Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Boulder, CO in 2026?
In Boulder, CO, the average babysitter earns about $21.02 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $841/week or $3,643/month. Most Boulder families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$21.02/hr · Boulder average
These numbers come from 480 live babysitter listings in Boulder on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $841
- Monthly
- $3,643
- Annual
- $43,722
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Boulder families pay somewhere in the $15–$30/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
01
Experience
More experienced babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $19.83/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $23.80/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience
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) | $21.02 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$22.02 |
| 3+ kids | ~$23.02+ |
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 | $22.92/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $20.74/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $20.95/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $21.63/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 Boulder babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Boulder is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Boulder, CO typically costs about 9% more than the Colorado average of $19/hour and 25% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Boulder, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $21/hr | — |
| Colorado | $19/hr | -8% |
| United States | $17/hr | -20% |
Where Boulder, CO fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.94/hour in Pueblo to $21.02/hour in Boulder.
Below: how each compares to the Boulder, CO average of $21.02/hour — Boulder, CO is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Boulder, CO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $21.02 | — | |
| 2 | Denver | $20.53 | -2% | |
| 3 | Westminster | $20.27 | -4% | |
| 4 | Littleton | $20.25 | -4% | |
| 5 | Aurora | $19.13 | -9% | |
| 6 | Fort Collins | $18.43 | -12% | |
| 7 | Colorado Springs | $17.72 | -16% | |
| 8 | Greeley | $16.79 | -20% | |
| 9 | Grand Junction | $16.47 | -22% | |
| 10 | Pueblo | $15.94 | -24% |
● Most expensive nearby: Boulder ($21.02)● Least expensive nearby: Pueblo ($15.94)
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 Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO
480 active listings in Boulder
Nanny Summer
Nanny Summer
Boulder, CO
$22 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, my name is summer! I am a recent graduate from CU boulder with a BA In journalism and I am originally from Los Angeles. I am looking for part-time work as a nanny. I love reading, horseback riding, swimming, and meeting new people!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Gillie
Nanny Gillie
Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello there! My name is Gillie and I am a second year undergraduate student in CU Boulder majoring in psychology. I am looking for a nannying oppurtunity for the summer months from May until August. I have worked with kids for around 5 years now, both in babysitting and in gradeschool assistance setting. In addition, I have completed a birth doula training, which has given me a strong understanding of child development and family support. I am also CPR and First Aid certified, so safety is always a top priority for me.
I truly enjoy working with kids, creating a positive and engaging environment, and helping them learn and grow. I would love the chance to support your family!
I truly enjoy working with kids, creating a positive and engaging environment, and helping them learn and grow. I would love the chance to support your family!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Gretchen
Nanny Gretchen
Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
I have been working with kids for over 4 years paid. I am a student in college majoring in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical and Neuroscience. I LOVE kids and am looking for a job to be able to get to know a family and be a dependable member and employee for them!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Darby
Nanny Darby
Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
I'm a 22-year-old recent biology graduate from SDSU, originally from Boulder, Colorado. I've always had a deep passion for working with children and mentoring young people, which has been a constant throughout my life alongside my love of science. Outside of childcare, you'll usually find me snowboarding, scuba diving, practicing yoga, creating art, or exploring the outdoors. I also volunteer at a local cat adoption center because I absolutely love animals. Right now, I'm preparing to attend graduate school for bioengineering, where I hope to continue my research while staying involved in youth education and STEM mentorship.
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Recent reference
"Darby was so lovely to have as a babysitter for our son. She was communicative with us about her availability and would always try to make last minute requests work. Our son loved her and I always felt confident leaving my son with her. She was responsible, fun for my son, and very kind. She also watched our cat on occasion when we would go out of town and she was always reliable with this as well."
- Tessa Ritchie
Nanny Lexa
Nanny Lexa
Boulder, CO
$21/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
I worked for 3 years in early childhood education. 2 Years as a PCA for a 14yr old boy. I love kids! I am currently enrolled in college to become an Art Therapist, with a primary focus in working with children. I am CPR, AED and first aid certified. I drive a reliable car with a a completely clean driving record. I am available as soon as soon as possible! My school semester ends next next week and I will be available 7 days a week, whenever is needed. I am also comfortable working overnights as well. I would love to connect with you soon!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Bradley
Nanny Bradley
Boulder, CO
$21/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! I am a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder, double-majoring in Integrative Physiology and Public Health. I went to a Jesuit high school, and what was required of us to graduate was to do service. I have over 500 volunteer hours as a teacher's aide for kindergarten and third-grade classes, and I tutor DPS and APS students (grades 1st-8th). After my second year of college, I started working at Blast Summer Camp as a head camp counselor. From this position, I have gained my CPR, BLS, First Aid, and Medication Administration certifications. Working for Blast Camp included extensive background checks, drug screenings, and 16 hours of Colorado Shines PDIS training. Lastly, I am an uncle to 2 nieces (ages 1 and 3 months) and 1 nephew (aged 5).
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Haley
Nanny Haley
Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I'm Haley! I’m 21 and currently taking a break from school while pursuing my passion for childcare. I have experience working in a nursery, volunteering with young children, working with kids with special needs, and spent time in Spain as an au pair! I love the outdoors and anything creative, hope to be in touch soon:)
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kaitlyn
Nanny Kaitlyn
Boulder, CO
$20.60/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi, my name is Katie! I've had experience in babysitting for years, but have never received payment because it was for family members. The ages I’ve babysat for range from one through six years old. I recently received my CPR/AED certificate and if not already done so through this website, I’m willing to have a background check! At family/friend events I’m normally ‘assigned’ baby/kid duty so the ‘grown ups’ can have a break… we sometimes will play hide and seek, tag, play with their toys, etc. – whatever the kids want to do (if safe) I’m up for anything! The only downside is that I don’t have a car…so if the kids want to go to the park or do anything that involves leaving the house, these activities need to be within walking distance. My schedule is very flexible and I'm available to start at the earliest opportunity!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Serina
Nanny Serina
Boulder, CO
$22/hr
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello! I’m Serina, a graduate student currently pursuing my Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. I have babysitting experience, along with hands-on experience in a preschool setting where I’ve supported both children with special needs and children without needs. Whether it’s playful activities for younger children or homework help for older kids, I tailor my approach to meet your child’s age and developmental stage. I am passionate about creating a positive, safe, and nurturing environment for kids to grow, learn, and have fun! I prioritize safety, responsibility, and communication. You can trust me to follow your family’s routines and ensure your kids feel comfortable and happy in my care.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid