Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
In St. Louis, MO, the average babysitter earns about $18.67 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $747/week or $3,236/month. Most St. Louis families pay somewhere in the $14–$28/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$18.67/hr · St. Louis average
These numbers come from 496 live babysitter listings in St. Louis on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $747
- Monthly
- $3,236
- Annual
- $38,834
Find babysitters near you
What drives the price
Most St. Louis families pay somewhere in the $14–$28/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 $18.05/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $21.36/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
| 1 kid (baseline) | $18.67 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$19.67 |
| 3+ kids | ~$20.67+ |
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.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in babysitter rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $20/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $18.87/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $19.08/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.35/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 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.
How do St. Louis babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
St. Louis sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.
Hiring babysitters in St. Louis, MO typically costs about 6% more than the Missouri average of $18/hour and 3% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | $19/hr | — |
| Missouri | $18/hr | -6% |
| United States | $19/hr | +3% |
Where St. Louis, MO fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $16.28/hour in Springfield to $18.85/hour in Kansas City.
Below: how each compares to the St. Louis, MO average of $18.67/hour — St. Louis, MO is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. St. Louis, MO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $18.85 | +1% | |
| 2 | St. Peters | $18.78 | +1% | |
| 3 | St. Louis | $18.67 | — | |
| 4 | Saint Charles | $18.52 | -1% | |
| 5 | Wentzville | $17.90 | -4% | |
| 6 | Lee's Summit | $17.78 | -5% | |
| 7 | Independence | $17.32 | -7% | |
| 8 | Columbia | $17.04 | -9% | |
| 9 | Joplin | $16.35 | -12% | |
| 10 | Springfield | $16.28 | -13% |
● Most expensive nearby: Kansas City ($18.85)● Least expensive nearby: Springfield ($16.28)
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 St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, MO
496 active listings in St. Louis
Nanny Hadley
Nanny Hadley
St. Louis, MO
$20 - $25/hr
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Hadley, I'm 22 years old, and I am from Bozeman, Montana! I recently graduated from Marquette University in May 2026 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Welfare and Justice! I just moved to the St. Louis Area to attend WashU's Brown School to work towards my Master's in social work.
I have a wealth of experience in working with children, including babysitting, working as a teacher's aide in a daycare, providing literacy tutoring to elementary aged children through the Boy's and Girl's Club, providing clinical play-based therapy for children on the Autism spectrum, and interning as a school social worker at a K4-8th grade school.
I find so much fulfillment in working with children and watching them learn and grow, and am hoping to eventually become a school social worker!
Outside of academics and work, I love to read, thrift, needlepoint, try new recipes, and hang out with my cat! I look forward to meeting you and your family :)
I have a wealth of experience in working with children, including babysitting, working as a teacher's aide in a daycare, providing literacy tutoring to elementary aged children through the Boy's and Girl's Club, providing clinical play-based therapy for children on the Autism spectrum, and interning as a school social worker at a K4-8th grade school.
I find so much fulfillment in working with children and watching them learn and grow, and am hoping to eventually become a school social worker!
Outside of academics and work, I love to read, thrift, needlepoint, try new recipes, and hang out with my cat! I look forward to meeting you and your family :)
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kiliana
Nanny Kiliana
St. Louis, MO
$15 - $20/hr
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m a caring and responsible babysitter who absolutely loves kids and enjoys spending time with them. I’m CPR and First Aid certified, so you can feel confident knowing your little ones are in safe hands. I love staying active, playing with kids, and keeping them entertained, and I also enjoy cooking and making fun meals and snacks. I’d love the opportunity to care for your family!
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Jeldin
Nanny Jeldin
St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I'm Jeldin and my love for kids started from my 4 younger brothers who I often took care of. I can also do light housework and a bit of cooking. I'm a Filipino but I can speak in English.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certification
First Aid
Nanny Tiffany
Nanny Tiffany
St. Louis, MO
$23 - $30/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
10+ years experience
A little bit about me
Hi! I’m Tiffany, and I’ve been working with children for over half my life. I taught Pre-K for 8½ years, including 4½ years at a prestigious preschool in University City, where I grew from assistant teacher to lead teacher. For the past two years, I’ve worked as a full-time nanny for two wonderful families.
I’m CPR and First Aid certified and have experience with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. My teaching background and Reggio Emilia philosophy help me create fun, engaging activities that encourage learning through play, creativity, and exploration.
I believe in a warm, structured environment where children feel safe, loved, and confident. My discipline style is firm but gentle, with a focus on emotional regulation, independence, and problem-solving.
I’m looking for a long-term nanny position beginning in mid-August. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, art, music, and reading. I’d love to become a trusted, dependable part of your family’s support system!
I’m CPR and First Aid certified and have experience with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. My teaching background and Reggio Emilia philosophy help me create fun, engaging activities that encourage learning through play, creativity, and exploration.
I believe in a warm, structured environment where children feel safe, loved, and confident. My discipline style is firm but gentle, with a focus on emotional regulation, independence, and problem-solving.
I’m looking for a long-term nanny position beginning in mid-August. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, art, music, and reading. I’d love to become a trusted, dependable part of your family’s support system!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Recent reference
"Tiffany was our nanny for my younger son and we had a beyond excellent experience! She was kind, patient, reliable and so good with our son. I instantly was impressed with her extensive childcare experience and knowledge. She also was great with our older son, and could care for both of them when needed in a seamless manner."
- Jamie
Nanny Autumn
Nanny Autumn
St. Louis, MO
$19/hr
Occasional
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hey I’m a dependable and caring babysitter who loves working with kids. I’m patient, responsible, and enjoy creating a fun and safe environment for children of all ages.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Gavin
Nanny Gavin
St. Louis, MO
$15.50 - $20/hr
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
Hi! My name is Gavin, and I recently turned 18. I’m currently working toward earning my GED and am looking for an opportunity to help families by providing reliable childcare.
While I don’t have formal babysitting experience, I do have experience house sitting, which has taught me to be responsible, dependable, and respectful of other people’s homes. I also spend time with my girlfriend’s 10-year-old cousin, and we get along really well. He’s always excited to see me, and I enjoy playing games, talking with him, and making sure he has a good time.
I’ve been told that I’m easy to get along with, patient, and dependable. I’m eager to learn, follow parents’ routines and instructions, and provide a safe, fun, and caring environment for children. I understand that trust is important when choosing a babysitter, and I’m committed to being someone families can rely on.
While I don’t have formal babysitting experience, I do have experience house sitting, which has taught me to be responsible, dependable, and respectful of other people’s homes. I also spend time with my girlfriend’s 10-year-old cousin, and we get along really well. He’s always excited to see me, and I enjoy playing games, talking with him, and making sure he has a good time.
I’ve been told that I’m easy to get along with, patient, and dependable. I’m eager to learn, follow parents’ routines and instructions, and provide a safe, fun, and caring environment for children. I understand that trust is important when choosing a babysitter, and I’m committed to being someone families can rely on.
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certification
CPR
Nanny Alana
Nanny Alana
St. Louis, MO
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
4 years experience
A little bit about me
For the past few years, I’ve worked in the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis as a Behavior Technician. My role involved working 1:1 with children diagnosed with Autism, and ADHD in clinical and home based settings. I excel at implementing meal routines, changing diapers, providing positive reinforcement, dealing with challenging behaviors, and teaching functional communication skills.
I love being active, planning creative activities, and helping daily routines run smoothly for busy parents. I am highly reliable, comfortable with pets, and focused on building a strong, trusting relationship with both you and your children. I’d love to chat about how I can support your family!
I love being active, planning creative activities, and helping daily routines run smoothly for busy parents. I am highly reliable, comfortable with pets, and focused on building a strong, trusting relationship with both you and your children. I’d love to chat about how I can support your family!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Nanny Kate
Nanny Kate
St. Louis, MO
$18/hr
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Hi, I'm Kate Germano! I just recently graduated from Eastern Illinois University. I am going to play soccer professionally in Greece at the end of the summer, and I am hoping to work all summer until I leave!
Nanny Samaya
Nanny Samaya
St. Louis, MO
$15 - $17/hr
Part-time
Occasional
1 year experience
A little bit about me
I am a newly graduated high school student, I am enrolled into Harris Stowe University where I will be studying and majoring in Health Sciences to become a travel nurse. I absolutely adore working with children and have much experience in that field, since I have cared for and practically raised my two younger siblings and learning more about caring for babies and small children just at the age of 15! I’m super thrilled and looking forward to working!
Have experience working with
Infants
Certification
CPR