Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Laurel, MD in 2026?
In Laurel, MD, the average babysitter earns about $18.08 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $723/week or $3,134/month. Most Laurel families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 326 live babysitter listings in Laurel on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $723
- Monthly
- $3,134
- Annual
- $37,606
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What drives the price
Most Laurel families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/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) | $18.08 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$19.08 |
| 3+ kids | ~$20.08+ |
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 | $19.08/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $18.42/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $18.11/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.43/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.
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.
How do Laurel babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Laurel runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring babysitters in Laurel, MD typically costs about 1% less than the Maryland average of $18/hour and 8% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel, MD | $18/hr | — |
| Maryland | $18/hr | +1% |
| United States | $17/hr | -7% |
Where Laurel, MD fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.80/hour in Hagerstown to $20.28/hour in Rockville.
Below: how each compares to the Laurel, MD average of $18.08/hour — Laurel, MD is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Laurel, MD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockville | $20.28 | +12% | |
| 2 | Silver Spring | $19.31 | +7% | |
| 3 | Columbia | $18.77 | +4% | |
| 4 | Germantown | $18.65 | +3% | |
| 5 | Bowie | $18.49 | +2% | |
| 6 | Laurel | $18.08 | — | |
| 7 | Frederick | $18.06 | — | |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $18.04 | — | |
| 9 | Baltimore | $17.91 | -1% | |
| 10 | Hagerstown | $16.80 | -7% |
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 Laurel, MD
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 Laurel, MD
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 Laurel, MD
326 active listings in Laurel
Nanny Maddie
Nanny Maddie
A little bit about me
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Nanny Amanda
Nanny Amanda
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Nanny Bonde
Nanny Bonde
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Nanny Chanel
Nanny Chanel
A little bit about me
I'm CPR certified and can help with light cleaning.pet care and meals if needed.
I know how important it is to have someone you trust watching your kids, and I always do my best to make sure both parents and children feel comfortable.
Have experience working with
Certification
Nanny Soleya
Nanny Soleya
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Have experience working with
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Recent reference
Nanny Kollina
Nanny Kollina
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Nanny Peace-love
Nanny Peace-love
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
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Nanny Alyssa
Nanny Alyssa
A little bit about me
Ever since I was a young girl I was so into baby dolls which can probably explain my love for children & every chance I get i always try to get a glimpse of the babies little faces in their little stroller as they are strolling by in public lol. I adore them a lot and if I could have one of my own I would but of course I’m going to wait in the future.