Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Hays, KS in 2026?
In Hays, KS, the average babysitter earns about $14.28 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $571/week or $2,475/month. Most Hays families pay somewhere in the $10–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 45 live babysitter listings in Hays on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $571
- Monthly
- $2,475
- Annual
- $29,702
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What drives the price
Most Hays families pay somewhere in the $10–$20/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) | $14.28 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$15.28 |
| 3+ kids | ~$16.28+ |
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.
How do Hays babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Hays runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring babysitters in Hays, KS typically costs about 12% less than the Kansas average of $16/hour and 24% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Hays, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Hays, KS | $14/hr | — |
| Kansas | $16/hr | +14% |
| United States | $19/hr | +32% |
Where Hays, KS fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.42/hour in Manhattan to $19.10/hour in Shawnee Mission.
Below: how each compares to the Hays, KS average of $14.28/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Hays, KS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shawnee Mission | $19.10 | +34% | |
| 2 | Overland Park | $18.76 | +31% | |
| 3 | Lenexa | $18.19 | +27% | |
| 4 | Olathe | $17.61 | +23% | |
| 5 | Kansas City | $17.32 | +21% | |
| 6 | Shawnee | $16.70 | +17% | |
| 7 | Lawrence | $16.02 | +12% | |
| 8 | Topeka | $15.10 | +6% | |
| 9 | Wichita | $15.03 | +5% | |
| 10 | Manhattan | $14.42 | +1% |
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 Hays, KS
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 Hays, KS
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 Hays, KS
45 active listings in Hays
Nanny Paisley
Nanny Paisley
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Nanny Samantha
Nanny Samantha
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Nanny Kelly
Nanny Kelly
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Nanny Makenna
Nanny Makenna
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Nanny Kaylan
Nanny Kaylan
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Nanny Allie
Nanny Allie
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Nanny Lydia
Nanny Lydia
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Nanny Ryann
Nanny Ryann
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Nanny Aspen
Nanny Aspen
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I have experience with all ages and have a lot of experience with children with special needs and complex communication skills.
I am available in the evenings and weekends!