Many argue that being a stay-at-home mom is harder work than going into an office. There are no financial benefits, no paycheck, barely any time off, and often, very little thanks. Previous research has found that a SAHM’s salary should actually be over $145,000 a year if you factor in all the roles and tasks she performs.
One woman says she’s been a SAHM for more than 10 years. She’s always depended on her husband financially and doesn’t even have her own bank card. The mom of two was left reeling recently when her husband said he wants a divorce and would be cutting off her access to his finances. In a TikTok video, the woman has warned others of the dangers of being a SAHM, but not everyone feels sorry for her.
This stay-at-home mom has always depended on her husband for money, but now he wants a divorce
She’s 37 with 2 kids, no income, no safety net, and doesn’t even have her own bank account
And you can watch her video here:
@cortneygetsfit I never thought I’d be here. 37 years old. Two kids. No income. No safety net. And suddenly being told I need to ‘use my own card’ when I don’t even HAVE one. This is the reality for so many stay-at-home moms — and nobody prepares us for it. Maybe this is why I’ve been drowning in anxiety and depression. But I’m sharing it because too many of us are suffering in silence. If you’re going through something similar, you’re not alone. We deserve security. We deserve support. We deserve to feel safe starting over. #sahm #womenempowerment #divorcesupport #mentalhealthmatters #momsoftiktok @Cortney Gets Fit ♬ original sound – Cortney Gets Fit
A stay-at-home mom could, or should, earn around $145,235 annually, if not more
It is said that a mother’s work is never done. And some might even argue that even that is an understatement. One report found that the work mothers do in and around the home could be worth the equivalent of a six-figure salary.
The Insure.com Mother’s Day Index revealed that a stay-at-home mom could, or should, earn around $145,235 a year, if not more. That figure is up 4% from 2024.
These figures aren’t just thumb-sucked. The team uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, along with hourly rates, to work out the salary.
“Stay-at-home mothers juggle multiple jobs behind the scenes without compensation,” says Insure.com Managing Editor Nupur Gambhir. “The Mother’s Day Index is our way of recognizing some of the economic value of caregivers – their extraordinary workload would easily earn them six figures in the job market.”
As many moms will tell you, they’re juggling dozens of tasks daily. They’re chefs, childminders, cleaners, hairdressers, stylists, and even mental health counselors, to name a few.
According to Insure.com, many of the jobs a mom does have seen rises in their average hourly rate over the last year. This, in turn, pushed up the amount of money a mom should be paid.
Image credits: Kireyonok_Yuliya / freepik (not the actual photo)
Here’s a breakdown of a SAHM’s potential salary, based on their many jobs:
- Accountant/Auditor: 0.5 hours per week, $1,169 annual wage
- Baker: 3 hours per week, $435 annual wage
- Chauffeurs: 9 hours per week, $8,794 annual wage
- Childcare Worker: 40 hours per week, $33,134 annual wage
- Cook: 14 hours per week, $12,478 annual wage
- Elementary School Teacher: 20 hours per week, $24,156 annual wage
- Hairdresser: 0.5 hours per week, $543 annual wage
- Judge: 3 hours per week, $10,320 annual wage
- Landscaping: 1 hour per week, $1,022 annual wage
- Laundry Workers: 4 hours per week, $3,268 annual wage
- Licensed Nurse: 2 hours per week, $740 annual wage
- Maids/Housekeeping: 10 hours per week, $9,043 annual wage
- Meeting & Convention: 8 hours per week, $2,003 annual wage
- Mental Health Counselor: 5 hours per week, $5,584 annual wage
- Social Service Specialist: 40 hours per week, $13,459 annual wage
- Other Designers: 5 hours per week, $1,500 annual wage
- Other Teachers: 10 hours per week, $13,768 annual wage
- Personal Care Aides: 3 hours per week, $2,624 annual wage
- Private Detective: 5 hours per week, $1,186 annual wage
These are the figures listed on the Insure.com 2025 Mother’s Day Index.
Together, it totals 183 hours per week on average, and is equal to an annual salary of $145,235. But as we know, most of, if not all of this work is performed for free.
People were divided, with some saying the woman should have known better
