Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Wilmington, DE in 2026?
In Wilmington, DE, the average babysitter earns about $17.38 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $695/week or $3,013/month. Most Wilmington families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 452 live babysitter listings in Wilmington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $695
- Monthly
- $3,013
- Annual
- $36,150
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What drives the price
Most Wilmington families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/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) | $17.38 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.38 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.38+ |
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 | $18.54/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $17.23/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $17.64/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $17.56/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.
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 Wilmington babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Wilmington sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in Wilmington, DE typically costs about 1% more than the Delaware average of $17/hour and 3% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Wilmington, DE |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, DE | $17/hr | — |
| Delaware | $17/hr | -1% |
| United States | $17/hr | -3% |
Where Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, DE average of $17.38/hour — Wilmington, DE is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Wilmington, DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark | $18.06 | +4% | |
| 2 | Lewes | $17.95 | +3% | |
| 3 | Bear | $17.66 | +2% | |
| 4 | Middletown | $17.42 | — | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $17.38 | — | |
| 6 | Milford | $16.94 | -3% | |
| 7 | Millsboro | $16.89 | -3% | |
| 8 | New Castle | $16.80 | -3% | |
| 9 | Smyrna | $16.15 | -7% | |
| 10 | Dover | $16.08 | -7% |
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 Wilmington, 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:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Wilmington, DE
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 Wilmington, DE
452 active listings in Wilmington
Nanny Alexis
Nanny Alexis
A little bit about me
Nanny Denita
Nanny Denita
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Hannah
Nanny Hannah
A little bit about me
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Nanny Ayanna
Nanny Ayanna
A little bit about me
Although I don’t have formal paid experience as a nanny yet, I have a lot of hands-on experience caring for children of different ages from helping with daily routines to organizing fun and educational activities. I truly enjoy spending time with kids and helping them learn and grow in a safe, positive environment.
I worked at Chick-fil-A, where I learned the importance of excellent customer service, patience, teamwork, and maintaining a positive attitude under pressure. Those experiences taught me how to stay organized, calm, and kind qualities I bring to any childcare role. I love helping families and making life easier for parents, whether that means keeping the kids entertained helping with homework, making sure everyone’s day runs smoothly. I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of a family that values care, trust, and positivity
Have experience working with
Nanny Samia
Nanny Samia
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Have experience working with
Nanny Jayla
Nanny Jayla
A little bit about me
Certifications
Nanny Shanya
Nanny Shanya
A little bit about me
I am a responsible and reliable babysitter who takes my job seriously. Whether it’s helping with homework, preparing meals, playing games, or bedtime routines, I ensure that kids are well cared for while having a great time. Parents can count on me to be punctual, attentive, and respectful of household rules.
I would love the opportunity to help care for your little ones! Please feel free to reach out with any questions.