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 $15.67 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $627/week or $2,716/month. Most Fargo families pay somewhere in the $7–$21/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 741 live babysitter listings in Fargo on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $627
- Monthly
- $2,716
- Annual
- $32,594
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What drives the price
Most Fargo families pay somewhere in the $7–$21/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) | $15.67 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$16.67 |
| 3+ kids | ~$17.67+ |
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 | $16.53/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $15.83/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $16.82/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $16.95/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 rates here run higher than live-out — uncommon, but typically reflects specialty demand for around-the-clock or live-in newborn care. 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 $15/hour and 7% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Fargo, ND |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | $16/hr | — |
| North Dakota | $15/hr | -3% |
| United States | $17/hr | +7% |
Where Fargo, ND fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $13.30/hour in Minot to $15.93/hour in West Fargo.
Below: how each compares to the Fargo, ND average of $15.67/hour — Fargo, ND is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Fargo, ND | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Fargo | $15.93 | +2% | |
| 2 | Lincoln | $15.91 | +2% | |
| 3 | Fargo | $15.67 | — | |
| 4 | Bismarck | $15.64 | — | |
| 5 | Williston | $15.26 | -3% | |
| 6 | Mandan | $15.17 | -3% | |
| 7 | Dickinson | $14.80 | -6% | |
| 8 | Grand Forks | $14.77 | -6% | |
| 9 | Jamestown | $14.57 | -7% | |
| 10 | Minot | $13.30 | -15% |
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
741 active listings in Fargo
Nanny Ekira
Nanny Ekira
A little bit about me
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Nanny Elizabeth
Nanny Elizabeth
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Certifications
Nanny Presley
Nanny Presley
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Have experience working with
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Nanny Lucy
Nanny Lucy
A little bit about me
Certifications
Nanny Aidan
Nanny Aidan
A little bit about me
I come from a large family and have had experience in childcare from a young age as a result, being the go-to resource to take care of my many nieces and nephews since I was 14. I am caring, attentive, passionate, and understanding, and I always put forth my all in everything that I do, especially when doing something as important as taking care of children - those most precious to us.
Should you place your trust in me to care for your child, I will ensure to go above and beyond your expectations for me, working to not only watch over and protect your child, but also working diligently to foster a meaningful bond with them at the same time.