Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Davis, CA in 2026?

In Davis, CA, the average babysitter earns about $20.52 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $821/week or $3,557/month. Most Davis families pay somewhere in the $17–$26/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$20.52/hr · Davis average

These numbers come from 78 live babysitter listings in Davis on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$821
$3,557
$42,682

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What drives the price

Most Davis families pay somewhere in the $17–$26/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

Experience doesn't make a noticeable difference to babysitter rates in Davis, CA. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $20.84/hour, and the most experienced (3-5 yrs) come in at a similar $20.84/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)$20.52
2 kids~$21.52
3+ kids~$22.52+

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
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$20.24/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$20.85/hr
Browse babysitters

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

Davis runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring babysitters in Davis, CA typically costs about 9% less than the California average of $22/hour and 8% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Davis, CA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Davis, CA
Davis, CA$21/hr
California$22/hr+9%
United States$19/hr-8%

Where Davis, CA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.85/hour in Fresno to $27.87/hour in San Francisco.

Below: how each compares to the Davis, CA average of $20.52/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Davis, CA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Davis, CA
1San Francisco$27.87+36%
2San Jose$25.18+23%
3Los Angeles$24.44+19%
4San Diego$23.38+14%
5Long Beach$22.25+8%
6Sacramento$20.77+1%
7Riverside$19.70-4%
8Stockton$19.64-4%
9Bakersfield$19.01-7%
10Fresno$18.85-8%
Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($27.87) Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.85)

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 Davis, CA

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 Davis, CA

    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 Davis, CA

78 active listings in Davis

Jamailah Jannaiah J. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Jamailah Jannaiah

Davis, CA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Jamailah, a university student studying Theatre and Dance, as well as education! I love making art, watching movies, and eating food!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Milan A. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Milan

Davis, CA
$19 - $24/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Milan, a student at UC Davis. I love children and have been babysitting my friends and family’s kids for as long as I can remember. I’ve also taught children to swim for the past four years. I can’t wait to work with you!!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Juliana Y. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Juliana

Davis, CA
$18 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

UC Davis alumni with a minor in Education, I’ve been working in pet care for the last five years in the area and love the fulfillment that caring for people’s furbabies brought into my life! I live in Davis with my partner, Brendan, and our dog & cat :)
As a big sister and oldest of my cousins in a Filipino-Chinese family, I’ve always enjoyed the company of kids, and often was teasingly called mom.
My family is in the Bay Area and miss getting to help out with little ones on a regular basis, nannying seems like a perfect way to channel that energy and connect with my community in the most meaningful way!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Michelle O. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Michelle

Davis, CA
$20/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m Michelle, I just graduated from high school. I love being around kids and have 5 siblings. I know how to have fun but am also a very reliable person to have around your kids.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Georgia N. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Georgia

Davis, CA
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
7 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m a current Child Development Major with over 7 years of experience in nannying and babysitting. I have experience with infants, toddlers, preschool and school aged children. Passionate about creating a safe, engaging, and supportive environment for children to learn and grow. I pride myself in my patience, level headedness, and ability to remain calm under pressure. I enjoy swimming, running, baking, and drawing.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Karina P. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Karina

Davis, CA
$22/hr
Full-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

HI ! My name is Karina. I'm a part time college student majoring in Early Childhood Edu + a full time chef for a child development center in Sacramento. I have 5 years of experience working with infants and tots. I absolutely love caring for children. I'm calm natured, gentle, responsive, child-led, and love being outside.
I'm very comfortable caring for infants and young children.
I'd describe my personality as optimistic, empathetic with a strong sense of wonder!
I am deeply connect to my inner child and it's why I love working with kids! My desire to learn , to see the good in everything, to explore, to experiment and always chase the feeling of wonder are deeply important to who I am.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Shayna V. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Shayna

Davis, CA
$19/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a responsible, caring, and patient college student majoring in Neurobiology at UC Davis. With years of experience in tutoring and teaching painting to children of all ages, I bring a balance of fun, safety, and learning! I am dependable, attentive, and love creating a positive environment!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Amanda S. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Amanda

Davis, CA
$19/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Amanda, I did track and field at uc davis this past year. Ive been coaching gymnastics and babysitting little kids ages 1-16+ for about 3 years now. I do birthday parties and gymnastics camps for when kids have breaks for school. I love working with them, having fun with them and just being there for the kids.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Malia D. - Seeking Work in Davis

Nanny Malia

Davis, CA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My names Malia and I am second year undergraduate student at UC Davis! I come from a family of 7 and love to read, line dance, and go to the lake!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
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