How much should I pay my nanny?
Reviewed September 2026 against the same data that powers Kindred's free calculators.
Most US families pay a nanny between $18 and $32 per hour. Where you land depends mostly on your metro area, then on experience, number of children, and duties. In lower-cost regions $18 to $22 is typical; in the most expensive metros $28 to $32 and up is normal.
Typical rates by region
Benchmarks for an experienced live-out nanny, gross wages before taxes:
- Lower-cost regions (much of the South and Midwest): around $18/hour
- Average-cost regions: around $22/hour
- Higher-cost regions (Seattle, Denver, Chicago, DC suburbs): around $28/hour
- Highest-cost metros (San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Boston, Los Angeles): around $32/hour
What moves the rate up or down
- Experience and specialties: infant care, twins, special needs, and teaching background all command more
- Number of children: expect a modest bump per additional child, not a doubling
- Extra duties: cooking for the family, driving, housekeeping beyond the kids
- Guaranteed hours, paid time off, and on-the-books pay: strong nannies weigh the whole package, not just the rate
Remember the taxes in your budget
Employer payroll taxes add roughly 10% on top of gross wages. A $22/hour full-time nanny is about $45,760 in wages and about $50,336 all-in.
Related
Figures are regional planning benchmarks, not quotes. Real rates depend on experience, duties, schedule, and your local market.