Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

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

In Northfield, MN, the average babysitter earns about $19.48 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $779/week or $3,377/month. Most Northfield families pay somewhere in the $14–$26/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$19.48/hr · Northfield average

These numbers come from 30 live babysitter listings in Northfield on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$779
$3,377
$40,518

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What drives the price

Most Northfield families pay somewhere in the $14–$26/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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$19.48
2 kids~$20.48
3+ kids~$21.48+

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.

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

Northfield sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Northfield, MN typically costs about 4% more than the Minnesota average of $19/hour and 1% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Northfield, MN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Northfield, MN
Northfield, MN$19/hr—
Minnesota$19/hr-4%
United States$19/hr-1%

Where Northfield, MN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.13/hour in Mankato to $20.40/hour in Maple Grove.

Below: how each compares to the Northfield, MN average of $19.48/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Northfield, MN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Northfield, MN
1Maple Grove$20.40+5%
2Minneapolis$20.40+5%
3Lakeville$19.62+1%
4Saint Paul$19.56—
5Rochester$19.54—
6Woodbury$19.30-1%
7St. Cloud$18.05-7%
8Blaine$17.98-8%
9Duluth$17.72-9%
10Mankato$17.13-12%
● Most expensive nearby: Maple Grove ($20.40)● Least expensive nearby: Mankato ($17.13)

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 Northfield, 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 Northfield, 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 Northfield, MN

30 active listings in Northfield

Addison R. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Addison

Northfield, MN
$16 - $22/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Addison and I am a college student studying social work and family studies. I work at a daycare center during the day and working with children is my passion. I love working with all ages and have professional experience with children of 3 months to 10 years. I am first aid and cpr certified. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Clara T. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Clara

Northfield, MN
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Clara Thompson. I have been babysitting for families in my community since I was 10 years old. I am currently a student at St. Olaf College. I am a chemistry major and a pre-med student. I am a former lifeguard and have BLS and lifeguard training. I also have my nursing assistant license. For fun, I ski jump and ride horses. I also do volunteer work through Special Olympics. 

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kat N. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Kat

Northfield, MN
$16 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

I absolutely love working with kids and hope on continuing working in childcare for the rest of my life! I want kids to know they have someone in their corner, and I want to help kids find good ways to regulate their emotions. I have experience with kids 6 weeks and older and I am cpr and first aid certified!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Khara H. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Khara

Northfield, MN
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

I am a mother who raised 2 children and a grandma to a 1.5 year old. Worked as a nurse for the last 15 years so CPR and first aid certified. Worked a lot with children in my nursing career as well as a para at an elementary school for 6 months.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Nora C. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Nora

Northfield, MN
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
7 years experience

A little bit about me

I’ve been surrounded by children my entire life! Between being a "second mom" to my three brothers and eight cousins and babysitting for families throughout my hometown, I’ve truly seen it all. I’m an energetic and positive person who genuinely loves being around kids—whether we’re playing games, heading to dance practice, or tackling homework. I’m also very organized and happy to help keep the house running smoothly by assisting with meals, laundry, and tidying up. I’m looking forward to bringing that same love and care to any other families in need!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Elizabeth B. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Elizabeth

Northfield, MN
$17/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Ellie. I'm currently finishing up my first year at St. Olaf College, where I'm majoring in political science. I have four years of paid childcare experience working with a variety of ages from 0-12. I'm so excited to meet your kiddos!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Amelie B. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Amelie

Northfield, MN
$25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Maya S. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Maya

Northfield, MN
$16.50 - $20/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Maya i’m 17 and I am currently a senior at northfield high school. I’ve been working at the YMCA in both the childwatch and summer day camp for two years now. I typically work the best with ages 4-10, but i’m flexible with anything. I’m both cpr and first aid certified through the YMCA. I’m looking for a nannying job after my school day ends at 11:10, and am able to be there any 3 days during the week to leave time for my schoolwork.

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Margot N. - Seeking Work in Northfield

Nanny Margot

Northfield, MN
$18 - $25/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi!! My name is Margot! I am a rising junior at St. Olaf College. I am studying Education with concentrations in Social Studies and Race and Ethnic studies. I have a great passion for working with kids and being a support to help the succeed and thrive. I love yoga, going on walks, playing tennis, doing crafts, and I am always open to trying new things!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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