What to pay a nanny in 2026

The single most common question we get: what should we pay? The honest answer is that rates depend on your market, the nanny's experience, and the complexity of your household. But the framework is consistent.

Start with the market rate

In most metro areas we serve, experienced full-time nannies earn between $22 and $32 per hour gross, with newborn specialists and household managers on the higher end. Part-time and date-night sitters typically run $20–$28 per hour.

Add for complexity

Multiples, special needs, unusual hours, driving responsibilities, or household duties beyond child-related tidying all warrant a bump. If you're asking a nanny to also manage the calendar and run errands, you're hiring a household manager, so pay reflects that.

Pay overtime, always

Nannies are non-exempt employees under federal law. Any hours over 40 in a week are 1.5x. Skipping this isn't a gray area; it's wage theft and it's the fastest way to lose a good nanny (and get sued).

Guaranteed hours are the professional standard

Great nannies get paid for their scheduled hours whether or not you use them. This is what makes the job sustainable. A nanny can't take a second job on the fly when you cancel Tuesday afternoon.

Give real raises

Annual raises of 3–5% are the floor. If your nanny has been with you three years and you haven't given a meaningful raise, expect them to leave, and expect to pay 20% more to replace them.