Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Fargo, ND in 2026?
In Fargo, ND, the average babysitter earns about $17 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $680/week or $2,947/month. Most Fargo families pay somewhere in the $10–$23/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 257 live babysitter listings in Fargo on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $680
- Monthly
- $2,947
- Annual
- $35,360
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What drives the price
Most Fargo families pay somewhere in the $10–$23/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 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19+ |
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 | $17.82/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $17.29/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $17.51/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $18.01/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 rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears.The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.
How do Fargo babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Fargo runs below the U.S. average for babysitter rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring babysitters in Fargo, ND typically costs about 3% more than the North Dakota average of $17/hour and 11% less than the United States average of $19/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Fargo, ND |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | $17/hr | — |
| North Dakota | $17/hr | -2% |
| United States | $19/hr | +12% |
Where Fargo, ND fits among nearby cities
6 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.36/hour in Minot to $17.49/hour in Prairie Rose.
Below: how each compares to the Fargo, ND average of $17.00/hour — Fargo, ND is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Fargo, ND | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prairie Rose | $17.49 | +3% | |
| 2 | West Fargo | $17.18 | +1% | |
| 3 | Fargo | $17.00 | — | |
| 4 | Bismarck | $16.89 | -1% | |
| 5 | Grand Forks | $16.25 | -4% | |
| 6 | Minot | $15.36 | -10% |
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 Fargo, ND
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 Fargo, ND
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 Fargo, ND
257 active listings in Fargo
Nanny Alexus
Nanny Alexus
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Nanny Leah
Nanny Leah
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Nanny Cina
Nanny Cina
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Nanny Elizabeth
Nanny Elizabeth
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Nanny Savannah
Nanny Savannah
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Nanny Kayla
Nanny Kayla
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Nanny Presley
Nanny Presley
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Nanny Harper
Nanny Harper
A little bit about me
I have 3 years of paid experience with a family here in Madison, and coming from a family with 5 younger siblings, I have definitely been around the chaos and love it! I also have professional experience working with individuals with mental and developmental disabilities, which has given me a lot of patience and a specialized approach to care. I love being active, exploring the outdoors, and keeping kiddos engaged. I'd love to chat if you're looking for some summer help!