Homemaker Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a homemaker. Feel free to use our homemaker job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a homemaker.
Who is a Homemaker?
Homemaking is an uncommon term that is more commonly referred to as housekeeping or homemaking. It is a term that refers to the process of keeping a home clean, functional, and in good repair. It could also refer to the process of decorating or organizing a home. At one time, homemaking was viewed as a task reserved for women, frequently to the exclusion of other work; this is no longer the case, and all members of the household should contribute to keeping the home a pleasant place to live.
There is no universally accepted definition of homemaking, and it can mean a variety of things to different people. One of the most frequently used definitions of housekeeping is that it entails cleaning the entire house, doing laundry, and keeping everything in working order around the house. Creating an organizational system for the home and then maintaining it can be considered part of maintaining a home. Additionally, decorating the home for the holidays is an important aspect of home maintenance.
To some, this may also include meal preparation and grocery shopping. Managing household finances and paying bills may also be considered to be a component of homemaking. Additionally, homemaking may entail maintaining the exterior of a home, such as landscaping, cutting the grass, or shoveling snow during the winter. Pet care is another important aspect of successfully managing a home.
Household management may include all of these tasks and more, which is why all family members must participate in home maintenance. Of course, women and men may choose to devote their lives to homemaking and child-rearing rather than working outside the home, which is also an option. Because housekeeping means different things to different families, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. There are numerous books and online resources available to individuals who are just starting on their own and want to learn more about household management.
The terms “homemaking” and “housekeeping” are interchangeable, except when referring to a specific type of employment. Housekeeping is more frequently used to refer to the job of cleaning in a commercial establishment such as a hotel or motel, as well as cleaning in an office building or another person’s home. This type of housekeeping is compensated, whereas homemaking in one’s own home is unfortunately unpaid work, though compensation can certainly be found in other ways.
A homemaker is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a family household. Generally, the term refers to an individual who does not work outside the home. A homemaker’s responsibilities may include child care, cleaning, cooking, managing the family’s activity schedule, and running family errands. A homemaker may also be referred to as a “stay-at-home mom,” although men have been known to fill this role as well. Unlike other domestic service workers such as nannies or housekeepers, the majority of homemakers are family members.
Individuals become mothers for a variety of reasons. For some, it’s a matter of preference — they prefer childcare and household management to work outside the home. Others make financial decisions. Child care costs, particularly when there are young children in the family, can be close to or exceed the salary of one parent. In some countries, the majority of households have one member who works outside the home and one who does not.
Whatever motivates you to be a homemaker, the hours are long and the ability to multitask is critical. A typical day for a homemaker may consist of preparing meals for the children, transporting them to activities or doctor’s appointments, doing laundry, grocery shopping, and paying bills. A homemaker is not bound by fixed hours, vacation days, or a salary. As a result of these factors, some argue that it is one of the most difficult and demanding jobs available.
Homemakers come from all areas of life and range in age from men to women. Some have children, while others are childless. For some, the position is temporary — they may leave a job outside the home to raise small children and return after a few years. Others discover that being a stay-at-home mom is not for them and return to work sooner. Others never work outside the home and spend their entire lives as housewives.
While almost anyone can be a homemaker, the majority of them have developed certain skills along the way. Typically, homemakers must be organized and adaptable to switch between various activities throughout the day. When it comes to finances, the ability to manage money is frequently critical. They frequently must also keep track of the hectic schedules of multiple people in a household. Additionally, creativity can be necessary to keep children entertained.
Numerous homemakers take on additional responsibilities outside of their primary household responsibilities. They may look after senior relatives, pets, or children whose parents work outside the home. They frequently volunteer for community organizations and assist with church and school events as well. To assist with family expenses, some homemakers may also work part-time jobs, either from home or outside the home.
Homemaker Job Description
Below are the homemaker job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a homemaker job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a homemaker include the following:
- Engaging in shopping weekly.
- Budgeting and budget monitoring.
- Cleaning, cooking, and laundry are all part of the job.
- Establishing and supervising property maintenance schedules.
- Coordinating all other aspects of household management.
- Taking care of children.
- Providing guidance to household owners on housekeeping issues.
- Maintaining current nutrition and hygiene standards.
- Keeping track of family finances, paying bills, and setting money aside for savings
- Conducting routine household tasks such as dusting furniture, vacuuming floors, dishwashing, and cleaning bathrooms
- Preparing meals for the family, which includes menu planning and grocery shopping
- Cleaning the interior and exterior of the home to ensure a safe environment for the family
- Providing childcare for children of all ages while their parents work or attend to other obligations
- Assembling a sufficient supply of food and other necessities for the family
- Organizing family activities such as park or museum visits, family dinners, and holiday celebrations
Other important tasks are the following:
- Child care
Child care is typically left to homemakers during the day, although many working parents assist when they return home. Homemakers typically stay at home with younger children, feeding and diapering them. As children develop, mothers are responsible for providing a happy, healthy environment that promotes positive emotional and physical development. Additionally, they assist in disciplining children and instilling positive habits in them before entering preschool. If the children are older, the mothers pick them up from school or wait for their arrival at home. Additionally, they assist with homework, prepare after-school snacks, and transport them to events. Some stay-at-home moms opt to homeschool their children.
- Home Management
Homemakers perform the functions of a household manager and bookkeeper. They arrange for and transport children to medical and dental appointments. Homemakers purchase necessary items daily, such as groceries and school supplies. They maintain a schedule of all household activities and ensure that everyone stays on track. Parents who stay at home pay bills and manage household budgets. They make significant financial decisions in collaboration with their partner. Additionally, homemakers are responsible for home maintenance, whether they choose to do it themselves or hire a professional. They frequently take care of car maintenance and repair as well.
- Cooking and housekeeping
Typically, homemakers are responsible for meals and cleaning. While some delegate tasks to others when necessary, many continue to perform the majority of the major duties themselves. Homemakers organize household items, perform laundry, and maintain the yard. Cleaning responsibilities vary, but typically include dishwashing, floor cleaning, sanitizing, and window cleaning. Homemakers are also responsible for meal preparation. They shop for groceries, prepare daily meals, and occasionally prepare meals ahead of time. Some prepare school lunches for their children or spouses’ work lunches. Additionally, stay-at-home parents prepare infant bottles and ensure that everyone in the household has nutritious meals.
- Budget Management
A major component of the homemaker’s job description is developing, maintaining, and supervising the family budget. This includes managing banking, checking, and household finances, as well as investing and developing long-term financial plans. If there is a spouse or partner, major purchases (such as a house) and retirement strategies are made jointly.
- Household Payments
A homemaker is responsible for paying household bills, preparing household taxes, and maintaining a record of credit card statements. A homemaker’s role frequently entails allocating appropriate financial resources as the household’s needs dictate, such as saving for an emergency fund or vacation trip.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
- Experience of at least five years.
- First Aid certification.
Essential Skills
- Communication skills
A homemaker’s communication skills are required to maintain constant contact with both his or her employees and the children while caring for them. Thus, homemakers must possess a commendable communication ability that enables them to communicate effectively with both their employers and their children.
- Cooking skills
Cooking skills are a necessary component of many homemaking jobs. In most cases, homemakers are required to have professional cooking experience or certification, as they will be entirely responsible for the household’s grocery and food supplies.
- Knowledge of child-caring
Homemakers must have experience working with children. Prior experience working with child development or infant care programs is a plus.
- Interpersonal skills
Companionship is provided by homemakers to aging adults. They must take pleasure in assisting them with daily living activities while demonstrating compassion and sensitivity to their emotions.
- Detail-oriented
Homemakers are frequently expected to assist seniors with medication recall. Additionally, they may be required to follow detailed physician instructions, such as how to recognize changes in the senior’s condition or how to dress wounds. A keen eye for detail is critical to ensuring the patient is properly cared for.
- Integrity
Homemakers work with patients who are extremely vulnerable and must be able to reassure them when assisting them with personal activities such as bathing. Additionally, they must be trustworthy and dependable for family members to feel secure leaving the aging senior in their care.
- Stamina
Homemakers frequently spend the majority of their day on their feet and must be able to do so without losing energy or their ability to concentrate on their work. Additionally, they must be comfortable and capable of performing physical tasks such as turning clients or transferring them from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to the toilet.
How to Become a Homemaker
- Pursue professional development and certification
While certification is not required in all states, many recommend it for aspiring homemakers. Homemakers who work for Medicare or Medicaid-covered agencies must have a certain level of training and pass a certification examination.
Certain home care placement agencies do offer training to candidates interested in pursuing this career. However, pursuing training and certification on your own can set you apart from other candidates. Formal education is available through vocational schools, community colleges, and programs for caregivers of the elderly. Additionally, homemakers are typically required to possess CPR certification.
- Accumulate experience
Begin by volunteering as a companion or sitter to gain experience and determine whether you enjoy the schedule and work. Additionally, some experience in the role will make you more appealing to agencies seeking homemakers.
- Investigate possible agency opportunities
If you enjoy the work, consider applying for a position with a homemaker placement agency. If you require additional training or lack formal training for the position, look for agencies that advertise training as a perk of employment.
- Take into account additional education.
Consider pursuing additional training and certification as a certified nursing assistant to gain additional responsibility and a higher salary (CNA). CNAs assist patients with basic daily activities in addition to providing hands-on healthcare.
Where to Work Homemaker
Most Homemakers are self-employed. Homemakers frequently volunteer for community organizations and assist with church and school events as well. To assist with family expenses, some homemakers may also work part-time jobs, either from home or outside the home.
Homemaker Salary Scale
In the United States, the national average salary for a Home Maker is $35,368 per year.