Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Lake Forest, CA in 2026?
In Lake Forest, CA, the average babysitter earns about $23.15 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $926/week or $4,013/month. Most Lake Forest families pay somewhere in the $17–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$23.15/hr · Lake Forest average
These numbers come from 66 live babysitter listings in Lake Forest on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $926
- Monthly
- $4,013
- Annual
- $48,152
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Lake Forest families pay somewhere in the $17–$30/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
01
Experience
Experience is one of the biggest levers on a babysitter's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.
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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $23.15 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$24.15 |
| 3+ kids | ~$25.15+ |
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
| 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $23.77/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $23.75/hr |
Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.
How do Lake Forest babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Lake Forest is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Lake Forest, CA typically costs about 4% more than the California average of $22/hour and 23% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Lake Forest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest, CA | $23/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | -4% |
| United States | $19/hr | -19% |
Where Lake Forest, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $18.83/hour in Fresno to $27.70/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Lake Forest, CA average of $23.15/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Lake Forest, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.70 | +20% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.01 | +8% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.36 | +5% | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.18 | — | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.05 | -5% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.76 | -10% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.73 | -15% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.55 | -16% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $18.96 | -18% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.83 | -19% |
● Most expensive nearby: San Francisco ($27.70)● Least expensive nearby: Fresno ($18.83)
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Lake Forest, 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:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Lake Forest, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the babysitters whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.
- 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.
- 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 Lake Forest, CA
66 active listings in Lake Forest
Nanny Taylor
Nanny Taylor
Lake Forest, CA
$17 - $37/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I'm a rising second year student at Ole Miss! I'm 18 years old, 1 of 4 kids, My favorite color is pink and my hobbies arts and crafts, getting in the sun, and staying active.I love kids and also volunteer at Harbor Point Church with children's Ministry.
Nanny Dakota
Nanny Dakota
Lake Forest, CA
$22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I am Dakota :) I am 20 years old and go to Rhodes College in Memphis, TN! I play softball and am a Biology major with a minor in Spanish on the pre-med track! I'm looking for a job for about 5 weeks while I'm home for college! I have worked at Kids Factory for 2 years as both an employee and site lead!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Keila
Nanny Keila
Lake Forest, CA
$20.37 - $23.37/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hii!! My name is Keila. I’m a friendly, responsible, and compassionate person who genuinely enjoys working with children. I love helping kids feel safe and happy. I’m patient, responsible, and love creating a fun and supportive environment where children can feel comfortable and have a great time!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Ruth
Nanny Ruth
Lake Forest, CA
$23/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I'm Ruth! I've been nannying the same family for about 3-4 years now but they've outgrown me and I'm looking for a new family and also some experience with nannying younger kids!
Nanny Lexi
Nanny Lexi
Lake Forest, CA
$22.32/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello my name is Lexi! I am a 16 year old at El Toro High School. I love kids and have always been great with them! I have a brother who is 6 and on the spectrum so I have gained a lot of knowledge and patience when it comes to little ones! I am a very responsible person who loves to see kids have the best time.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Celeste
Nanny Celeste
Lake Forest, CA
$23/hr
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I love children, I have experience in taking care of children for 4 years. I worked with Jewish families and I have their recommendations.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Ingrid
Nanny Ingrid
Lake Forest, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
I am a calm, caring, and easygoing person. I like to create a peaceful and positive environment, and I always try to be patient and understanding, especially with children. I am 23 years old and have 4 years of paid experience.
I am also very responsible and attentive, and I take my role seriously when it comes to the child’s safety and well-being. At the same time, I like to bring a warm and fun energy, so children feel comfortable, happy, and supported.
In my free time, I enjoy working out, going to the beach, hiking, and spending time outdoors. I also like simple things like relaxing, spending time with friends, and taking care of myself. I enjoy being active but also appreciate calm moments.
I am looking for a family where I can feel comfortable and respected, and where I can build a good connection with both the parents and the children. I value good communication, trust, and a positive environment, and I want to be part of a family where I can help and also feel appreciated.
I am also very responsible and attentive, and I take my role seriously when it comes to the child’s safety and well-being. At the same time, I like to bring a warm and fun energy, so children feel comfortable, happy, and supported.
In my free time, I enjoy working out, going to the beach, hiking, and spending time outdoors. I also like simple things like relaxing, spending time with friends, and taking care of myself. I enjoy being active but also appreciate calm moments.
I am looking for a family where I can feel comfortable and respected, and where I can build a good connection with both the parents and the children. I value good communication, trust, and a positive environment, and I want to be part of a family where I can help and also feel appreciated.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Janeese
Nanny Janeese
Lake Forest, CA
$22.10/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I raised my son by myself as a single mother and when my widowed mother started having health problems I moved in with her and was her caregiver, preparing meals, taking her to her appointments, cleaning her home, helping her shower, dressing her, and fixing her hair so she felt pretty.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Olivia
Nanny Olivia
Lake Forest, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hello! My name is Olivia, and I am a recent Gonzaga University graduate with a degree in Elementary Education and Spanish. This past year, I worked as a long-term substitute teacher for an 8th-grade classroom, which gave me incredible experience managing schedules, homework help, and behavioral needs. When I’m not teaching, I love staying active outdoors whether that is going on hikes or playing tennis with friends.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid