What Is a Governess? Role, Duties & Salary Explained

A governess is a privately employed educator responsible for the academic and personal development of a family's children within their own home. Whereas a nanny focuses primarily upon care, the governess's focus is education. That means teaching academic subjects, foreign languages, music, and etiquette - usually through a bespoke curriculum built especially for each child.

Governesses are most often engaged by high-net-worth and high-profile families and generally work alongside other household staff as part of a team. They may travel internationally with the family in what is considered one of the most senior and best-paid positions in private childcare.

A brief history of the governess

The governess is a time-honoured profession. In the Victorian era, governesses were typically single, middle-class women employed in upper-class and aristocratic households, where they served as primary educators. In fact, this was often the only way for a young lady to receive an education at all. Governesses taught general academics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic as well as other skills seen as "accomplishments": languages, music, painting, poetry, and embroidery.

The governess was famously an ambiguous position: neither family nor servant, the governess spent more time with the children than anyone else in the household. Nevertheless, she often stood apart from both the family and the staff.

Popular culture has given us one of the world's most famous governesses in The Sound of Music. While few modern governesses will find themselves singing on Austrian hillsides or introducing children to "Do-Re-Mi," Maria's greatest strength wasn't her voice; it was her ability to build trust and inspire curiosity, adapting her teaching style to match each child's personality.

Governesses today have a slightly more straightforward job description; you're far more likely to be preparing for school entrance exams than evading the authorities across the Alps. But even so, the lesson remains the same: every family is different, and successful governesses therefore combine their professionalism with warmth, structure and flexibility!

Today the profession has been thoroughly modernised. Contemporary governesses are highly qualified educators. The role is also now open to men (a male governess is known as a governor). And demand from affluent international families—often via specialist staffing agencies — has never been higher.

So what does a governess do?

The governess takes charge of the child's learning. Core responsibilities include:

• Teaching foundational and specialised subjects (specialised being along the lines of languages, history, musical instruments, etc.)
• Planning a routine to balance education and 'enriching' activities
• Preparing children for exams, assessments and school entrance
• Ensuring homework is completed and academic milestones are met as required
• Instilling proper manners, etiquette and good behaviour
• Communicating with schools, tutors and parents about each child's progress

Domestic and childcare tasks usually sit with nannies or housekeepers; the governess's remit is academic. For a detailed breakdown of the day-to-day role, including 2026 salaries by location, see our full guide: What Does a Governess Do? And if you're about to start in the role, here are ten tips for starting a new governor or governess job.

Governess vs nanny vs tutor

The simplest distinction: a nanny cares, a governess educates, and a tutor teaches specific subjects on a sessional basis. The governess occupies a unique role between a nanny and a tutor — a trusted household member with the academic remit of an educator.

Who hires a governess—and why?

Modern governesses are employed by affluent and high-profile families (including royalty!) in the UK and increasingly in international postings, including Dubai, Monaco, Switzerland and the United States.

The most common reasons families choose a governess:

• Personalised education — one-to-one instruction tailored to each child's learning style
• Exam and school preparation — structured support for entrance assessments
• Languages and cultural enrichment — immersion in second and/or third languages, often from a well-travelled educator
• Manners and etiquette — social confidence, poise and propriety
• Privacy, security and continuity — a trusted, consistent presence in high-profile households, especially valuable through moves and travel
• Homeschooling support — a complete, structured academic programme delivered at home

Types of governess roles

"Governess" covers several distinct working patterns, and knowing which one a family means is essential before applying or hiring:

• Live-in governess — the classic arrangement: accommodation within the household, full immersion in the children's routine, and usually the highest total package once housing is accounted for
• Daily (or live-out) governess — lives out and works school-day hours. Common in London or Dubai, where candidates often have their own homes.
• Travelling or rota governess — follows the family between residences and works in blocks (commonly two weeks on, two weeks off, often paired with a second governess). Standard among families splitting the year between, say, London, Dubai and Monaco.
• Bilingual governess — engaged specifically to deliver a second language as part of daily life; French, Russian, Mandarin and Spanish are the most requested, and fluency adds a significant premium.
• Governess-tutor — a hybrid engaged around a specific academic goal, most often school entrance exams, sitting between a full governess role and sessional tutoring.

How much does a governess earn?

Governess salaries are among the highest in private childcare, reflecting the qualifications and trust the role demands. In London, experienced governesses typically earn £50,000–£100,000 gross per year, and international roles (like Dubai, Monaco, New York, and Riyadh) often pay more, with accommodation, flights, and travel commonly included. See the 2026 salary breakdown by location for detailed figures.

Within those ranges, four things move the number most:

• Location and tax — Gulf placements are typically paid tax-free with accommodation, flights and medical cover on top, so a lower headline figure can out-earn a London salary.
• Languages — genuine teaching fluency in a second language is the single most reliable premium in the market.
• Curriculum and exam expertise — experience preparing children for British school entrance or IB programmes commands more than general tuition.
• Travel and rota commitment — roles that follow the family internationally, or run on rota, pay above equivalent single-residence positions.

How to become a governess

The most in-demand governesses hold a degree and/or a teaching qualification (PGCE or QTS), have at least two years' experience teaching or tutoring, offer additional languages or specialist subjects, and carry enhanced background checks with strong references. To see what leading families are looking for right now, browse live governess jobs on Jobs in Childcare — and be sure to read our guide to getting the highest-paid childcare jobs.

How to hire a governess

Families and agencies recruiting a governess can reach experienced, pre-qualified private educators directly by posting a governess role on Jobs in Childcare, or by searching our candidate database of childcare and household professionals.

Frequently asked questions

So what is a governess in the simplest terms?

A governess is a private educator employed by a family to teach and develop their children at home—focusing on academics, languages, and etiquette rather than day-to-day care.

What is the male equivalent of a governess?

A male governess is a governor. The role is identical: a privately employed educator responsible for a family's children.

So do governesses still exist today?

Yes, they do! The profession has seen strong modern demand, particularly from high-net-worth and international families seeking personalised education, languages, and exam preparation at home.

How much does a governess usually earn?

Experienced governesses in London typically earn £50,000–£100,000 gross per year, with international and ultra-high-net-worth roles often paying more plus accommodation and travel.

What is the difference between a governess and a nanny?

A nanny is responsible for a child's care and daily well-being; a governess is responsible for their education and development. A nanny cares; a governess teaches.

A final word

From the Victorian schoolroom to the private jet, the governess has always been the answer to the same question: how do you give a child a truly exceptional, personal education? Today that answer is a highly qualified professional at the heart of some of the world's most interesting households, and one of the most rewarding, best-paid careers in private childcare.

Ready for your next chapter? Browse live governess and governor jobs with leading families in London, Dubai, Monaco, and beyond—or set up a job alert and let the right role find you!

Hiring for your family or agency? Post your governess role here.