Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
In Los Angeles, CA, the average babysitter earns about $24.44 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $978/week or $4,236/month. Most Los Angeles families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 2,772 live babysitter listings in Los Angeles on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $978
- Monthly
- $4,236
- Annual
- $50,835
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What drives the price
Most Los Angeles families pay somewhere in the $17–$35/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $24.44 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$25.44 |
| 3+ kids | ~$26.44+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $26.22/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $24.76/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $24.51/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $24.86/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.
How do Los Angeles babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Los Angeles is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Los Angeles, CA typically costs about 9% more than the California average of $22/hour and 29% more than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $24/hr | — |
| California | $22/hr | -8% |
| United States | $19/hr | -22% |
Where Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA average of $24.44/hour — Los Angeles, CA is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $27.87 | +14% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $25.18 | +3% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $24.44 | — | |
| 4 | San Diego | $23.38 | -4% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $22.25 | -9% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $20.77 | -15% | |
| 7 | Riverside | $19.70 | -19% | |
| 8 | Stockton | $19.64 | -20% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $19.01 | -22% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $18.85 | -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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
2,772 active listings in Los Angeles
Nanny Grace
Nanny Grace
A little bit about me
Tengo facilidad para conectar con los niños y disfruto acompañarlos en sus actividades diarias, ayudar con sus tareas, preparar comidas sencillas, mantener sus espacios ordenados y realizar actividades educativas y recreativas.
Me considero una persona puntual, organizada y comprometida con las necesidades de cada familia. Mi prioridad siempre es brindar un cuidado atento, respetuoso y seguro.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Jordan
Nanny Jordan
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Sarai
Nanny Sarai
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Stella
Nanny Stella
A little bit about me
I am Los Angeles born and raised. I found a passion for early childhood care, especially working with special needs kiddos, while studying Cognitive Science at Pitzer College. I have been working in childcare since I graduated in 2025. I am currently an aide for students preschool through early highschool who are level 2-3 autistic, and I am looking to transition to more private work. I practice a positive behavioral approach and prioritize engagement and play. I also work great with neurotypical kids of all ages.
Some extra about me: I have 4 years of experience as a writing tutor, I am saving up to pursue a masters in speech language pathology, I love movies, books, yoga, being outside, getting active (basketball, soccer, running, pilates), cooking, and art.
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Nanny Elyzet
Nanny Elyzet
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certification
Nanny Lara
Nanny Lara
A little bit about me
I have experience caring for kids of different ages. I spent almost four months taking care of my 2-year-old cousin in Miami, and I have also helped care for my younger cousins who were between 8 and 10 years old. Additionally, I was a counselor at a church kids camp, where I worked with children ages 5–7, and I volunteered at my church in Brazil helping with children ages 4–7.
I’m a responsible, patient, and caring person who enjoys spending time with kids, playing games, doing creative activities, and helping them feel comfortable and supported. I would love the opportunity to help families with occasional babysitting, date nights, and childcare needs while providing a positive and safe experience for their children.
Nanny Angelina
Nanny Angelina
A little bit about me
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Nanny Wendy
Nanny Wendy
A little bit about me
I have been a babysitter for about 3 years now, taking care of a toddler from age 2-4 years old.
I have been babysitting my friend’s little ones while they go to work or school. I love to babysit kiddos. I am a mom of 4 as well.
I have a great energy, taking care of kids makes me happy to watch them grow.
I am also a caregiver since 2017 for kids with disabilities. I work with kids that have special needs ( Autism & ADHD ), since 2017 till present.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Avyonna
Nanny Avyonna
A little bit about me
I am a very trust worthy kind sweet respectful caring loving and nurturing person . I think I would be the best person to have around you ,your kids, and especially your home . I LOVEEEE animals I love fun/new/unique things I love colors I love nature I cherish every moment in life because u never know when it can end or when you WOULDNT have that anymore I feel i am very mature and level headed for my age