Moms Would be Paid Less in 2011

The results of Salary.com’s 2011 survey indicate that stay-at-home moms earned a base salary of $36,968 plus $78,464 in overtime for the 10 occupations assigned, bringing her total compensation to $115,432. Last year, this number was $117,856 (see Mom’s ‘Salary’ Hits the Skids).    

Mothers working outside the home earned a “mom” base salary of $39,763 plus $23,709 in overtime totaling $63,472 in addition to the compensation from their day job. In 2010, this number was significantly higher at $71,860.   

According to a press release, Salary.com assigned Mom the following job titles: Day Care Center Teacher, CEO, Psychologist, Cook, Housekeeper, Laundry Machine Operator, Computer Operator I, Facilities Manager, Janitor and Van Driver.  

The study found the typical stay-at-home mom spends 13.2 hours as a day care center teacher; 3.9 hours as the family’s CEO; 7.6 hours as a psychologist; 14.1 hours as a cook; 15.4 as a housekeeper; 6.6 hours doing laundry; 9.5 hours as a computer operator; 10.7 hours as a facilities manager; 7.8 hours as a janitor and 7.8 hours as a van driver. Also uncovered was Mom’s increased role as family psychologist and facilities manager and diminished role as CEO.  

Evilee Ebb, General Manager of Salary.com, commented in the press release: “In this year’s results, we see that Mom is spending more time in ‘do it yourself’ mode by stepping up her facilities manager role. Equally interesting is her expanded focus on being the family psychologist – perhaps a reflection on Mom’s attempts to stave off the impact of economic uncertainties and turbulent times in her household.”  

This year’s survey considered the input of 6,616 mothers; 1,724 of whom are working outside the home and 4,892 stay-at-home moms. The survey opened on April 16, 2010, and closed on April 1, 2011.