Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

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

In Tustin, CA, the average babysitter earns about $22.30 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $892/week or $3,865/month. Most Tustin 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$22.30/hr · Tustin average

These numbers come from 71 live babysitter listings in Tustin on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$892
$3,865
$46,384

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What drives the price

Most Tustin 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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$22.30
2 kids~$23.30
3+ kids~$24.30+

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
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$23.85/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$22.56/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.

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

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

Hiring babysitters in Tustin, CA typically costs about the same as the California average of $22/hour and 19% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Tustin, CA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Tustin, CA
Tustin, CA$22/hr
California$22/hr+0%
United States$19/hr-16%

Where Tustin, 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 Tustin, CA average of $22.30/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Tustin, CA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Tustin, CA
1San Francisco$27.70+24%
2San Jose$25.01+12%
3Los Angeles$24.36+9%
4San Diego$23.18+4%
5Long Beach$22.05-1%
6Sacramento$20.76-7%
7Riverside$19.73-12%
8Stockton$19.55-12%
9Bakersfield$18.96-15%
10Fresno$18.83-16%
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 Tustin, 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 Tustin, 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 Tustin, CA

71 active listings in Tustin

Donna R. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Donna

Tustin, CA
$20 - $30/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello my name is Donna
Born and raised in southern California and Semi retired mother of 2, grandmother of 4 boys which consists of twins. I enjoy children of all ages. I love animals also. I'm a good cook , I sew, and am clean and organized.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Shivali S. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Shivali

Tustin, CA
Active Now
$40 - $60/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I like to spend my free time watching movies at home with my husband and my dog :)

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Riley H. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Riley

Tustin, CA
$22/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I love babysitting because I enjoy helping families out. Growing up, my parents worked early and late hours, so we always had a babysitter, and I loved her. And I would love to help other families and kids have the same great experience I did. I have experience with kids of all ages. I've been volunteering at a shelter to watch after people's kids while they go to work or to find work. I am CPR and first aid certified, and I'm a very patient, caring person. I have experience with newborns, babies, toddlers, and preteens. If you have any specific questions or concerns, I am more than happy to answer!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Melanie C. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Melanie

Tustin, CA
$21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Melanie. I have over a year of experience working in an after-school program with both TK and elementary-aged children. I’m patient, responsible, and love building strong, positive connections with children and families. I’d love the opportunity to bring my experience and energy to your home!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Taylor R. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Taylor

Tustin, CA
$20/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Taylor and I’m 19! I am home for the summer and just finished my freshman year at CU Boulder. I graduated from Mater Dei High School and I love to spend time with kids! I also enjoy cooking and am able to do housekeeping when needed!
Stephanie V. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Stephanie

Tustin, CA
$25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a Certified Nurse Assistant with a
lifelong background in childcare. As the
eldest of five siblings and an elementary
school volunteer, I’ve spent years learning
how to handle the chaos of a busy home
with patience and safety. I combine my
medical training with Advanced Child
Development coursework to provide
reliable, high-quality care. Currently
pursuing a career in nursing, I am dedicated
to keeping your little ones safe, happy, and
thriving.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Yamile L. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Yamile

Tustin, CA
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi there! My name is Yamile. I’m an experienced, fun, and caring babysitter who loves reading, painting, and spending time with my dog. I will provide a safe, engaging, and playful environment for your little ones! Please don't hesitate to contact me.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Melany A. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Melany

Tustin, CA
$25/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello my name is Melanie & I am 17 years old. I am an involved student holding a 4.4 Gpa. I am entering my senior year of high-school. I watch my neighbor’s kids when they need it and I enjoy spending time with them. I am also very outgoing and friendly.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Cat F. - Seeking Work in Tustin

Nanny Cat

Tustin, CA
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello,

My name is Catherine and I’m a mom myself! :)

I’m looking to help other mothers who need a weekend part time/ drop in babysitter. I believe in working together especially during these times. Everything is so expensive and parents need to run errands or take a small break.

I look forward to helping you and your little ones!

Have experience working with

Infants
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