Hiring guide
Executive Housekeeper
A high end housekeeper protects the standard of a private residence: trained staff, exact routines, guest readiness, and careful stewardship of fine materials.
Compensation
$90,000–$140,000 base
Typical base compensation, major U.S. markets, 2026. Scope, travel, and household complexity move the range.
We advise on offer structure, schedule, housing, benefits, bonus, before every search. The right package is how great people stay.
A high end housekeeper gives a private residence one clear standard across every room, every shift, and every guest arrival. The role combines hands-on care with the judgment to direct people, routines, and priorities without pulling the principal into daily oversight.
The right hire understands fine fabrics, stone, antiques, art, linens, and the pace of a lived-in home. They set the sequence for daily care, keep supplies ready, and know when a detail needs their attention before it becomes a visible failure.
This role fits a residence with a sizeable staff, a demanding calendar, or finishes that require informed care. The result is not simply a polished home. It is a household that runs to a standard the family can trust.
What the role owns
- Direct, train, and schedule the residential care team
- Set written standards for rooms, linens, surfaces, and guest preparation
- Inspect the residence and correct small lapses before they spread
- Plan seasonal projects, rotations, and arrival preparation
- Protect fine fabrics, stone, antiques, art, and other sensitive materials
- Maintain accurate inventories for linens, supplies, and household stock
- Coordinate with household manager, estate manager, vendors, and other staff
- Communicate priorities clearly while preserving discretion and calm
What great looks like
A strong high end housekeeper knows the standard in every room and can teach it without drama.
They inspect with a clear system, then step in when a finish, fabric, or routine needs a more careful hand.
They keep linens, supplies, and guest preparation ready before the household needs them.
They understand the difference between visible polish and durable care, especially around antiques, art, stone, and fine wood.
They preserve the team's rhythm and morale so the standard survives busy weeks, travel, and changing priorities.
What to ask before you hire
- 01
What size residence and team have you led, and how did you assign zones and rotations?
- 02
Walk through your inspection system. Which details do you check before a principal or guest arrives?
- 03
How have you trained a team to care for antique furniture, art, delicate stone, or fine fabrics?
- 04
A reliable team member's work slips for two weeks. How do you diagnose the cause and reset the standard?
- 05
Describe your preparation sequence before a family returns after an extended trip.
Common decisions
Hiring an executive housekeeper: what to decide first.
What does a high end housekeeper oversee?
When does a residence need an executive housekeeper?
What background should a strong candidate bring?
How does this role work with a household manager?
Begin
Looking for an executive housekeeper?
Tell us about the household and the role. A senior advisor, not a coordinator, will come back to you within one business day.