Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Bloomington, IL in 2026?

In Bloomington, IL, the average babysitter earns about $16.28 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $651/week or $2,822/month. Most Bloomington families pay somewhere in the $15–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.28/hr · Bloomington average

These numbers come from 311 live babysitter listings in Bloomington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$651
$2,822
$33,862

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What drives the price

Most Bloomington families pay somewhere in the $15–$20/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 $16.19/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $17.51/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)$16.28
2 kids~$17.28
3+ kids~$18.28+

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$16.77/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$16.38/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$16.31/hr
Live-inSet by family$16.51/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 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.

Browse babysitters

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

Bloomington sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Bloomington, IL typically costs about 8% less than the Illinois average of $18/hour and 3% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Bloomington, IL and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Bloomington, IL
Bloomington, IL$16/hr
Illinois$18/hr+9%
United States$17/hr+3%

Where Bloomington, IL fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.28/hour in Champaign to $18.87/hour in Chicago.

Below: how each compares to the Bloomington, IL average of $16.28/hour — Bloomington, IL is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Bloomington, IL ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Bloomington, IL
1Chicago$18.87+16%
2Naperville$18.40+13%
3Aurora$17.67+9%
4Plainfield$17.63+8%
5Elgin$17.24+6%
6Rockford$16.68+2%
7Springfield$16.57+2%
Bloomington$16.28
9Peoria$16.28
10Champaign$16.28
Most expensive nearby: Chicago ($18.87) Least expensive nearby: Champaign ($16.28)

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 Bloomington, IL

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 Bloomington, IL

    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 Bloomington, IL

311 active listings in Bloomington

Andrea G. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Andrea

Bloomington, IL
$16/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

I'm a dedicated and patient college student majoring in Special Education at Illinois State University, with a genuine passion for supporting children’s growth and development. My background includes professional experience as a childcare provider in an afterschool setting for grades K-12, as well as work in customer service, which has helped me develop strong communication and multitasking skills. I take pride in being a reliable, bilingual caregiver who creates a safe and engaging environment for kids of all ages. In my free time, I love playing with my cat and crocheting!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jayden H. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Jayden

Bloomington, IL
$16/hr
Full-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello I’m looking for a simple, easy light going job. I’m 18. The most experience I’d say I have is raising my little brother. I love kids, helping them learn and grow is such a beautiful thing.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Maya D. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Maya

Bloomington, IL
$16/hr
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I am Maya! I’m an 18 year old and about to enter my freshman year at Illinois Wesleyan University this fall to study Nursing! I have babysat kids in my neighborhood and beyond throughout high school and want to continue doing that in college! I absolutely love kids and want to work with them as a nurse someday! I love that when I spend time with kids, my child-like heart is warmed and I feel like I am truly able to be myself!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Lyrica G. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Lyrica

Bloomington, IL
$17/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m a 16 year old girl who loves kids. I coach 5th and 6th grade volleyball and I baby sit my family and friends children. I taught swim lessons and private lessons to children under the age of 8

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Lucy G. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Lucy

Bloomington, IL
$15.50/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi families! My name is Lucy and I’m 22, turning 23 in April. I am currently looking for some evening and weekend babysitting jobs. I currently work at a daycare center as a Lead infant 2 teacher, but have experience with kids of all ages. I grew up with little brothers who are now in their late teens and have sat for my nieces and nephews who are now 2,4 & 13. I recently received my CDA in infants and toddlers and I am CPR/First aid certified. I can provide a couple of references if needed! My availability is 4 pm Monday-Friday and anytime weekends except for the 4th Sunday of the month as I volunteer with my church nursery(available afterwards at 1pm). Please message with any questions and I look forward to getting in touch with you!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Savanna P. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Savanna

Bloomington, IL
$15/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Savanna, and I'm looking for babysitting opportunities this summer. Even though I don't have professional babysitting experience, I've always enjoyed being around kids and helping out with younger family members and family friends whenever I can.

I'm patient, responsible, and easy to get along with. I like doing fun activities like crafts, games, movies, reading, or playing outside, and I'm always happy to help with homework or simple meals if needed. I'm also dependable and take safety seriously, so parents can feel comfortable knowing their children are in good hands.

I'm excited to gain more experience while helping families who need an extra hand this summer. I would love the opportunity to get to know your family and provide a fun, caring, and safe environment for your kids!
Izzy D. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Izzy

Bloomington, IL
$15/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I’m 16 years old I will be 17 on July 16 I’m very sweet with kids and I love helping people out with their kids I love helping children out and taking care of them I am a okay cooking person I am very kind I am very respectful and caring I am really good at taking care of children I do have a heart disorder called pots but it will go away on it’s own at 19 or 20 years old.
Gabby C. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Gabby

Bloomington, IL
$15/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I am Gabby Casali. I am a high school senior. I will be attending SIUE in the fall to major in social work. I have been babysitting since I’ve 13 and have a lot of experience!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Cole H. - Seeking Work in Bloomington

Nanny Cole

Bloomington, IL
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Cole am I am a Cna and I am going to start nursing school soon and have experience watching my siblings

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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