Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Forest Lake, MN in 2026?
In Forest Lake, MN, the average babysitter earns about $16.77 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $671/week or $2,907/month. Most Forest Lake families pay somewhere in the $11–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$16.77/hr · Forest Lake average
These numbers come from 48 live babysitter listings in Forest Lake on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $671
- Monthly
- $2,907
- Annual
- $34,882
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most Forest Lake families pay somewhere in the $11–$25/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $16.77 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$17.77 |
| 3+ kids | ~$18.77+ |
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
| 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 Forest Lake babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Forest Lake sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in Forest Lake, MN typically costs about 1% less than the Minnesota average of $17/hour and the same as the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Lake, MN | $17/hr | — |
| Minnesota | $17/hr | +1% |
| United States | $17/hr | +0% |
Where Forest Lake, MN fits among nearby cities
9 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.50/hour in Duluth to $17.64/hour in Minneapolis.
Below: how each compares to the Forest Lake, MN average of $16.77/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Forest Lake, MN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $17.64 | +5% | |
| 2 | Plymouth | $17.63 | +5% | |
| 3 | Maple Grove | $17.35 | +3% | |
| 4 | Woodbury | $17.34 | +3% | |
| 5 | Eden Prairie | $17.01 | +1% | |
| 6 | Rochester | $16.77 | — | |
| 7 | Saint Paul | $16.52 | -1% | |
| 8 | Blaine | $15.62 | -7% | |
| 9 | Duluth | $15.50 | -8% |
● Most expensive nearby: Minneapolis ($17.64)● Least expensive nearby: Duluth ($15.50)
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.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Forest Lake, 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:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Forest Lake, MN
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 Forest Lake, MN
48 active listings in Forest Lake
Nanny Savanna
Nanny Savanna
Forest Lake, MN
$16/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I am a responsible and caring person with a genuine love for children. I have experience babysitting kids aged 1-13, where I've engaged them in fun activities like games, crafts, and outdoor play. While I'm not yet CPR/First Aid certified, I have experience and am eager to learn more and prioritize creating a safe, fun, and engaging environment for your children. I'm also happy to help with homework and prepare simple meals. A little about me is that I am 17 years old and go to Forest Lake High School. I am a captain for our girls basketball team and am apart of SADD and Link Leader at our high school. I also play AAU basketball during the summer. AAU goes until the end of July which means I am only free some weekends, Monday and wednesday all day, and Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-4pm.
Nanny Brooklynn
Nanny Brooklynn
Forest Lake, MN
$18/hr
Occasional
2 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is brooklynn i’m 11 years old but i look way older than i am i love kids so so so much there the sweetest thing and in case you and your boyfriend want to go on a date night i would be willing to help i could tell you my hours and i will friend rides there and back! my favorite colors yellow, i have 2 puppy’s and 4 siblings ones a baby! and i love outside and my family
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Ella
Nanny Ella
Forest Lake, MN
$15/hr
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
I'm a responsible and caring and I have a passion for working with children. I have experience babysitting for families in my community, where I've developed strong skills in creating fun and engaging activities that are both educational and entertaining. I'm capable of handling various tasks, including meal preparation, organizing playtime, and ensuring a safe environment for kids. I understand the importance of communication with both children and parents, and I always strive to provide a nurturing atmosphere.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Brooke
Nanny Brooke
Forest Lake, MN
$19.50/hr
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m Brooke, and I’ve been working with children for 6–7 years in roles ranging from babysitting to serving as a church leader and counselor for young children, including those with autism. I’ve cared for kids from as young as 4 months up to 9 years old.
I love getting to know each child individually and creating a fun, safe, and supportive environment where they feel comfortable being themselves. Working with children is something I’m genuinely passionate about, and I take pride in being reliable, patient, and attentive.
I love getting to know each child individually and creating a fun, safe, and supportive environment where they feel comfortable being themselves. Working with children is something I’m genuinely passionate about, and I take pride in being reliable, patient, and attentive.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certification
CPR
Nanny Cristina
Nanny Cristina
Forest Lake, MN
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Nevaeha
Nanny Nevaeha
Forest Lake, MN
$16.50/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is nevaeha I've watched over my siblings for years while my parents weren't here ive also babysat a lot of friends kids, cousins, nieces, so I feel like this job would be amazing i can promise im very good with kids I love taking care of them im in serious needs of a job my mom is willing to drive me and pick me up shes the reason why im trying this job out
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Jessica
Nanny Jessica
Forest Lake, MN
$16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Jessie. I have babysit for my nieces and nephews all the time. I love to be around little kids and will do a bunch of activities with them. I do work part time but can work around that. I worked at pinehaven Farm in the fall so I have plenty of experience.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Mya
Nanny Mya
Forest Lake, MN
$17/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I am an aspiring nurse at Lake Superior College, I love hanging out with kids! Throughout middle and high school I helped out at a daycare that my best friends mom runs and had so much fun doing so!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Ava
Nanny Ava
Forest Lake, MN
$16/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi my name is Ava!! I am looking for a part time babysitting job or just random days/nights when you need a sitter. I have a 4 year old younger sister and a 2 year old brother so I’ve had plenty of experience with young kids before. I love going outside and being active. I’ll basically just get the kiddos up and moving around as much as I can unless of course it’s bed time. Please reach out to me if you have further questions!!