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.

Average hourly rate$17.78/hr · Cary average

These numbers come from 372 live babysitter listings in Cary on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$711
$3,082
$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.


01

Experience

More experienced babysitters command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $17.24/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $20.17/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)$17.78
2 kids~$18.78
3+ kids~$19.78+

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$19.50/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$18.29/hr
Occasional5–15 hrs/week$18.61/hr
Live-inSet 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.

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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.

Average hourly babysitters rates compared across Cary, NC and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. 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

10 cities near Cary, NC ranked by average hourly babysitter rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Cary, NC
1Asheville$17.84
2Charlotte$17.80
3Durham$17.68-1%
4Raleigh$17.47-2%
5Wilmington$16.49-7%
6Winston Salem$15.36-14%
7Greensboro$14.67-17%
8Greenville$13.73-23%
9Fayetteville$13.65-23%
10Jacksonville$12.95-27%
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 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:

  1. 01

    Browse babysitter profiles in Cary, 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 Cary, NC

372 active listings in Cary

Emily C. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Emily

Cary, NC
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

I am 19 years old, I play D2 volleyball in NY. I am a very happy and bubbly person, I love art, reading, writing, painting, etc. I love kids and pets too!!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Gabby G. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Gabby

Cary, NC
$18/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Gabby and I am 18 years old. Im very creative, reliable and compassionate. I work well with all types of children! Feel free to reach out!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Takiyah B. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Takiyah

Cary, NC
$18/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I am a charismatic, empathetic, and organized individual who works exceptionally well with children of all ages. With a natural ability to connect, communicate, and create a positive environment, I strive to make every child feel supported and valued. My empathetic nature allows me to understand each child’s unique needs, while my organizational skills help maintain structure and consistency in daily routines. I take my role seriously and approach every responsibility with professionalism, care, and dedication to providing a safe and nurturing experience.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Francisca A. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Francisca

Cary, NC
$17/hr
Occasional
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I’m Francisca! I love kids and have been working with them since I was about 13. Whether it’s helping with homework, playing games, or just being a calm and caring presence, I truly enjoy spending time with children and making sure they feel safe and supported. I’m patient, responsible, and always bring a positive attitude. I’m also certified in babysitting and CPR, so safety is always a top priority. My goal is to create a fun and nurturing environment where kids can be themselves and parents can feel confident they’re in good hands.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Rebekah S. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Rebekah

Cary, NC
$20 - $25/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my name is Rebekah! I have been babysitting for more than 6 years. Some hobbies I enjoy are art, crafts, piano, cooking/baking, and anything outdoors (kayaking, biking, hiking). I am a nursing student at Liberty University in VA, going into my 3rd year this fall.

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.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kourtni M. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Kourtni

Cary, NC
$17/hr
Occasional
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kourtni! I’m 18 and i love kids of all ages and babysitting is a great opportunity to make some extra money and a great start to my career with children!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Keara D. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Keara

Cary, NC
$17.29/hr
Occasional
2 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m 17 years old and always wanted to babysit their children because i’ve always had a passion in helping other parents out when times get hard I have a 4.0 GPA and i’m an athlete I will be going to college of fall 2025 talking nursing to become a nicu traveling nurse

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Promise H. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Promise

Cary, NC
$18 - $21/hr
Full-time
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Promise, and I’d love to offer babysitting and tutoring services for your family. I’m 18 years old and currently a student at Howard University. I have six years of experience caring for children of all ages, and I’ve also taught a variety of subjects, especially STEM and reading.

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!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sarah L. - Seeking Work in Cary

Nanny Sarah

Cary, NC
$27 - $30/hr
Part-time
Occasional
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, my name is Sarah Leonard. I am a career nanny and have worked with newborns all the way through 5 year olds. Through the years, I have worked in a four star childcare facility as a lead teacher, as a nanny for an infants, and am currently a nanny for twins!
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.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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