top of my head)? Please! I don't think so and am really insulted that they THINK they can. Parenthood is priceless!

GerberaDaisies by GerberaDaisies | Dayton, TX
Jul 18, 2008

I meant mine in a "lol" kind of way. I am a SAHM of 5 (10 mo. - 8 yrs. old) and I consider myself fortunate to have this opportunity. I also home school them. I don't feel I am worth that much but, I know a few people who are.

flo617 by flo617 | Arlington Heights, IL
Jul 17, 2008

Hi everyone, I'm new here, and I just had to comment, because I'm a stay at home mom, for almost 20 years now! Gosh, that sounds weird! My children are between the ages of 13 and 19, (I have 4), and I thought it was hard when they were younger.....let me tell you, it's a piece of cake when they're young.....I feel the need to be home now more than ever! I want to be the parent who can DO the carpool, attend all the children's football/soccer/basketball games, be home when they come home from school, etc. However, most of my friends have gone back to work, and I sometimes feel they look down upon me, if that makes any sense. I'm very fortunate to be able to stay at home all these years, and really, I wouldn't have it any other way either!! So ladies, enjoy the time with your children, because, the time really does FLY by!!!!

GerberaDaisies by GerberaDaisies | Dayton, TX
Jul 17, 2008

Did they figure in Holidays? We work extra on those days (trying to make sure it's a true Holiday for everyone else). I also wonder if all the overtime hours were based on 'time and a half' or 'doubletime?'