Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a babysitter cost in Cape Fear, NC in 2026?

In Cape Fear, NC, the average babysitter earns about $17.42 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $697/week or $3,019/month. Most Cape Fear families pay somewhere in the $8–$22/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$17.42/hr · Cape Fear average

These numbers come from 71 live babysitter listings in Cape Fear on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$697
$3,019
$36,234

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What drives the price

Most Cape Fear families pay somewhere in the $8–$22/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 $16.24/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $19.20/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)$17.42
2 kids~$18.42
3+ kids~$19.42+

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$18.77/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$17.51/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.

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How do Cape Fear babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?

Cape Fear sits close to the national average for babysitter rates.

Hiring babysitters in Cape Fear, NC typically costs about 12% more than the North Carolina average of $16/hour and 4% more than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Cape Fear, NC and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Cape Fear, NC
Cape Fear, NC$17/hr
North Carolina$16/hr-11%
United States$17/hr-3%

Where Cape Fear, NC fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.95/hour in Jacksonville to $17.84/hour in Asheville.

Below: how each compares to the Cape Fear, NC average of $17.42/hour.

Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate

10 cities near Cape Fear, NC ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Cape Fear, NC
1Asheville$17.84+2%
2Charlotte$17.80+2%
3Durham$17.68+1%
4Raleigh$17.47
5Wilmington$16.49-5%
6Winston Salem$15.36-12%
7Greensboro$14.67-16%
8Greenville$13.73-21%
9Fayetteville$13.65-22%
10Jacksonville$12.95-26%
Most expensive nearby: Asheville ($17.84) Least expensive nearby: Jacksonville ($12.95)

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 Cape Fear, NC

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 Cape Fear, NC

    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 Cape Fear, NC

71 active listings in Cape Fear

Ellsie F. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Ellsie

Cape Fear, NC
$17/hr
Part-time
Occasional
7 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Ellsie and I moved to Wilmington in 2024! I have a great amount of experience with kids from being a lifeguard, to a gymnastics coach, as well as a nanny with references from past families. I have always loved spending time with kids and I do my best to make it a fun time that your kid will look forward to! Get in touch and I would be so happy to help you out :)

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Tareva-Chiné J. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Tareva-Chiné

Cape Fear, NC
$15.40/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is tareva, I love singing, dancing and most importantly taking care of children! I'm a sophomore in high school and I take honors classes, I hope you can consider me to take care of your children

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Alana R. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Alana

Cape Fear, NC
$20/hr
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

I am a recent graduate from UNC who has some time off before going to dental school! I have been teaching swim lessons and babysitting for many years, mostly for children 3-12 years old but open to experience with younger. I was a competitive swimmer growing up and have been lifeguarding at the pool as well as doing ocean rescue for about 6 years. I love going to the beach, working out, move nights, public service, and baking!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sofia C. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Sofia

Cape Fear, NC
$16/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
< 1 year experience

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Bryce M. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Bryce

Cape Fear, NC
$15/hr
Occasional
1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I'm looking for jobs working with those with special needs, as I have work and volunteer experience with that demographic. Or children aged eight years and older.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Svetlana K. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Svetlana

Cape Fear, NC
$15/hr
Occasional
10+ years experience

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Thomas D. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Thomas

Cape Fear, NC
$20/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Rylee C. - Seeking Work in Cape Fear

Nanny Rylee

Cape Fear, NC
$14/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a student at UNCW, and am wanting a job to help pay for school. I love working with kids and am willing to feed, drive, and clean!

Have experience working with

Special Needs
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