Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Milford, DE in 2026?

In Milford, DE, the average babysitter earns about $16.94 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $678/week or $2,936/month. Most Milford families pay somewhere in the $15–$21/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.94/hr · Milford average

These numbers come from 73 live babysitter listings in Milford on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$678
$2,936
$35,235

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What drives the price

Most Milford families pay somewhere in the $15–$21/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)$16.94
2 kids~$17.94
3+ kids~$18.94+

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$17.93/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$17.24/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 Milford babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Milford sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Milford, DE typically costs about 1% less than the Delaware average of $17/hour and 1% more than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Milford, DE and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Milford, DE
Milford, DE$17/hr
Delaware$17/hr+1%
United States$17/hr-1%

Where Milford, DE fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.08/hour in Dover to $18.06/hour in Newark.

Below: how each compares to the Milford, DE average of $16.94/hour — Milford, DE is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Milford, DE ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Milford, DE
1Newark$18.06+7%
2Lewes$17.95+6%
3Bear$17.66+4%
4Middletown$17.42+3%
5Wilmington$17.38+3%
Milford$16.94
7Millsboro$16.89
8New Castle$16.80-1%
9Smyrna$16.15-5%
10Dover$16.08-5%
Most expensive nearby: Newark ($18.06) Least expensive nearby: Dover ($16.08)

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 Milford, DE

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 Milford, DE

    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 Milford, DE

73 active listings in Milford

Malissa W. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Malissa

Milford, DE
$18/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello there! I am currently working at a Montessori school as an assistant teacher. I enjoy helping to guide children to complete tasks by providing options whenever possible and allowing them to choose their path to complete their work.
Currently, I Part-time and volunteer frequently at my 9 year old daughters school.
I am seeking a part-time position during Milford School District breaks. Also I am willing to provide you with copies of my certification ranging from C.P.R. to continuing education.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Hannah L. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Hannah

Milford, DE
$18/hr
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Hannah! I am a recent college graduate currently working full time at a local hospital in direct patient care. My education is centered around exercise science and personal training, and I have 5 years experience working summer school at local schools with their special education programs. I am CPR/AED and ACLS certified. I would describe myself as patient, friendly, dependable, and creative!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Eyevett L. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Eyevett

Milford, DE
$18/hr
Occasional
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Licensed Childcare Teacher , 9 years experience. TEC 1 & 2 & CDA.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Tchinaika E. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Tchinaika

Milford, DE
$15/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Tchinaika Edmond and I’m a responsible and caring babysitter with a genuine love for working with kids. I’m patient, reliable, and always make sure children feel safe, happy, and engaged. I enjoy helping with homework, playing games, and keeping routines on track. I’d love the opportunity to support your family and create a fun, positive environment for your little ones!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Leanne C. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Leanne

Milford, DE
$15/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I'm Leanne. Im 44 years old. I have 5 children of my own ranging from the age of 25 all the way to 11. I love kiddos, they are our future. I love to cook. Love the outdoors and being creative with different types of fun activities.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Lia T. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Lia

Milford, DE
$15/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

An upcoming learner who loves to ventures herself and experiment with new things. Currently in a nursing program for the introduction of the medical field in hopes to help her hopeful future as a pediatrician.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Izzy G. I. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Izzy G.

Milford, DE
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Izzy. I currently work as a part-time after school aide at a local school, so I have experience working with kids aged 3+. I’m looking for part-time work during the summertime when school is out.
Mackenzie H. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Mackenzie

Milford, DE
$20/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I attend Delaware Technical Community College! I am very good with children and accommodating in any situation. I enjoy meal prep, having fun, stepping up and being a mentor and role model for kids, and so much more. I am a fun loving person, careful, empathetic, supportive, and positive.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jada B. - Seeking Work in Milford

Nanny Jada

Milford, DE
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Nurturing young minds is my passion. My four years of experience caring for children have solidified my commitment to their growth and well-being. I am patient, creative, and friendly, always striving to create a positive and engaging environment. I have taken Early Child Development Coursework, and I am certified in First Aid Training and CPR Training. I'm comfortable caring for up to two children and happy to assist with cooking, light housekeeping, carpooling, travel, and swimming supervision. Communication is key, so I provide daily reports, verbal updates at pickup, and regular texts. I follow the parents' lead when enforcing household rules. I enjoy playing outdoor sports and educational games. Knowing I can support your family while fostering your child's development brings me joy. I too had Nannie's and babysitters growing up so it is easy for me to understand the necessary commitment and consistency for a child's development.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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