Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Buffalo, MN in 2026?

In Buffalo, MN, the average babysitter earns about $16.82 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $673/week or $2,915/month. Most Buffalo families pay somewhere in the $11–$23/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.82/hr · Buffalo average

These numbers come from 111 live babysitter listings in Buffalo on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$673
$2,915
$34,986

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What drives the price

Most Buffalo families pay somewhere in the $11–$23/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 $16.50/hour, while the most experienced (3-5 yrs) charge around $18.32/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)$16.82
2 kids~$17.82
3+ kids~$18.82+

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$18.23/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$18/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.

Browse babysitters

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

Buffalo sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Buffalo, MN typically costs about the same as the Minnesota average of $17/hour and the same as the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Buffalo, MN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Buffalo, MN
Buffalo, MN$17/hr
Minnesota$17/hr+0%
United States$17/hr0%

Where Buffalo, MN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $14.94/hour in Mankato to $18.15/hour in Minneapolis.

Below: how each compares to the Buffalo, MN average of $16.82/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Buffalo, MN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Buffalo, MN
1Minneapolis$18.15+8%
2Rochester$17.76+6%
3Woodbury$17.52+4%
4Saint Paul$17.26+3%
5Shakopee$16.75
6Blaine$16.57-1%
7Moorhead$16.32-3%
8St. Cloud$15.85-6%
9Duluth$15.68-7%
10Mankato$14.94-11%
Most expensive nearby: Minneapolis ($18.15) Least expensive nearby: Mankato ($14.94)

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 Buffalo, MN

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 Buffalo, MN

    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 Buffalo, MN

111 active listings in Buffalo

Autumn M. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Autumn

Buffalo, MN
$16/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Autumn, I am from Buffalo, and I am currently a senior in high school and will be graduating at the end of May. I love working with kids and being able to create genuine connections with them and have a good time. I like working with kids and plan to work with kids in my future career so it will be good experience as well. I am looking for some babysitting hours this summer before I go to college in the fall. Last summer I worked as a nanny for 3 kids aged 9, 12, and 15. I have also worked as a summer stretch church leader for middle schoolers the past three years, interacted with kids in a second grade classroom setting, watched my toddler cousin on multiple occasions, and sporadically babysit my neighbors kids. I am also a dog lover, so I am comfortable around dogs and it's always a perk to get to hang out with pets as well! I have my own car and I am comfortable transporting and getting us to wherever we need to be!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Rian R. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Rian

Buffalo, MN
$17/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a NYS certified teacher with a bachelors in early childhood education and a soon to be masters in curriculum instruction. I am great at teaching, working on social-emotional learning and ensuring all kids have fun!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Lyka C. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Lyka

Buffalo, MN
$12 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I’m Lyka! I am very good with kids, i grew up with kids around me so I’m used to taking care of them. I am very responsible and hands on with children, i can also do some light cleaning and prep some meal. I am very organize and easy to get along with!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Ellie C. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Ellie

Buffalo, MN
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello, my name is Ellie Cassady. I am currently a freshman in college majoring in Biology Secondary Education with a minor in Music. I am seeking a full or part-time summer position and am comfortable working with children of all ages. I have experience working at a daycare with children ranging from 3 weeks to 5 years old, as well as a background in babysitting. I also have experience working with children with special needs through my church. In addition, I am CPR, BLS, and First Aid certified, and am a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) as well.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Maisie V. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Maisie

Buffalo, MN
$19/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
5 years experience

A little bit about me

I have 6 younger siblings, and lots of experience in childcare/nannying! I coach figure skating, lots of my students are younger children. I’m a leader in my youth group, the group I lead is 7th grade girls.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid

Recent reference

"She was incredibly reliable and responsible. I trusted her as the first caregiver of my baby girl and felt comfortable with her care immediately. We always knew our daughter was safe and we appreciated her knowledge and heart."
- Vannessa
Sarah W. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Sarah

Buffalo, MN
$15/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Have a 4 year old daughter. Love to be cool , be outside , sports , hanging out with my daughter, parks , beach’s basically anything outside. Not a drinker or a smoker . I worked at a childcare center for 2 1/2 years kids anywhere from six weeks to three years old.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Rebecca S. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Rebecca

Buffalo, MN
$17.96/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I enjoy engaging children in arts, crafts, music, dance, and reading.

Have experience working with

Infants
Alexis L. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Alexis

Buffalo, MN
$18 - $20/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Lexi! I’m 20 years old and have 5 years of babysitting experience caring for children of different ages. I’m caring, dependable, and enjoy creating a fun and safe environment for kids. I love being outdoors, staying active, and spending time with family. I’m passionate about helping children learn, grow, and feel comfortable while giving parents peace of mind knowing their kids are in good hands.

Have experience working with

Infants
Erica B. - Seeking Work in Buffalo

Nanny Erica

Buffalo, MN
$17/hr
Full-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi my names is Erica I am 19 years old from sartell Minnesota and also stay in buffalo MN. I am looking for a full time summer position. I consider myself very bubbly and energetic. I like to try new things and I absolutely adore working with kids, I am a student, major in nursing and hopefully specialize in NICU! I have about 4 years of past experience working with children and children with autism off and on. I can help with Crafts, errands, cooking, cleaning, and anything else that you may need extra help with.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
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