Gap Year Programs in the U.S.: How to Work as an Au Pair

If you want to press pause before you dive into college or a professional career, a gap year is a great opportunity. You can spend your time traveling, saving money, thinking about where you want your future career to take you, or do a little bit of everything!

There are a few different gap year programs in the U.S. to choose from, but have you thought about being an au pair? If you’re looking for a meaningful, affordable, and adventure-filled way to spend your year abroad (and earn a salary at the same time!), it’s an amazing option.

But what’s it really like to work as an au pair? How much can you earn? What type of visa do you need? And do you get a chance to see much of the U.S.? Don’t worry, this guide will answer all your questions! We’ll cover:

1. The responsibilities of an au pair and how you’ll spend your days
2. Why you should choose an au pair program for your gap year
3. The eligibility requirements and how to apply to be an au pair
4. How AuPairCare supports you throughout the program

Between applying for au pair jobs, securing a visa, organizing your flights, and making sure everything else is taken care of, an au pair gap year program can get pretty complicated. That’s why AuPairCare is here! From helping you find the right host family to providing in-person orientation and ongoing support, we’re here for you throughout the entire year.

Keep reading to learn more about au pair gap year programs, or take the first step and start your AuPairCare application here.

First of All, What is a Gap Year Program?

Whether you’ve just finished high school, are in the middle of university, or are considering a career change, taking a gap year gives you the chance to explore different destinations, gain new skills, and experience life outside the classroom.

A gap year is typically a 6–12 month period taken away from formal education or work, often before or after university studies. While the idea may seem new to some, it's a well-established practice in many parts of the world, including Europe, Australia, and Asia.

The focus is on personal, educational, and professional growth through hands-on experiences that can’t be found in a traditional academic setting. Many people use the time to travel, volunteer, intern, or work abroad, gaining a broader perspective on the world in the process.

Why Take a Gap Year?

There are many reasons why you might choose to take a gap year. Maybe you want to recharge before college? Or perhaps you’re looking to gain real-world experience, improve your language skills, or try something entirely new before deciding on a career? Whatever your reason, there can be lots of benefits that come with a gap year:

• Travel and work abroad can deepen your understanding of different lifestyles and values
• You can gain life skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability
• Many students return to school after a gap year more confident and goal-oriented
• Employers and universities increasingly value international experience and cultural skills

Ultimately, a gap year can provide the rest, space, clarity, and confidence you need to make important decisions about your future.

Types of Gap Year Programs Available in the U.S.

The United States has different gap year opportunities that appeal to varying interests, goals, and budgets, including:

• Au pair programs: Live with an American family, care for their children, and immerse yourself in U.S. culture. You’ll earn an au pair salary, receive room and board, and even have the chance to take college courses, all while gaining valuable experience abroad!
• Volunteer programs: Many nonprofit organizations offer cultural exchange programs focused on community service, conservation, or social justice. These can be short-term or long-term and are a great way to give back while exploring the country.
• Internships and work exchange: Gain hands-on experience in a specific field or industry. Some internships are paid, while others are unpaid but may offer housing or a small stipend.
• Study abroad programs: Enroll in a U.S. college or language school during your gap year to enhance your education, make new friends, and improve your English.
• Adventure travel and outdoor education: From national park conservation work to leadership training and wilderness expeditions, these programs focus on teamwork, resilience, and exploration through work experience abroad.

Among all these options, working as an au pair in America balances structure, cultural immersion, affordability, and support, making it one of the best choices. But what’s it actually like to be an au pair in the U.S.? Let’s take a look!

What Does an Au Pair Do?

Curious about what it actually means to be an au pair? Let’s explore the requirements and eligibility criteria, your daily roles and responsibilities, and some of the perks of an au pair gap year program.

Your Roles and Responsibilities

As an au pair, your main responsibility is to care for your host family’s children. Your specific duties may vary depending on the children’s ages and the family’s needs, but typically include:

• Preparing meals and snacks for the kids
• Driving them to school, playdates, or after-school activities
• Helping out with homework
• Bath time and bedtime routines
• Light housekeeping related to the children (like tidying up toys or doing their laundry)

It requires commitment, energy, and patience, but it’s also rewarding and a lot of fun! Many au pairs form close bonds with their host children and feel like a big brother or sister by the end of their stay.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

Every family is different, but most au pairs follow a regular routine based on the school and work schedules of their host family, as well as the age of the children they’re caring for. Here’s an example of what a typical weekday might look like in your au pair program:

• 7:00 AM – Help get the kids up, dressed, and fed
• 8:00 AM – Drop them off at school or day care
• 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Free time for yourself
• 3:00 PM – Pick up the kids and assist with snacks, homework, and playtime
• 6:00 PM – Help with dinner and begin the bedtime routine
• 8:00 PM – Your day is done!

When you’re not working, you’ll have time to study, explore the area, meet with friends, go shopping, or just relax.

How Much Can You Earn as an Au Pair? What About Other Benefits?

One of the best parts of being an au pair is that it’s a structured program with built-in support and benefits. Through AuPairCare, you’ll receive:

• Minimum au pair pay of $215 per week (some families may offer more)*
• Free room and board (your own private bedroom and all meals included)
• A $500 educational allowance to take college courses
• Visa support and some visa fees are covered
• 24/7 support from AuPairCare and local Area Directors
• Thorough pre-departure training and in-person orientation in New York City

Learn more about the au pair costs and benefits of AuPairCare’s au pair gap year program.

Why Working as an Au Pair is the Perfect Gap Year Program

If you're looking for a program that combines cultural immersion, education, personal growth, and work and travel in the USA, being an au pair might be exactly what you’re searching for in your gap year. Here’s why it’s a great choice.

An Authentic American Experience

Tourists live out of a suitcase, but you’ll have a space to call your own. Tourists eat at restaurants, but you’ll also be enjoying traditional, home-cooked American meals around the table with your host family. Tourists typically don’t get invited to 4th of July barbecues or Thanksgiving dinners, but you will! It’s a year full of growth, firsts, and unforgettable American experiences, like our Au Pair Geraldine explains:

“Thanksgiving was a special day for me and my Host Family! It was a beautiful day, I felt like part of your family! We were at the girls' Granny's house and as is tradition we ate turkey and wine and a lot of food! It was my first Thanksgiving here and I'm happy!”

Plus, it’s an Affordable Way to Travel

Let’s face it, many gap year programs are amazing but expensive, as travel, accommodations, food, insurance, and activities can add up quickly. In fact, it’s estimated that the average gap year traveling costs are around  $3,500 a month, or $40,000 a year if travelling for all 12 months.

An au pair program is more affordable for two reasons:

1. Your accommodation, transport, and meals are covered, saving you a lot of money
2. You earn a weekly stipend that can go towards activities, travel, or your savings

There aren’t many gap year programs that let you travel abroad for a year and come home with more money than you left with!

While you can do some travel during your au pair placement, you’ll also have 30 days after it wraps up to explore the United States before you need to go back to your home country. You can relax on a Californian beach, dance the night away in Miami, or get a taste of Chicago’s incredible pizza scene. Whichever part of the U.S. excites you the most, you’ll have the time (and money!) to check it out.

Build Valuable Life Skills and Boost Your Resume

Gap years aren’t just about having fun, they’re also an amazing chance to grow as a person. When you choose an au pair gap year work program, you'll take on real responsibilities and learn important life skills that will stick with you long after your year ends.

Being an au pair helps your career because you’ll:

• Learn to manage your time efficiently
• Develop budgeting skills
• Become an expert problem solver
• Gain formal childcare experience
• Find yourself with new levels of independence
• Work on your patience, creativity, and communication skills

These skills look great on your resume, and employers love this type of “real-world” experience because it’s often something they can’t teach. Au pair experience will help boost any CV, but it’s especially valuable if you’re thinking about a career in education, business, health, or childcare. Regina’s testimonial sums up the experience:

“Living here has really allowed me to grow and learn a lot of things about myself. I have done things that I would have never expected to experience when planning to come.”

Meet Incredible People

One of the most memorable parts of any gap year is the people you meet, and as an au pair, you’ll meet a lot of them! First and foremost, you’ll form a close relationship with your host family, becoming a trusted and valued part of their daily lives. Many au pairs describe these bonds as life-changing, with friendships that continue long after the program ends, like Kristine:

“I love my previous host family even now we keep in touch. I liked my experience as my host family was very kind to me and treated me well. I am really very grateful for my experience.”

You’ll also meet other au pairs from around the world through AuPairCare’s local support networks and organized social events that your AuPairCare Area Director puts together. These friendships can turn into a tight-knit international community, giving you the chance to connect, travel, and explore together, both during and after your year-long gap year program.

Why Choose AuPairCare? And How Do You Apply?

AuPairCare has been a trusted leader in the au pair industry since 1989, helping thousands of young people from around the world turn their dreams of living in the U.S. into reality. We prioritize au pair safety, and our team is always there to guide, support, and empower you.

Our Eligibility Criteria

AuPairCare welcomes young, energetic, and caring individuals who are passionate about childcare and cultural exchange. Before you can be an au pair in the United States with AuPairCare, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be between 18 and 26 years old
• Have proven childcare experience
• Be proficient in English
• Be unmarried with no children
• Commit to a 12-month stay in the U.S.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Pass a criminal background check
• Be in good physical and mental health

Learn more about our program and eligibility here.

How Do I Become an Au Pair with AuPairCare?

Starting your journey as an au pair isn’t as complicated as you might think! Here’s how it works:

1. Complete your AuPairCare online application
2. Meet with an AuPairCare representative
3. Once approved, create an online profile including references and childcare experience
4. Interview with host families, and match when a mutual fit is found
5. Obtain your J-1 au pair visa, sponsored by AuPairCare
6. Complete pre-departure online training
7. Join us in New York City for our AuPairCare Connect orientation event
8. Meet your host family and start your placement!

From start to finish, our team is here to answer questions, offer advice, and ensure you feel confident at every stage. Let’s take a look at what sets us apart as a leading au pair agency.

Careful Host Family Matching

A successful gap year starts with a great match, and we take choosing your host family seriously. AuPairCare works with pre-screened host families across the U.S. who are committed to the goals of the au pair program and genuinely want to welcome you into their homes.

You’ll have the opportunity to review host family profiles, speak with them directly, and ask questions to make sure it’s a good fit for both sides. Once matched, both you and the host family commit to a full year of cultural exchange, with the option to extend for up to another year if both sides agree.

Thorough Training and Orientation

Even though you already have childcare experience, we want to make sure you’re feeling prepared and confident for your year-long gap year program. Before you leave your home country, you’ll need to complete our online training assignments, which cover childcare basics, first aid, and everything you need to know about being an au pair.

Then, before meeting your host family, we’ll fly you to New York City for our unique in-person orientation event, AuPairCare Connect NYC. It’s your chance to meet AuPairCare staff, other au pairs, and experience the sights and sounds of New York. It’s helpful, educational, and a whole lot of fun!

Support Throughout Your Time as an Au Pair

What makes AuPairCare truly special is the support we provide during your entire gap year. From a dedicated local Area Director in your community to our 24/7 emergency helpline, you’ll never be alone.

Your Area Director will:

• Check in with you regularly
• Organize social events with other au pairs
• Help mediate any challenges that arise
• Be your first point of contact for anything you need

Many of our Area Directors were originally au pairs themselves (who came back to the U.S. after returning home when their program was completed), so they understand the program better than anyone. From dealing with language barriers to tackling homesickness, they can help you overcome any obstacle that comes up along the way.

Make Your Gap Year Count With AuPairCare!

Your gap year is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the world, grow personally and professionally, and create unforgettable memories, and working as an au pair in the U.S. with AuPairCare lets you do just that.

As an au pair, you’ll become part of your own American family, earn money, attend college classes, and develop skills that will shape your future. You’ll make new besties from around the world, level up your English, and come home with more than you could have ever imagined.

Make your gap year count! Apply today and start your journey with AuPairCare.