Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Arlington, MA in 2026?
In Arlington, MA, the average babysitter earns about $23.76 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $950/week or $4,118/month. Most Arlington families pay somewhere in the $15–$35/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 87 live babysitter listings in Arlington on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $950
- Monthly
- $4,118
- Annual
- $49,421
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What drives the price
Most Arlington families pay somewhere in the $15–$35/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) | $23.76 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$24.76 |
| 3+ kids | ~$25.76+ |
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 | $25.20/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $23.76/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.
How do Arlington babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Arlington is one of the more expensive babysitter markets in the country.
Hiring babysitters in Arlington, MA typically costs about 14% more than the Massachusetts average of $21/hour and 41% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Arlington, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington, MA | $24/hr | — |
| Massachusetts | $21/hr | -12% |
| United States | $17/hr | -29% |
Where Arlington, MA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.53/hour in Fall River to $22.82/hour in Boston.
Below: how each compares to the Arlington, MA average of $23.76/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Arlington, MA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $22.82 | -4% | |
| 2 | Nantucket | $22.28 | -6% | |
| 3 | Framingham | $22.16 | -7% | |
| 4 | Revere | $21.78 | -8% | |
| 5 | Worcester | $19.57 | -18% | |
| 6 | Lowell | $19.16 | -19% | |
| 7 | Brockton | $18.48 | -22% | |
| 8 | New Bedford | $17.83 | -25% | |
| 9 | Springfield | $17.58 | -26% | |
| 10 | Fall River | $17.53 | -26% |
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 Arlington, MA
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 Arlington, MA
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 Arlington, MA
87 active listings in Arlington
Nanny Sofia
Nanny Sofia
A little bit about me
Nanny Camille
Nanny Camille
Nanny Isabella
Nanny Isabella
A little bit about me
I am first aid certified, responsible, and enthusiastic. As a softball player and ceramicist, I love incorporating both active play and creative activities into my babysitting. Additionally, I’m comfortable with pets, cooking, household chores, and would love to help out with any homework or projects. With my own car and driver’s license, I can also provide safe and reliable transportation as needed.
Certifications
Nanny Sarah
Nanny Sarah
A little bit about me
- I have 2 years of experience working with special education children ages 8-13 at a summer school in Leominster, MA. With my experience there, I gained a lot of knowledge around calming children down and learning to help them regulate their emotions.
- I have two younger stepsisters at home, ages 7 and 9, and I often take care of them when needed.
Have experience working with
Nanny Sophie
Nanny Sophie
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Sowmya
Nanny Sowmya
A little bit about me
I'm sowmya , and I'm looking for babysitting and nanny jobs in Jersey City. I’m all about trust, reliability, and making sure things run smoothly. I take pride in being someone you can count on, and I always aim to create a safe and caring environment for your little ones. I’m super organized and always try my best to be a positive and supportive presence. Text me only if you trust me to care for your little ones! Thanks!
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Nahomi
Nanny Nahomi
Have experience working with
Nanny Ita
Nanny Ita
A little bit about me
I like to encourage children through play, learning activities, and social interaction, helping them build confidence, independence, and good values. Taking care of children is not just a job for me, it is something I do with love and dedication.
