Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Cary, NC in 2026?
In Cary, NC, the average babysitter earns about $17.78 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $711/week or $3,082/month. Most Cary families pay somewhere in the $8–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 372 live babysitter listings in Cary on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $711
- Monthly
- $3,082
- Annual
- $36,982
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What drives the price
Most Cary families pay somewhere in the $8–$25/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $17.78 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.78 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.78+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $19.50/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $18.29/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $18.61/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.14/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 Cary babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Cary runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring babysitters in Cary, NC typically costs about 15% more than the North Carolina average of $16/hour and 6% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | $18/hr | — |
| North Carolina | $16/hr | -13% |
| United States | $17/hr | -5% |
Where Cary, 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 Cary, NC average of $17.78/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Cary, NC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $17.84 | — | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $17.80 | — | |
| 3 | Durham | $17.68 | -1% | |
| 4 | Raleigh | $17.47 | -2% | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $16.49 | -7% | |
| 6 | Winston Salem | $15.36 | -14% | |
| 7 | Greensboro | $14.67 | -17% | |
| 8 | Greenville | $13.73 | -23% | |
| 9 | Fayetteville | $13.65 | -23% | |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $12.95 | -27% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Cary, 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:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Cary, NC
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 Cary, NC
372 active listings in Cary
Nanny Emily
Nanny Emily
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Nanny Gabby
Nanny Gabby
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Nanny Takiyah
Nanny Takiyah
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Nanny Francisca
Nanny Francisca
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Nanny Rebekah
Nanny Rebekah
A little bit about me
I am currently looking for a position for this summer in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area from around mid-May to August. I absolutely love working with kids and infants! My plan after graduation is to start working as either a pediatric or labor and delivery nurse.
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Nanny Kourtni
Nanny Kourtni
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Nanny Keara
Nanny Keara
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Nanny Promise
Nanny Promise
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I am a Gold Award Girl Scout and currently work as a CNA. I also have past experience as an animal care assistant at a doggy daycare, so pets are never an issue. I’m fully vaccinated, CPR certified, and trained in babysitting basics.
I’m available throughout the school year until breaks, and I’d be excited to support your family however I can.
Thank you for considering me!
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Nanny Sarah
Nanny Sarah
A little bit about me
I have a passion for working with young children and helping them achieve their next milestone and having those light bulb moments. I love creating developmentally appropriate activities for children to help them learn as much as possible while still having fun. When taking care of children, I enjoy having fun with them in a calm, fun, and playful manner. I look forward to talking to you and your family.