Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Monterey, CA in 2026?
In Monterey, CA, the average babysitter earns about $21.58 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $863/week or $3,741/month. Most Monterey families pay somewhere in the $17–$33/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 151 live babysitter listings in Monterey on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $863
- Monthly
- $3,741
- Annual
- $44,886
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What drives the price
Most Monterey families pay somewhere in the $17–$33/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) | $21.58 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$22.58 |
| 3+ kids | ~$23.58+ |
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 | $24.03/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $20.98/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $22.30/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 Monterey babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Monterey is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Monterey, CA typically costs about 6% more than the California average of $20/hour and 28% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Monterey, CA | $22/hr | — |
| California | $20/hr | -6% |
| United States | $17/hr | -22% |
Where Monterey, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.69/hour in Fresno to $25.33/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Monterey, CA average of $21.58/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Monterey, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $25.33 | +17% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $22.97 | +6% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $22.27 | +3% | |
| 4 | San Diego | $21.01 | -3% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $20.58 | -5% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $19.15 | -11% | |
| 7 | Stockton | $18.58 | -14% | |
| 8 | Riverside | $18.42 | -15% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $17.84 | -17% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $17.69 | -18% |
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 Monterey, 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 Monterey, 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 Monterey, CA
151 active listings in Monterey
Nanny Arianna
Nanny Arianna
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Nanny Laura
Nanny Laura
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Nanny Irina
Nanny Irina
A little bit about me
I have two years [phone number hidden]) of experience as an au pair and have six years of experience with children age 0-8 years old. I lived with a host family with young children for 5 years and cared for a month old girl and a 1 year old boy until they turned 5 and 6 respectively, so I helped raise them and care for them. Being deeply involved in their lives taught me about parenting without being a parent. I’d like to offer my patience, caring self to help. I mostly do date nights, but I am open to other hours whenever I can make it work with my school schedule.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Vedder
Nanny Vedder
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Nanny Audrey
Nanny Audrey
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Nanny Joan
Nanny Joan
A little bit about me
I have been a caretaker for siblings and my friends kids. I can cook and do other tasks.
I am happy to work with families with any animals.
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Certifications
Nanny Angelica
Nanny Angelica
A little bit about me
I have worked in education for 10+ years. I can cook, clean, tutor, help with homework.
I am available to work afternoons/evenings and weekends.
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Angelica
Nanny Angelica
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications