Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

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

In Lincoln, CA, the average babysitter earns about $20.44 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $818/week or $3,543/month. Most Lincoln families pay somewhere in the $17–$28/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$20.44/hr · Lincoln average

These numbers come from 47 live babysitter listings in Lincoln on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$818
$3,543
$42,515

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What drives the price

Most Lincoln families pay somewhere in the $17–$28/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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$20.44
2 kids~$21.44
3+ kids~$22.44+

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.

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

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

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

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Lincoln, CA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Lincoln, CA
Lincoln, CA$20/hr
California$22/hr+9%
United States$19/hr-8%

Where Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, CA average of $20.44/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Lincoln, CA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Lincoln, CA
1San Francisco$27.70+36%
2San Jose$25.01+22%
3Los Angeles$24.36+19%
4San Diego$23.18+13%
5Long Beach$22.05+8%
6Sacramento$20.76+2%
7Riverside$19.73-3%
8Stockton$19.55-4%
9Bakersfield$18.96-7%
10Fresno$18.83-8%
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.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, CA

47 active listings in Lincoln

Jayden A. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Jayden

Lincoln, CA
$21 - $23/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Jayden, and I'm currently in the middle of earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in the Sacramento area. I also work per diem as a Medical Assistant at Kaiser Permanente, which has given me valuable experience caring for others and staying calm in a variety of situations.

As a full-time nursing student, I'm looking for a flexible babysitting position that fits around my school and work schedule. Caring for children has always been something I enjoy. I started babysitting at a young age, worked at La Petite Academy for six months caring for toddlers, and grew up in a big family.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Carissa K. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Carissa

Lincoln, CA
$18 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a 17 year old college student studying to become an elementary school teacher. I love to work with kids and any experience I can gain that would make me a more well rounded educator is super important to me! I am super enthusiastic and hardworking and I also run cross country for my college so I am very active and sporty and would fit in well with active ir competitive children(or families that wish to be active :)) I am also crafty, and can be super girly at times so I fit in well with most groups of kids. I can also cook as well. I have lots of experience with all age groups of children, 2-13, through my various jobs and internships in day cares, summer camps, and classroom and library work. Please reach out if you believe I would be a good fit for your family! 💓💓

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Savanah R. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Savanah

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

A little bit about me

I am a nursing student in the Sacramento area looking for a part-time nanny job. I have had tons of experience around kids. My mom used to own a daycare and I worked under her! I am passionate about kiddos and my dream job is to become a pediatric nurse !

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Blake K. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Blake

Lincoln, CA
$20/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m Blake and I’m 15 years old and I will be working with my freind nevaeh our hobbies are playing softball and hanging out with friends.
Natalie B. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Natalie

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

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Natalie and I am 19 years old from Lincoln, CA and I was been working with kids from ages 3 months - 12 years old for about 9 months. I currently work for a private company however I have been wanting to do babysitting outside of that company as well! I am also First Aid and CPR certified for all ages! I am a college student as well!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Faith C. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Faith

Lincoln, CA
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I am 22 years old, doing online college. I have a flexible schedule. I have over 5 years of experience caring for children aged 3 and older. My younger siblings are hyper active, so I have gained valuable experience from looking after them. Additionally, I have provided overnight and daytime care for friends and family members children. I enjoy engaging with kids and organizing enjoyable activities for them. I have previously worked as a math tutor and can assist with any homework to the best of my knowledge.

Certification

CPR
Simone P. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Simone

Lincoln, CA
$23/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Simone and I’m 24 years old! I have worked with younger children from as young as 7 weeks old to school age for about 5 years now. I have experience working in a daycare, as well, as babysitting experience. I received my Associates degree in Early Childhood Education in 2025, and currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Education. I have my
drivers license, own car and perfect driving record. I love watching little kids grow, as well as, teaching them new things. I would love to be a family or child therapist in the future! I look forward to getting to know you all! :)

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Savannah P. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Savannah

Lincoln, CA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
9 years experience

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Aubrey d. - Seeking Work in Lincoln

Nanny Aubrey

Lincoln, CA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

Have experience working with

Infants
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