Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Pendleton, IN in 2026?

In Pendleton, IN, the average babysitter earns about $14.60 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $584/week or $2,531/month. Most Pendleton families pay somewhere in the $9–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$14.60/hr · Pendleton average

These numbers come from 48 live babysitter listings in Pendleton on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$584
$2,531
$30,368

Find babysitters near you

What drives the price

Most Pendleton families pay somewhere in the $9–$22/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)$14.60
2 kids~$15.60
3+ kids~$16.60+

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.

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

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

Hiring babysitters in Pendleton, IN typically costs about 3% more than the Indiana average of $14/hour and 13% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Pendleton, IN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Pendleton, IN
Pendleton, IN$15/hr
Indiana$14/hr-3%
United States$17/hr+15%

Where Pendleton, IN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.36/hour in Muncie to $17.32/hour in Carmel.

Below: how each compares to the Pendleton, IN average of $14.60/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Pendleton, IN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Pendleton, IN
1Carmel$17.32+19%
2Fishers$16.07+10%
3Indianapolis$15.45+6%
4South Bend$15.07+3%
5Bloomington$14.44-1%
6Fort Wayne$14.24-2%
7Elkhart$14.21-3%
8Evansville$13.58-7%
9Terre Haute$12.39-15%
10Muncie$12.36-15%
Most expensive nearby: Carmel ($17.32) Least expensive nearby: Muncie ($12.36)

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 Pendleton, IN

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 Pendleton, IN

    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 Pendleton, IN

48 active listings in Pendleton

Ava W. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Ava

Pendleton, IN
$20 - $40/hr
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Christian Nanny, working towards my Elementary Education degree at Ball State University

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Layla K. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Layla

Pendleton, IN
$16/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!! My name is Layla! I am 20 years old and I work at the high school with the special education children, so I am looking for a summer gig!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Marleigh T. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Marleigh

Pendleton, IN
$12/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Marleigh! I love kids any age from babies, toddlers, and older. Im good with animals if there is any. I’m 16 years old. I marked I have no experience because I have not had a job yet but I am always watching my baby and toddler nieces and nephews. It would mean a lot to me if someone would consider me as their babysitter for their family. I promise to do whatever and take care of your little no matter what that means!!
Kelly L. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Kelly

Pendleton, IN
$18/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

Have experience working with

Infants
Cassie R. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Cassie

Pendleton, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Cassie I’ve been working in childcare for 2 years, age groups from 2-5. I am 18 and a college student, I am studying occupational therapy at ivy tech. I’d love to meet you and discuss further! (I am safe sleep certified, and used to be cpr certified) I’m willing to get certified again though!
Makenna H. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Makenna

Pendleton, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi Im Makenna! Im going into my senior year of highschool!! I have been teaching swim lessons for over a year now from ages 6 months to 10 years old! Im CPR and AED certified! My kids have taught me how to care for them and build trusting relationships. My career path is still undecided but I would love to do something with children! I’m trying to get as much experience as I can! I absolutely adore my kids at work and love spending time with them!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Jenna R. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Jenna

Pendleton, IN
$15/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I'm a college student enrolled in a healthcare program that has been babysitting family members since I was young! I have experience with children with special needs such as autism and ADHD, alongside OCD. I primarily have experience with ages from infancy to 10 years old of age; though, I have occasionally watched pre-teens. I love to write and draw, alongside do crafting; DnD and listening to music are my favourite, too. I am able to do housework, tend to plants and animals, alongside meal prep.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Maddie L. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Maddie

Pendleton, IN
$15.25/hr
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Maddie, I am going into my third year at Ball State studying elementary education. I have a lot of experience with kids through school, volunteering, and working at a summer camp! Right now I am looking to nanny for July 2023 with the possibility of continuing when I go back to school in august!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Elena T. - Seeking Work in Pendleton

Nanny Elena

Pendleton, IN
$15/hr
Part-time
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi my name is Elena! I am going to be a senior at Indiana Wesleyan University and I love kids I am a Psych. major and plan on working with kids in the future.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Find Nannies Near Me

Related costs in Pendleton IN

Popular services in Pendleton, IN

Start your journey towards finding your perfect babysitter

Get Started