Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

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

In Rochester, MN, the average babysitter earns about $18.99 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $760/week or $3,292/month. Most Rochester families pay somewhere in the $11–$26/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$18.99/hr · Rochester average

These numbers come from 187 live babysitter listings in Rochester on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$760
$3,292
$39,499

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What drives the price

Most Rochester families pay somewhere in the $11–$26/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 $18.59/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $20.90/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)$18.99
2 kids~$19.99
3+ kids~$20.99+

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$19.81/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$19.69/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$19.58/hr
Live-inSet by family$18.84/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.

Live-in arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.

Browse babysitters

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

Rochester sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Rochester, MN typically costs about 4% more than the Minnesota average of $18/hour and 1% more than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Rochester, MN and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Rochester, MN
Rochester, MN$19/hr
Minnesota$18/hr-3%
United States$19/hr-1%

Where Rochester, MN fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.87/hour in Mankato to $20.17/hour in Minneapolis.

Below: how each compares to the Rochester, MN average of $18.99/hour — Rochester, MN is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Rochester, MN ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Rochester, MN
1Minneapolis$20.17+6%
2Maple Grove$19.66+4%
3Saint Paul$19.15+1%
4Lakeville$19.12+1%
Rochester$18.99
6Woodbury$18.82-1%
7St. Cloud$17.64-7%
8Blaine$17.33-9%
9Duluth$17.11-10%
10Mankato$16.87-11%
Most expensive nearby: Minneapolis ($20.17) Least expensive nearby: Mankato ($16.87)

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 Rochester, 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 Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN

187 active listings in Rochester

Briana R. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Briana

Rochester, MN
$16 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Briana Robinson. I am currently attending Winona State University for a degree in Business Administration. I’m an older sister to two boys. I have years of experience taking care of my brothers, cousins, and godbabies. Please contact me for any other questions!

Have experience working with

Infants
Samantha V. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Samantha

Rochester, MN
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Samantha, and I have experience caring for children of all ages, from infants to pre-teens, through my work as a daycare teacher. I love creating a fun, safe, and supportive environment where kids can feel comfortable and engaged.

I enjoy spending time outdoors, doing arts and crafts, and cooking or baking. I love coming up with creative activities that keep kids entertained and learning. I’m patient, dependable, and easy to get along with, and I’m excited to find a great family to work with!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Grace F. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Grace

Rochester, MN
$15 - $35/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Grace and I have a huge love for children. I have been working at a daycare for the past 6 years and have worked with all age groups ranging from six weeks to 12 years old. I would absolutely love to be a part of your children’s life and watch them grow alongside you.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Rachael R. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Rachael

Rochester, MN
$20 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I'm Rachael, I am from Wisconsin but have been a Minnesota transplant since this past summer :) I have experience nannying for two years with a family and their 1-2-year-old in Minneapolis and as a summer nanny for a 8 and 10-year-old with Type 1 diabetes. I also spent some summers working as a summer-camp counselor and I am now an RN, which I love, but I work with adults and miss the fun of helping kids learn and grow!

Outside of work, I like to go hiking, read, learn about plants, and try new crafts (currently crocheting and diamond painting!)

I am happy to help once or on a recurring basis, just reach out and I'd love to chat more about what you're looking for!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Julie B. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Julie

Rochester, MN
$20/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

Hello everyone, my name is Julie.
I’m French and usually work as a nurse anesthetist. I’m in Rochester for a little while.
I’m available and would be more than happy to babysit your children whenever you need me!
I’ve been taking care of children since I was very young!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Olive E. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Olive

Rochester, MN
$20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi there! I'm Olive, a college sophomore with 3+ years of professional childcare experience. I've worked with children ranging from infants to teens in nursery, daycare, and babysitting settings—always prioritizing patience, compassion, and communication. I am looking for work this summer from mid-May until mid-August; I would be happy to work intermittently as a babysitter or regularly as a nanny, and would also be willing to help out with household tasks. References available upon request!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Danna C. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Danna

Rochester, MN
$20/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I'm Danna and I'm a dedicated childcare provider with a passion for nurturing and educating children. My 2-year experience has equipped me with the skills to create a safe and stimulating environment for your child, I have one year of experience as psychologist working with infants, toddlers and teenagers, and another year as Aupair taking care of a wonderful 2 years old boy and 13mo little man. With patience, creativity, and a friendly approach, I ensure that each child feels valued and supported.

Communication is key, so I provide regular updates on your child's day and address any concerns promptly. I firmly believe in upholding household rules while maintaining a nurturing environment.

From outdoor adventures to educational games, I foster a diverse range of play activities that encourage physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Karen B. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Karen

Rochester, MN
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to assist a family with their childcare needs. As a mother of grown children and an experienced professional at Mayo Clinic developing tests in a chemistry lab, I bring both maternal wisdom and reliability to the table. I am seeking part-time, weekend hours to offer valuable and loving care for your children. Additionally, if your household includes dogs, rest assured I am very competent and comfortable around pets.

Looking forward to the possibility of working together.

Best regards,
Karen Borup

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Rae D. - Seeking Work in Rochester

Nanny Rae

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

A little bit about me

My name is Rae, I'm a 2027 graduate at Century High School, I love being creative and uplifting others. My greatest strengths are curiosity, spirituality, communication, and sense of humor!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
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