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. Where a nanny's focus is care, a governess's focus is education — teaching academic subjects, foreign languages, music and etiquette, usually through a bespoke curriculum built around each child.

Governesses are most often engaged by high-net-worth and high-profile families, frequently work alongside other household staff, and commonly travel internationally with the family. It is 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 — often the only way for a young lady to receive an education at all. They taught reading, writing and arithmetic alongside "accomplishments" such as languages, music, painting, poetry and embroidery.

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

Today the profession has been thoroughly modernised: contemporary governesses are highly qualified educators, the role is 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.

What does a governess do?

A governess takes charge of a child's learning. Core responsibilities include:

• Teaching foundational and specialised subjects — languages, history, musical instruments
• Planning a routine that balances education with enriching activities
• Preparing children for exams, assessments and school entrance
• Ensuring homework is completed and academic milestones are met
• 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 such as 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 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

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 — Dubai, Monaco, New York, Riyadh — often pay more, with accommodation, flights and travel commonly included. See the 2026 salary breakdown by location for detailed figures.

How to become a governess

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 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

What is a governess in simple terms?

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

What is the male equivalent of a governess?

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

Does a governess still exist today?

Yes — 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 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 wellbeing; 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.