Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Dothan, AL in 2026?

In Dothan, AL, the average babysitter earns about $12.86 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $514/week or $2,229/month. Most Dothan families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$12.86/hr · Dothan average

These numbers come from 298 live babysitter listings in Dothan on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$514
$2,229
$26,749

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What drives the price

Most Dothan families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

More experienced babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $12.53/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $14.19/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience

02

Number of kids

One child is the baseline. Each additional child usually adds $1–$2/hour. Twins and infants tend toward the high end.
+$1 to $2/hour per additional child
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$12.86
2 kids~$13.86
3+ kids~$14.86+

03

Hours & schedule

Standard weekday daytime hours are easiest to staff. Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and last-minute coverage all push rates up.
10–20%premium for off-hours coverage
Hourly rate adjustment by schedule
Weekday 9–5 (standard)
Evening/weekend+$2–4/hr
Last-minute+$3–5/hr

Also factor in: live-in vs. live-out · household duties beyond childcare · driving · cooking · travel.

Full-time, part-time, and live-in babysitter rates

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$13.31/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$12.60/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$14.24/hr
Live-inSet by family$13.26/hr

Part-time runs slightly lower per hour than full-time here, which often means strong full-time demand supports higher rates for committed schedules.

Live-in rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.

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How do Dothan babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Dothan runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring babysitters in Dothan, AL typically costs about 7% less than the Alabama average of $14/hour and 23% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Dothan, AL and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Dothan, AL
Dothan, AL$13/hr
Alabama$14/hr+8%
United States$17/hr+31%

Where Dothan, AL fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.23/hour in Phenix City to $16.25/hour in Hoover.

Below: how each compares to the Dothan, AL average of $12.86/hour — Dothan, AL is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Dothan, AL ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Dothan, AL
1Hoover$16.25+26%
2Birmingham$15.84+23%
3Huntsville$15.36+19%
4Madison$15.15+18%
5Montgomery$13.79+7%
6Mobile$13.79+7%
7Auburn$13.78+7%
8Tuscaloosa$13.31+3%
Dothan$12.86
10Phenix City$12.23-5%
Most expensive nearby: Hoover ($16.25) Least expensive nearby: Phenix City ($12.23)

Tips to find a great babysitter without overpaying

  • Be flexible on experience. Some of the best babysitters on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced babysitters with 10+ years. References matter more than years.
  • Consider a share. If your kids are similar ages and you live near another family, a share is the single biggest cost reduction available without compromising on care.
  • Be specific about hours upfront. Most babysitters will take a slightly lower rate for a guaranteed steady schedule than for a higher-rate, unpredictable one.
  • Bundle benefits thoughtfully. Two weeks PTO, a health stipend, transit passes, education assistance, or an annual raise commitment can help close the gap with families offering a higher hourly rate.
  • Match rate to responsibilities. A higher rate often makes sense once you add cooking, errands, or driving. Don't compare apples to oranges across listings.

How to reduce nanny costs?

Split the cost of a nanny with another family
and enjoy flexible child care.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Dothan, AL

Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:

  1. 01

    Browse babysitter profiles in Dothan, AL

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the babysitters whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.

  3. 03

    Schedule a phone call, then a paid trial day

    Trial days feel awkward at first — that's normal. They're the best way to see how a babysitter fits with your family in real time.

  4. 04

    Hire your babysitter

    If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.

Available babysitters in Dothan, AL

298 active listings in Dothan

Hannah M. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Hannah

Dothan, AL
$12 - $15/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I hope you and your family are doing well. My name is Hannah and I have summer availability! I work front desk at an Elementary school- but I have summers off. So I'm looking to keep busy & make some extra money this summer. I have my degree in Early Childhood Education with over 10+ years of experience in childcare & nannying. One reason (there are many) that I love working and spending time with children is because seeing the world through their eyes is so exciting and new. I am flexible with my hours this summer- so whatever you're needing I could probably do for you. I can start the first/second week of June. I will gladly give references & resume upon request. Please don't hesitate to message me with any further questions.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Gema H. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Gema

Dothan, AL
$14 - $16/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Gema, and I’m a caring, responsible, and patient person who truly enjoys working with children. I have experience in professional environments that require communication, organization, and attentiveness, and I always strive to create a safe, positive, and supportive environment for kids. I’m dependable, hardworking, and able to handle responsibilities calmly while making sure children feel comfortable, cared for, and engaged. I also value building trust with both children and parents and understand the importance of reliability and safety when caring for kids.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Ryleigh G. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Ryleigh

Dothan, AL
$13/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Ryleigh, i’m 14 turning 15 in October, and i’m currently enrolled in Dothan City Virtual School. My school allows me to do it anywhere, so I can bring it with me if needed! I have very flexible hours and also reliable transportation. I am currently not CPR or first aid certified but I am working on it within these next couple weeks if I get jobs! I love working with kids, pets, and just helping in anyway possible!
Zylii N. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Zylii

Dothan, AL
$13/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

So, picture this: I'm basically a walking, talking contradiction. I can stay up all night debating the merits of different pizza toppings, but | also know all the words to every 'Dora the Explorer' song. I'm 19, which means I'm technically an adult, but my mom still calls to remind me to wear a jacket. Now, I'm applying to look after YOUR kids. I may not have decades of experience, but l've got energy for days and a secret weapon: I'm basically a giant kid myself. I'm fluent in the language of silly faces, can build a fort out of anything, and I'm not afraid to get messy. Plus, let's be real, I'm way closer to their pop culture references than you are. So, if you're looking for someone who can keep up with your little ones, teach them a TikTok dance or two (age-appropriate, of course, and maybe, just maybe, learn a thing or two from them in the process, then I'm your person. I promise to keep them safe, entertained, and maybe even sneak in a vegetable or two when they're not looking.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certification

CPR
Seth Q. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Seth

Dothan, AL
$12/hr
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hii, I’m Seth! I’m 18 and have a big heart for kids. I’m reliable, patient, and love helping children learn and grow. I’ll be starting college at UNA this fall for elementary education, and I’d love to bring kindness, fun, and care into your family’s home!!😊

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Shawn P. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Shawn

Dothan, AL
$12/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I have experience caring for children ages 4 weeks old to 12 years old. My experience is to make activities fun and i.teredtimg by planning ahead to keep the kids interested

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Leslie L. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Leslie

Dothan, AL
$14/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I love kids. And I know first aid from when I was in Dental assistant school. I also love arts and crafts. So we will have lots of fun.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Janajah B. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Janajah

Dothan, AL
$12 - $15/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I play basketball I did navy jrotc I’m the youngest out of 4 kids I love kids and I always had baby’s and toddlers around me I’m currently taking care of my nephew for the summer I try to do every summer I try to have fun and show that you can do the right way thing and still have fun

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Selah P. - Seeking Work in Dothan

Nanny Selah

Dothan, AL
$12/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! This is Selah Powell I’m 15 and I have been babysitting for 4 years and have lots of experience!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
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