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How much does a babysitter cost in Burlington, IA in 2026?

In Burlington, IA, the average babysitter earns about $13.17 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $527/week or $2,283/month. Most Burlington families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$13.17/hr · Burlington average

These numbers come from 111 live babysitter listings in Burlington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$527
$2,283
$27,394

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What drives the price

Most Burlington families pay somewhere in the $7–$20/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

Experience doesn't make a noticeable difference to babysitter rates in Burlington, IA. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $13.65/hour, and the most experienced (3-5 yrs) come in at a similar $14.11/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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$13.17
2 kids~$14.17
3+ kids~$15.17+

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$14.02/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$13.76/hr
Live-inSet by family$14.84/hr

Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.

Live-in rates here run higher than live-out — uncommon, but typically reflects specialty demand for around-the-clock or live-in newborn care. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.

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

Burlington runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring babysitters in Burlington, IA typically costs about 8% less than the Iowa average of $14/hour and 22% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Burlington, IA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Burlington, IA
Burlington, IA$13/hr
Iowa$14/hr+8%
United States$17/hr+28%

Where Burlington, IA fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.91/hour in Dubuque to $15.47/hour in Council Bluffs.

Below: how each compares to the Burlington, IA average of $13.17/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Burlington, IA ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Burlington, IA
1Council Bluffs$15.47+17%
2Ankeny$15.25+16%
3Des Moines$15.21+15%
4Sioux City$14.85+13%
5Davenport$14.63+11%
6Iowa City$14.50+10%
7Ames$14.28+8%
8Cedar Rapids$14.22+8%
9Cedar Falls$13.55+3%
10Dubuque$12.91-2%
Most expensive nearby: Council Bluffs ($15.47) Least expensive nearby: Dubuque ($12.91)

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 Burlington, IA

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 Burlington, IA

    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 Burlington, IA

111 active listings in Burlington

Grace C. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Grace

Burlington, IA
$14/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a single mother myself. Just looking for a new and better job and to start a 24 hr daycare one day.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Zaniya K. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Zaniya

Burlington, IA
$11.50/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I’m zaniya I previously worked at a daycare and just love working with kids and decided I wanted to be a nanny I like to be outside a lot go swimming and go on walks or bike rides!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certification

CPR
Melissa G. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Melissa

Burlington, IA
$12 - $18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I'm a mother of 3. I love to cook. I am very detail oriented. I am willing to teach, play, put to bed, feed, and anything in between.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Kadaria L. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Kadaria

Burlington, IA
$14/hr
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kadaria, I’m 17 years old. I’m a senior in higher school, I got to Burlington High school. I only take 1 class and i have a lot of free time. I’m lookin to do something on the side to make a little money.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Areyanah B. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Areyanah

Burlington, IA
$14/hr
Full-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Areyanah. I’m 19 years old, and caring for children is truly something I love. I’m patient, responsible, and energetic, and I enjoy creating a positive, safe, and fun environment for kids of all ages. Whether it’s helping with homework, doing crafts, playing games, or simply being a comforting and reliable presence, I always aim to make each child feel supported and understood.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Jaxon P. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Jaxon

Burlington, IA
$13/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Jaxon, and I am 16 years old. In my free time I enjoy playing the piano and the violin. I also value my physical health and go to the gym frequently. I am CPR certified, and enjoy healthcare related studies. I would consider myself good with kids because I have a 3 year old sister, a 4 year old cousin, and a 12 year old brother.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kya W. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Kya

Burlington, IA
$13/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello, my name is Kariah but I go by Kya!. I’ve been babysitting since I was 13 and I’m in 10th grade. I’m great with kids and really respectful.
Kamryn A. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Kamryn

Burlington, IA
$15/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a high school girl , youngest out of 4 siblings, and a twin sister. My name is Kamryn, I love to do activities engaging minds and educating the children I happen to be working with. I consider myself to be a happy energetic person with a creative spirit. I like to read, paint and cook.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Giovanna O. - Seeking Work in Burlington

Nanny Giovanna

Burlington, IA
$15/hr
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Giovanna, many call me G! I love kids, and being a role model for them. I am a sports girly so I will be able to help them succeed in learning sports or anything else! Baby’s are also my specialty they are so adorable. In my opinion I can cook. I’m great at school work that your child may need help with! Overall babysitting is a good fit for me!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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